1G (1998-2006) S80 Forum

Feature my ride Mark forum as read and return

Hello to all,
I am considering an 03 s80 t6 w/ 37k miles and am very concerned about my possible purchase. I drive a 98 bmw740il and have enough to handle. I said to myself- just trade in her accord and get the safest car in the world! I also post on a BMW forum and I know forums are usually to complain and get help _ I thank God for my forum everytime it's time to take out the tools - I've saved thousands thanks to forums like this...that is why I am here to truly ask for opinions on this car. I truly thank you guys in advance for your help!!!!

ps What does the built in phone do/In my car we have it where we can connect our own w/ bluetooth...Thanks!

Joe - Maybe a new s80 owner???

Hi all:

I've received the message that I'm low on coolant for my 2001 S80 T6. I'm wondering if it's essential that I use the Volvo Genuine Coolant/Antifreeze?

Thanks, BC

i have been interested in installing blow off valves on my t6 i was told to look for the blow off valves on the stock engine but have had no luck....did this model come with them stock its a 2002 s80 t6 and if so where are they? please help ive searched all over the internet with no help yall are my last chance!!!! thank you

Hi all,
Does anyone know what the small radiator is for which is about 2-3inches high and positioned in front of the main radiator? It's leaking red fluid and I can't tell if it's power steering or transmission fluid as they are both red! Has anyone replaced it before and/or know difficult it is the change and the approx. cost for a replacement rad?

Thanks,
Sam
'00 S80 2.9 geartronic

Guys i would appreciate any help you can offer,

I have a 1999 Volvo S80 and the car has been smelling like gas the last week. i took it to the delaer and he told me it was a gasket somewhere close to the fuel cap and wanted to charge me $1300 for the work and part!!!!!

The light has turned on twice telling me that the fuel cap is not tightened properly, but i know for a fact that it was properly on. this obviosuly shows me that there is a gas leak somewhere and the smell of fuel is being released when it shouldnt be.

Has anyone had any experiences with this before, or can offer any help at all?

Thank you in advance

Mike

This may have been hashed over previously, but being a newbee thought I'd
ask just in case....My turbo S80 has a definate hesitation upon rapid acceleration, certainly not present upon normal movement....Does anyone have a solution or is it the nature of the beast, or must I go to the dealer.?? Your answer as always is much appreciated...

Washer reservoir is full but suddenly I have low pressures. Jets used to hit mid-windshield. Now they barely make it to the bottom 1/3 of the windshield. Any experience out there with this?

Just my second post, the first one was answered post haste and much
appreciated....Question: Is there a place I can adjust the headlights on my 2002
S80, T-6...On low beam, its way to low..High beam fine..?? Another comment.,
do the Volvos come with the factory Compass installed....I do not seem to have one, nor does the owners manual mention them...Would seem to me with all the other features, a compass should have been standard., or maybe its an option on different models...As always, many thanks for your replys.....John

Hi,
I've got a 2000MY S80 2.9 with a suspected PAS fluid leak (not unusual from what I have read from previous posts!) However, the place that it is leaking from does seem to be strange. I just wondered if anyone else had found a leak from his location.

I removed the small front undertray (just behind the front bumper area) so I could see the underside of the radiator area. There were drips of red fluid (I presume PAS fluid) forming on the small radiator (about 2-3 inches high) positioned just in front and at the bottom of the main one (is this the PAS radiator?) I was expecting to find a leak from where the pipes join the radiator, however, it appear to be leaking from both ends of the radiator. If I leave the engine idling, the red fluid seems to form in drips on either end of the radiator (where the vanes join the end bracket areas.) I can't see exactly where it's coming from but I was surprised to see it leaking from both ends at the same time. I would have thought it would just leak from one end? Is this normal? Is this a sign that the radiator has failed or could it be coming from somewhere else and the radiator is just the lowest point and so this is where the drips form?

Sorry for all the questions and thanks for any advice you guys can provide.

Sam
'00 S80 2.9SE Geartronic

any suggestions on an extended warranty for a s80 T6 2000. I have found the warranty direct Power Shield to be the most reliable based on info i have read.....any suggestions?

Lee

I have a 1999 S80 T6 with 75,000 miles on it. Recently, my abs and stc stopped working. This is a bit of a problem during a Michigan winter. The warning lights have been activating on and off for about 20,000 miles. The system would always return to normal after I restarted the car. Has anyone had this problem? I don't want to get screwed by a dealer if there is a simple fix. Thanks.

2001 S80 71,000 miles....

Hey, I have noticed that I have poor gas mileage in town, (13-14 MPG) but normal (27-28 MPG) on the highway. Does anyone have a suggestion as to what the probblem might be.

I've aslo been driving conservitavly,... not heavy footed...

Thanks for the HELP!!!!!

Jayson

It appears that I have some motor mount issues with my 2000 T6, but am having trouble isolating which one(s).

Symptom: Heavy vibration during acceleration which is felt through steering wheel and felt within the cabin. During low/cruising speeds the vibration is non existent.

I suspected the upper and lower torque rod mounts were bad, which I have replaced, but the vibration is still there full force. After dropping the subframe to pull ou tthe sump to replace the seals, the vibration incresed; maybe I did more damage to already bad mount(s)?

Any suggestions or ideas?

Thanks

Hi Y'all,

I have a 99 S80 now for over three years and I still admire and love the looks. This is my first problem I have had with the car (no joke) and I can not figure it out

I am replacing my headlight bulbs - Same brand, same bulbs, same brightness, but the left side does not work. I can not figure out why and stuck. Any help Volvo for Life members like me had this problem before. More importantly... Any suggestions.

Thanks in advance.

I am a new owner of a Volvo s80 T6. Enjoy the car just a few thing to get used to though. Every morning when I crank the car it runs rough for about 30 seconds, but then idles fine. It only does it the first time it is cranked everyday. Other thatn that time it cranks and runs fine the remainder of the day. Does anyone have any answers. Also can I put regular freon rather than volvo brand?

It started with the ABS warning light coming on. It would go off after turning the engine off and restarting. Sort of like rebooting your computer. It has not come on lately, but now there is a new warning light coming on. It is the "Security System Needs Service" warning. I'm wondering if theis is a sign of something like the car's computer is going bad or is it just time for a major service interval. The car has 116,000 miles.

anyone know how to reset the service warning light on a 1999 S80?

Hi there, just joined the forum today, I bought an 2001 S80 SE a couple of weeks ago.

Love the car, and the standard stereo and speakers are good, but I'm finding that the bass and treble seem to be struggling...

Does anyone have advice/experience in upgrading the speakers? I'm happy with the head unit, but if I need to replace that too let me know.

I'm also thinking of installing a hands free carphone cradle, can anyone recommend a good installer in London?

Thanks everyone,

Hello everyone. An hour ago, I had my '99 S80 parked in my driveway (which has a slight incline). After starting the car, when I tried to shift from park to drive, it simply would not move. The gear shifter will not move out of park I've had this problem before (where it sticks after parking on an incline), but usually after a bit of pulling it eventually slides into gear. Not this time. Any suggestions?

I bought my 2001 S80 in 2002, used with 25K miles. It has been driven on long trips of 400 - 700 miles several times a year in each of the 4 years I've owned it. On 4 occasions (roughly once a year) it has just stopped running during a trip, after at least a couple of hours of driving. Twice it started again within 15 minutes, and twice the car was towed off the freeway and then it re-started in about an hour. The dealer had it after both towing incidents but could not discover a problem. I recently took it to a trusted Volvo mechanic who tried for days to replicate the problem and couldn't. The incidents are quite frightening because the car simply quits and I need to coast to a stop on the shoulder. The transmission had to be replaced at 50K miles, but that was after the first 2 incidents.
Does anyone have experience with this type of problem and/or suggestions for a solution?

Thanks for your input,

Well, after speaking to Todd at Heico, I explored the idea if installing the Heico/VizuaLogic dual dvd setup in my S80. This kit is advertised towards the XC90, but will work in other models. Inquire with Heico. Depending on the width of your headrest posts they should be able to get you squared away on your P2 vehicle.

This setup blows the pants off the factory setup IMO (and I have factory RSE in my XC90). There are several advantages over the Volvo system:

1. Each passenger can decide what they want to watch. If my son looks over and wants to see what my daughter is watching, he just needs to aim the remote at his screen,hit "source", switch channels on the headphones, and vice versa. Big hit! Easily put, I don't know if multiplexed is the right word here but, if you have a different dvd in each screen, you can have any combo of the two you choose on the screen. Right now, Dora The Explorer is in the passenger side, and Spiderman is in the driver's side screen. By aiming at whatever screen you want and hitting source, you choose between "driver, "passenger", and "aux in". Neat!

2. The IR transmitters are built in to the screens. Volvo had the wise idea to mount ONE under the pass side screen. If you're sitting behind the driver, you either have to lean over slightly for clear sound, or you have to do what I did: Unscrew the transmitter and turn it slightly to the drivers side.

3. You just need to hit power and both screens will turn on and automatically start playing where the each dvd left off the last time. The Volvo system is always not sure if its gonna start where it left off last time or start over again. Either way, you have to hit play on the remote w/ the Volvo system.

4. The power can be turned on without the remote by hitting the button on the screens. The Volvo system MUST get a signal from the remote to turn on.

5. It's the same price as the Volvo system, but you get more features.

Install. Fairly easy...pulling the seat cover will same you time, as you need to access the bottom each post support. There are two tabs at the base of each support. See below, in this case, I removed the right side tab:

One needs to be removed so the bottom of the tube can accept the wires that come down the tubes.

Accessing the base of the tube is most easily done by removing several of the hog rings that secure the seat cover to the frame. I did it this way and just paid my local auto upholstery guy to resecure the seat cover with more hog rings at a mimimal cost. (Or you can just buy some hog ring pliers and new rings online).

Here's my naked seat, I'm holding the cables that were just routed through the base of the support tubes.


Here's a pic of the cables zip tied and routed to the base of the seat:


Here are the cables at the base of the seat and rear bench removed. The rear bench is easliy removed by just pulling straight up. There are two snap things that secure it down.


Now, time to hide the wires and send them on their way under the carpet to the rear of the bench:


Here they are after their journey:


Here's the brain. Very well designed. There are connections for passenger and driver side screen cables, one aux input, two aux outputs, and power connections. The fm modulator is built in to the brain as well. That's the lone black wire that's bundled up:


Here's a pic of the control box in it's new home. It MAY be re-located to the trunk, but it seems to work flawlessly under the bench seat:


Here's where I tapped power from. I decided to go a constant 12 volt route. I found a wire under the bench at the rear pass side that supplied 12 volts at all times, BUT loses power about 5-7 minutes after the key is taken out. (This was pure luck). That way, when I stop and get gas, the system remains playing, but If we go to the store and forget to turn it off , the circuit loses power and wont drain anything. I found my ground right next to the power lead. Here's the power connection:


Finally, the finished product. And FYI, I had to contort my **** to get this pic of both screens! Your welcome! And yes, the flash hit the pass side and that's why it looks so much lighter.


Very happy with the results. Zero engine noise by the way. The kit comes with an inline filter on the power line that seems to work great.

Still playing with the options, but wanted to share my initial thoughts. Hats off to Todd Henderson at Heico. He put up with a hell of a lot of emails and calls from me. Heico knows what customer service is allllll about.

They can be reached at 1-866-416-2111 and email is todd.henderson@heicosportivna.com
website is www.heicosportivna.com
(give em a call or email for the video stuff)
I welcome you thoughts!

Tim

PS, I love Modelo Negra if I helped anyone here decide to buy.

just looking for a few modifications to add to increase hp and torque. Are there any suggestions?

many thanks

My 02 S80 (96K) is going for a service on friday, think its going to be a pretty major one, a few niggling problems that will get sorted. Just wanted to ask what should be looked at for a car of this age and mileage? I have read on here about throttle bodies needing cleaning, i think mine may need this as sometimes when i am stationary i can hear the engine noise increasing then decreasing. My car is under warranty so i am also looking at what can be replaced under warranty for my car.

Hi Everyone,

I've been reading the forums for a few days now putting info together but there are a couple of things I still have questions about.

I got a 02 S80 T6 Elite with 38k in miles for about 17k. First off the car is awesome, lots of hp and a very smooth ride.

There are a few minor things that I have not been able to find info about. When I press on the brakes I'm getting a buzzing sound. (This is when i first start up the car for the first few times pressing the brakes). The brakes still work fine.

Other then that sometimes when I lightly press the acclerator the rpms will go up like 100-200 but then drop back to right where they were and then the engine will sound/feel like its stuggling. If I press on the gas harder it will go away.

I have no clue what either of these problems could be. Right now the car is in the shop under warranty for an oil leak. So far they have replaced both front drive axles and are still working on the PCV seals.

Also I know for a fact that the previous owner never took the car in for software upgrades @ Volvo. How much should I expect to pay to get software upgrades done to the car?

If anyone has info about what these issues could be or any other good info that I might want to have as a new owner please let me know. Thanks -Mark

What's typical 105,000 miles service? I could not find any water pump replacement service during the 105,000 miles service from the following site.
http://www.edgecombs.com/9901schedule.htm

Does this mean I just need to replace a fuel filter, serpentine belt, timing belt, timing belt tensioner? Which pulley I need to replace usually between drive belt pulley or timing belt idler pulley? I have read a volvo water pump is strong and usually it last over 200k miles if coolant is changed regularly. Anyway, what's typical service for 105,000 miles? Any helps?

At 105,000 Miles
-----------------------
75,500 Mile Service, plus:
Replace Fuel Filter
Replace Auxiliary Drive Belt
Replace Timing Belt & Tensioner*
$555.00
Parts & Labor
(5.5 Hours)
*(Recommend
Tensioner & Pulley replacement as well.)
---------------------------------

Howdy folks,

I've been reading on this forum about replacing the oil pan O-rings. I just started having this problem where the Low Oil Pressure-Stop Engine warning flashes twice while the Red Oil can light just flashes twice. It happens only after I've been driving the car for a while. Then it goes away. I have 111,500 miles on my Volvo S80.

Am I damaging my S80 by driving it with the warning periodically flashing?

Is there any other thing that can be happening to make this warning flash?

I'm hesitant to do this job myself since I do not have access to a lift. Can anyone tell me how many hours labor is involved at a shop for this?

Thanks for your advice.

Well, we bought our first Volvo last night! It's a 2001 S80 T6 Executive model. It's wonderfully nice!



I think we got a pretty good deal on it, and only went over the budget by about $5/month on the payments...

Ben

Hi, I have noticed that my rear right speaker has been making farting noises, so i assume that it is blown. I've decided to buy Alpine Type S speakers for the replacements. The problem is that im not sure how to get the originals out, do i have to unscrew some things to get to these speakers or does it just take a little leverage on the plastic covers to pop them off? If someone could please tell me i would be grateful. Thank you

Hi - I'm a first timer, be gentle with me!

I have a 2001 S80-t6 which I really enjoy. It's the most comfortable and toy loaded car I've ever had, but am now suffering from an intermittant surging fault that scares the living daylights out of me.

When coasting, often in traffic or approaching junctions, the rev counter begins to surge between 400 rpm and 1500rpm. This causes two problems, when the revs leap up, the automatic clutch engages and the car tries to leap forward, the second problem is when dropping to 400rpm, sometimes the engine can't recover and stalls.

A big Volvo suddenly cutting out at 40mph in the fast lane of the motorway is terrifying, I need to manouvre to a safe place to stop without power steering or power assisted brakes.

Another symptom is when the revs drop, the lights dip and the steering becomes heavy for a moment, pretty scary if you are halfway round a corner.

I've had it in the garage several times, each time they reset the computer and it is better for a week or two. They admit they don't know what to do next.

Anybody with advice??

I started out looking at S60 AWD but ended up on S80. Will buy an S80 for sure.

There are two good ones in the area. One is a 2003 black/tan 2.9 with 55000 miles and no any options. The selling point is the low price ~$16,995. The other is a 2004 moondust/beige 2.5T with 30000 miles, 17" wheels, back up senser, heated seat, just completed 30,000 service (2 year and 20000 mile Volve warrenty remaining). The 2004 one is in a really nice condition, like new. However, it is a little pricer ~$21,900.

I could pay cash for either so the money is not the object here. My question to the board is about the engine. I have never own a turbo engine car before. Is the 2.5T potentially more trouble some than the basic 2.9? Which one will have a better resell value? On paper, the 2.5T is a much better driving machine - high MPG yet much faster than the 2.9.

Nor do I ever own a black color car. I was told it is very difficult to keep it clean.

Any tips/advice will be greatly appreciated.

advice needed for a purchase on a 1999 s80 2.4 manual with a scary 176000 miles on it the person im buying from has it serviced every 10,000 miles and says he has the reciepts to back it up ,he does shows so travels 30,000 a year and has owned the car for 4 years anything i should look out for

Ok this may be the strangest post yet... Im driving home tonight about midnight and WHAM a hit a skunk damn skunk.... anyways I drive immediately to the carwash for an undercarriage spray.. as im driving i happen to check my speed and I see the check engine light flash on... I think to myself crap... my O2 sensors finally came back to haunt me after the code was cleared.. Then I think to myself the computer is pretty sensitive as are a lot of the other electronic things... SOMEONE PLEASE HELP COULD THIS HAVE [SIZE=14]ANY[SIZE=1]thing to do with hitting the skunk????

Hey all, I was wondering if the S80 T6 has a timing belt or timing chain? If it's a belt, how much of a pain is it to replace it?

Thanks

I have 1999 s80 my wife and I brought used last year at a dealership in SC. The car has been great until recently. It first started with the position light failure warning (which all the lights were working) then next the STC lights came on, next the ABS warning, the check engine, the SRS airbag, and the brake failure warning (which tells us to stop ASAP). Now the Dash looks like a Christmas tree or no lights at all. The car was running smooth with the warning lights on when we took it in to have it checked out at the dealership. After spending most of the day on diagnostic machine the car had 12 codes. The next day the service manager tells me that he is not 100% sure what the problem is. Then he tells me that the valves are bent or the seats are bad due to a compression test they done on the cylinders. 2 were at 140, the rest were 80 to 30. If this was the case the car would run ragged before we took it to be checked. But it ran fine with no skipping before, in fact, a local mechanic drove the car and stated that nothing was wrong mechanical but recommended we take it to the dealership in order to put it on the computer. The service manager told my wife it would take 3600.00 + to fix the motor and depending on which module was bad 1 to 2 thousand each with no guarantee that would fix the problem which he doesn't know for sure. I thought that all this diagnostics could pinpoint the problem. My wife paid