Took my '99 S80 T6 to local independent repair shop in the suburbs of Atlanta because my"Emission Service" light was on. Codes were pulled and they indicated that 2 oxygen sensors were bad and needed an air flow meter. Work done and labor almost $1500. Drove the car for a day or so and "Emission Service light reappears. Back to the shop, and this time codes say I need a brake booster part. Part and labor over $600. I was assured each time that the work would solve the "Emission" problem. The "Emission Service" light is once again on after a day. (1) Am I getting screwed here by this repair shop, or is this type of repair always a hit or miss issue? (2) Can anyone recommend an honest, reliable, knowledgeable independent repair shop in the Gwinnet County area of metro Atlanta?

The problem could be the throttle module. I would take it to a volvo dealership and have them pull the codes. If it is indeed the module. The warranty has been extended on the part and it will be covered. No only does it effect the emissions but if the problem is not solved then it will cause your car to stall and could prove very dangerous. It could prove to be worth the $100 or so to have the dealer look at it considering you are already out $2100. I hope this helps out.

I have had the ETM cleaned once and replaced once already, but maybe it's failed again.

Thanks

This past year was full of problems w/ my car and I was initially going to the dealer for everything. I was very dissapointed w/ the dealer so I decided to try a private mechanic and took my car to Volvo Service Center (southwest corner of Hyw 20 & Hyw 316 - Gwinnett County). I was happy with their service and plan to take my car back to them the next time something goes wrong (which will likely be soon). You might want to give them a try.

It seemed like everytime I brought my car to the dealer, they were finding new problems and as soon as it was "fixed" some other code would pop up and need to be fixed. I.e.: I brought the car in after the check engine light came on. They said it was a coil. Immediately after fixing that, the emissions light came on and they said the code was the etm. I said to hold off on the repairs and once I got the car home, I realized that I had the etm replaced less than a year ago. They agreed to fix under parts warranty so I brought the car back. They hooked my car up to their trusted computer and the etm code was no longer coming up. Instead, there was a new problem...the rear heated oxygen sensor needed to be replaced (to the tune of $900). I took it to Volvo Service Center to get a quote on the oxygen sensor. They tightened a loose vac hose and the code no longer popped up. The last straw w/ the dealer was the fact that when it was my dime to fix the etm, they were all about it. Once it was their dime (still under warranty), somehow, someway the code wasn't coming up and the repairs didn't need to be done. Seems a bit suspicious to me.

BTW - What repair shop in the ATL area did you take your car to?

I have used the Volvo Service Center many times, and most recently with my latest issues. However, I have this month spent $2000 with them trying to get "Emissions Service" issues corrected and the light is still on!! First they replaced 2 oxygen sensors and an airflow meter to fix the issue. Light off for a day. Took it back. They said it needed a brake booster which had a leak. Another $650, and guess what, the light is back on! As a customer what am I to believe? I seem to be throwing money away and not getting the issues corrected!

Bummer to hear that your problems have not been solved at the place that I thought would be helpful. Guess it's not the mechanics, it's the *@*# car... :devil:

Clearly with all the repairs I've had done over the years, this model car has issues. But, my frustration is in the fact that when you spend that much money to get repairs based on professional expertise, and the repairs don't get the job done, I can't keep replacing parts in HOPES that it will correct the problem.

You are not alone. The car is clearly a lemon. I have sunk around $6,000 into my S80 this year alone and it still has intermittent warning lights and sometimes won't even start.

The 99 was the first S80 and has many problems. Cut your losses and trade out of it. I have 2000 S80 T6 w/125K miles on it and owned it for about 4 months now. I had to put about $1,200 in it, but I only paid $6,500 for it. The car runs like a dream. I love it and can't wait to get in every morning to go to work. But so long as the engine and transmission stay strong I will keep it, but will not hesistate to sale it if one of these two start showing symptoms. Sorry your car sucks. :thumbsup:

I too had the Emission Service light on my car light up. I just kept driving it like that for a whole year thinking if I should sell the money pit. The car ran OK except that the exhaust smelt of Sulphur all the time. When I finally did take it in and had a diagnostic done, it too said that all 4 O2 sensors had to be changed. However, I asked them to look at the intake system and then they discovered a hose had busted. That was repaired and now the diagnostic reads that the O2 sensors are within paramaters. Check all the hoses first and have the crankcase ventilation cleaned with compressed air. See if that helps. Clean the air flow meter too. Just use standard pliers to grip the rim of the screws and turn them off. Blast the 2 wires with some contact cleaner spray and then replace the screws with regular screws. Never thouch those wires. Chuck those stupid 5-lug torx screws away...

It seems that it's time to get tough with this Volvo dealer. I would bypass the Service Manager and bring all of the receipts to the General Manager. You may need to get vocal with his staff....but demand that he discuss these issues with you. All dealers are rated on Customer Satisfaction....and a GM HATES dissatisfied customers. At the very least....you may get attention from a more qualified mechanic and a possible resolution. You may also get some $$$ back, (don't hold your breath for that).

One of the biggest problems with these 99-00 Volvo's is software glitches. Has the on board computer systems been updated with the newer software? The original computer software was 75% of the problems that plagued the 99-00 S80's.

Many similar issues with my 2000 T6. First was the Check Emissions light. Said it was a MAF sensor and some emission system valve. Worked okay for a couple days but I then started getting RPM dips when idling. It even stall a couple of times.

The short version is that is went into the shop 5 times in 6 weeks. Got a newer ETM during the work but it didn't correct the stalling. By visit #3, I was on their dime. Finally, the Area Rep got involved and on visit #5, he finally figured out that it was a transmission download that was causing the stalling.

Did you know that these cars shift into neutral low at low RPM without your knowledge? Yep, they do. Supposed to save gas or something. Anyway, my tranny software had been modified a couple years ago for better responsiveness but apparently as other components aged, it screwed up the idle. Once the new download was in place, I had no further stall problems.

In the end, I paid about $650 to cover the original MAF sensor and a couple of emission-related valves. The rest of the work was covered by North Point Volvo (Alpharetta, GA). I was happy with them overall.

BTW, for those of you needing ETM work (recall, etc.), keep in mind that this isn't a true recall but a "we'll fix it if it is determined to be faulty". And, they won't replace it until you have been inconvenienced beyond belief, i.e. , 2-3 visits before replacement (#1 = SW download; if still a problem:#2 = clean the ETM; if still a problem:#3 = replace). According to the Service Manager at NPV, his hands are tied by these procedures as they come down from on high.

sorry to hear about your problems.
my 99 S80 has 135K miles on it. Other than brake pads and rotors only other two issues were throttle body- had emission lites with numerous codes. it finally just died one day, towed to dealer and they replaced under warranty.
Second issue was STC/ABS intermittent lite. Dealer wanted to do various changes. I opted to send ABS controller to an independent repair place. Cost was $7 for the star socket and about $150 for repair to include shipping.
Fixed the ABS, STC and emission service light that dealer said was gas cap.

I feel so bad for you and all other owners of 99-00 volvo S-80s! I am a volvo technician for a local dealer, and all I can say is these cars have made a very comfortable living for me. If you own this vehicle and the emissions service message appears, 99% of the time it is due to the ETM, "Electronic Throttle Module." They did come out with an updated software in an attempt to solve this problem, but it backfired in their face! If you have an ETM with a white colored label on the front chances are that this new software will destroy the module. The new software has also been possibly messing with the MAF sensors, so you may need a new MAF. If you're vehicle has an ETM with a yellow colored label, you should be in the clear. There is some good news for you owners though. All ETM's have been given a 10 year or 200,000 mile warranty through volvo. My advise is to get rid of this money pit if you happen to be burdened with one. This is probably only the beginning of you problems.

hi. i'm in oz and have just bought a 99t6. yes getting emission message. have replaced two o2 sensors. ran codes everthing ok. drove 100kms, messsage reappears. where do i look for the etm to check label? thanks