I've read through a number of the ETS failure posts and wanted to list my experience. My wife's '99 V70 T5 had a problem with extreme surging when cold. As there's no Volvo dealer on Maui, I took it to a shop recommended by the Honolulu dealer. They determined that it needed both the software upgrade and the throttle body replaced. Total was $1281.74.

I had received a letter Feb 2006 stating that the software would be covered. I called Volvo Custome Care Center (800-637-3774) to see if the throttle body was covered. The nice lady who answered told me that everything ETS related was covered and will be covered for 10 years/200000 miles. I called Volvo Parts & Service Warranty Rebates to confirm and they did say all was covered.

So, if you've had a ETS related problem and still have the receipts, call the above numbers to get your bucks back.

Thanks for the number mauivolvo!

I think I might have to make that call... I just took my car in for the recall work and it runs worse than ever (it stalls upon start up, fast stops periodically).

The lady at my local Volvo dealership, told me from the get go that she's never seen any car require anything more than the software upgrade (in that snooty tone)... I just got my car back Friday, and the phone call to Volvo will be happening tomorrow.

Cheers! :liebe011:

The lady you talked to at volvo is full of sh*t. I can't tell you how many ETM's I've had to replace under the 10year 200,000 mile warranty. Poop the hoood and look directly under the intake manifold at the ETM, if it has a white label it is the old style ETM that had all of the problems and is probably the culprit, if the label is yellow it is the updated module and has been replaced. I can't believe she told you that! I would complain to the dealerships service manager about her, there's a reason that the federal government made volvo warranty these ETM's for so long.

Even if it has a Yellow label on it doesn't mean all is good.

Have seen 100's of Yellow labels bad.

For the longest time they were replacing the White labels with the yellow labels but they were all still the same throttle body. Just a changed sticker.

I never said that the yellow lable modules never go bad. I was simply trying to tell them that the vehicle still has the factory ETM if it has a white lable, and that it may be the souce of the problem.

UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE

I just received a "IMPORTANT RECALL NOTICE" from Volvo concerning the ETS problems dated 12-22-2006. They've "...decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists..." The letter goes on to say it's a software problem but my and others experiences plus our resident ace Volvo tech know better.

Contact info if dealer is unable to answer questions:

7 Volvo Drive, Rockleigh, NJ 07647
1-800-458-1552
customercare@volvoforlife.com

If unable to have procedure performed without charge and within a reasonable time contact NHTSA at:

400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington D.C. 20590
1-888-327-4236
safercar.gov

ETS light came on on saturday, got my letter from volvo today, going to see the lovely people at Kundert Volvo next week! :banana:

If the software update doesn't do the job get the throttle body replaced.

Thanks for the heads up Maui! :57:

My ETC light came on this AM and won't go off. I never heard about or received any info for a recall notice. I just emailed the address from mauivolvo's post (thanks!) and I'll see what I get in return. Otherwise, I can anticipate replacing the whole throttle? That should be a nice Christmas gift for myself :rolleyes:

Have a fun day everyone!

All of you with throttle issues need to keep in mind that it's not a simple as saying to volvo "give me a new throttle." Volvo is requesting a very large amount of data from each car with throttle problems to prove that the throttle is in fact defective. We now also have to call our local volvo FTS/Service representitive and verify with them that the trottle is "bad." From there if they agree with the diagnosis they give an authorization code for replacment. Dealers are being very careful when condeming these throttles because if the test ok when returned to volvo the dealer will be billed back for the amount of the repair, about $2,000.

My 2001 V70 2.4t has just had its 3rd throttle replaced, this includes the original one with the vehicle. The car has 197,990 miles on it.. so the last throttle was replaced in the nick of time. My question to all of you (and to the dealer and they couldn't answer it) is HOW LONG WILL THIS NEW THROTTLE LAST?

I've had nothing but grief with this car. Prior to this model I LOVED my other volvos. Its so heartbreaking. This car has run like a piece of S%%*T most of the time -- and all because of the issue with the throttle design.

Not for a long time will I buy another Volvo.

AM