Petrol Volvo’s from Aug. 1998 (My99) to 2002 use a “fly-by-wire” throttle module, usually designated as ETM – Electronic Throttle Module that is known to failure due to wear in the internal contacts.
So, if your 1998-2002 Petrol Volvo has rough idle, goes into limp mode, have strange throttle behavior, it should be suffering from the ETM issue.
Volvo ETM issue Symptoms
Common ETM – Electronic Throttle Module failure symptoms on 1998 – 2002 Volvo are:
– Engine goes into limp mode – restricted performance
– Engine light in the dash goes on
– Rough idle – when at idle your engines rpm goes up and down
– Hesitation when accelerating
– Engine almost stalling and no reaction from the accelerator pedal
Volvo ETM issue Solutions
If you suspect your Volvo has a bad ETM – Electronic Throttle Module, you have the following solutions:
– Clean your ETM. This may work if your ETM is not yet damaged on the internal contacts
– Source a new one from a Volvo dealer. This is the most simpler but also the much costier solution
– Source a good used one… Although some ETM’s are known to be more resistant (yellow sticker ones), buying a used one without warranty is allways a risk.
– Refurbish your own ETM using a new internal sensor
Volvo ETM Replacement How To Tutorial
In any of this cases, you will need to remove and install the ETM from the car.
The ETM is located on the lower side of the inlet manifold, but there is NO NEED to remove the manifold. In order to remove the ETM, you should do as follows:
1. Disconnect the negative battery cable
2. Removing the intake charge air pipe that goes above the engine
3. Remove the dipstick and dipstick tube
4. Remove the inlet pipe to the air filter housing.
5. Slacken off the hose clamp for the air pipe on the throttle body (ETM) and remove the pipe from the ETM
6. Follow the ETM cable route, disconnect it and let it loose.
7. Remove the 4 screws for the ETM
8. The ETM will now be loose, carefully remove if from behinf the inlet manifold.
To install, proceed in the reverse order. Be sure to allways use a new ETM gasket, and to torque the 4 ETM screws to Nm.
The instructions in this tutorial will work in the following model years:
– 2000, 2001, 2002 Volvo S60
– 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 Volvo S80
– 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 Volvo V70
– 2001, 2002 Volvo XC70
– 1998, 1999, 2000 Volvo S70
– 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 Volvo C70
– 2002 Volvo XC90