Major Disappointment with Qualtiy with my 99 S80

[josefsk]

Any experience with Car Alarm false triggers among all you other S-80 sufferers? The latest in the incredible series of problems is the car alarm triggering for no reason. Will it cost $1000 to replace the "car alarm computer?"

My 99 S-80 T6 has 95K miles but I'm reminded of the old joke about the axe -- I've had this axe for 40 years. I've replaced the handle 10 times and the head 5 times but it's the same axe. Some parts on the S-80 are original, just not many.

[rdollie]

You might get lucky and this will be as simple as a sensitivity adjustment on the alarm - or not. Unfortunately you have a '99 S80 and it was by far the worst year as it was the first year of not only a new model but a new platform for Volvo.

For alarm specific help I would suggest you go to the S80 forum at Swedespeed, Brickboard, or vvspy.

Good luck.

Originally Posted by josefsk

Any experience with Car Alarm false triggers among all you other S-80 sufferers? The latest in the incredible series of problems is the car alarm triggering for no reason. Will it cost $1000 to replace the "car alarm computer?"

My 99 S-80 T6 has 95K miles but I'm reminded of the old joke about the axe -- I've had this axe for 40 years. I've replaced the handle 10 times and the head 5 times but it's the same axe. Some parts on the S-80 are original, just not many.

[99S8029]

Reading all these posts, being a newbie to these boards, etc... Yes, all cars break down. I got my '99 S80 w/ ~70k on it - knowing it had a clunk in the tranny I would have to replace, but I got a deal regardless. Aside from the tranny I have had only one problem with mine - the intermittent ABS/STC thing... Being a bit of a computer geek may make me somewhat forgiving, but besides the tranny there's not much my Actron can't make go away for weeks, months, etc... They are very sensitive cars, and that sensitivity can be a good thing or a bad thing. As for me, no alarm issues, nothing to leave me stranded or otherwise disgruntled. I now have close to 150K on it and it drives just as well as it did when I got it, and I mean that in a nice way.

Just keepin' it positive - nothing's perfect, but as long as I can get my 9135 to reset a check engine light prior to inspection (required in PA to pass emissions, they don't care about the ABS/STC) then what's the difference?

I know other owners who had all the work done. O2 sensors repaired, throttle body work done, new this and that, etc... I get the same performance and MPG as they do - so what's the point?

My car is just like the computers (actually routers and switches) I work on daily - sometimes they get a weird signal, alerts are sent, but these things do not necessarily mean there is anything wrong.
~M

[mharon]

I just got my s80 and just got the message "Emission System Requires Service" just wondering what you all did to fix it.

[rdollie]

First, your best bet is to post in the S80 forum (and use the search engine first as the topic has probably been covered) at www.swedespeed.com, www.vvspy.com, or www.brickboard.com (there are other Volvo boards as well.)

Given that you just got the car there is a possibility that your gas cap wasn't put on securely which can happen with any new car these days due to the way one of the OBDII sub-systems work (for gas vapor removal.) This is a very common issue for a new owner or someone who uses full service gas stations (e.g., everybody in New Jersey.)

If it is a gas cap issue simply back the cap off, put it back on until it clicks at least three times, and the light will reset itself after a certain number of miles and engine restarts (something like 3 restarts and maybe 50 miles if I recall right.)

Good luck.

Originally Posted by mharon

I just got my s80 and just got the message "Emission System Requires Service" just wondering what you all did to fix it.

[Rabbieboy]

Originally Posted by rdollie

First, your best bet is to post in the S80 forum (and use the search engine first as the topic has probably been covered) at www.swedespeed.com, www.vvspy.com, or www.brickboard.com (there are other Volvo boards as well.)

Given that you just got the car there is a possibility that your gas cap wasn't put on securely which can happen with any new car these days due to the way one of the OBDII sub-systems work (for gas vapor removal.) This is a very common issue for a new owner or someone who uses full service gas stations (e.g., everybody in New Jersey.)

If it is a gas cap issue simply back the cap off, put it back on until it clicks at least three times, and the light will reset itself after a certain number of miles and engine restarts (something like 3 restarts and maybe 50 miles if I recall right.)

Good luck.

I was pleased to see this post because I have had an S80 since November 23rd 2006 only and had 2 service messages:

1: The day I got the car: "alarm system needs serviced". My car dealer agreed to pay for what he thought was just a computer reset at a cost of £60. It could not be reset due to the fault being an inoperative siren. Ok the car picked up the fault but it should not have failed - how often is it used?? The dealer agreed to pay the £276 total bill, only £97 of which was the actual cost of new siren, the rest labour charges from my Volvo dealer Arnold Clark.

2. Yesterday I got the "Emission system requires servicing" and I thought, Oh no, another coupla hundred £'s to fix. The great thing was reading this post saved me any expense as I followed the suggestion to click fuel cap 3 times and within 21 miles the message and engine light went off!! My cap has only been tightened to 1 click by me at any fuel stop and wasn't too secure when I took it off and put it on again this morning. I was into my 3rd short journey when fault lights went out!! Thanks for the tip from a Scottish man. I will be on this site often for help.

I otherwise find this a great car to drive, being only the auto 2.4 140bhp version but powerful enough for me and with a very luxurious feel to drive. It is my best car so far, ok, I have only had it a few weeks so time will tell...and it has only done 70 000 miles...

I will also be getting the Electronic Throttle Module looked at and software upgraded free very soon after hearing stories concerning it on a TV consumer programme here called Watchdog

[rdollie]

This is a very useful site but for Volvo S80 specific knowledge (particularly since this variant has been replaced with another platform now) you are much better off in the S80 forum at Swedespeed: http://forums.swedespeed.com/zeroforum?id=10

Remedies/tips for most common S80 issues will be found by searching the archives there although people do come by new issues from time to time in the active forum.

Good luck.

Russell