3 replies to this topic

[swsteckly]

OK, so after getting my baby back from a three-week service marathon last week, more things have cropped up.

The other day, I was doing my normal 'insane driving', and as I had the throttle pegged from a stop sign, everything was fine under about 30MPH, when the engine lost a TON of power, and the formerly off CHECK ENGINE light started flashing. I stopped the car, restarted it, and was greeted with a solid-on CHECK ENGINE light, and 'Emission System Service Required'. This was one before my last service, and was taken care of by a new MAF sensor.

The symptoms are as follows:

During idle, there is a good vibration inside the car. The engine can be seen vibrating, as well as the exhaust. The exhaust note is quite strange.

On acceleration, there is an intense vibration, enough to make the glove box and windows rattle. This goes away as soon as you stop accelerating.

The CHECK ENGINE light is solid on, unless acceleration is under way, then it is flashing.

There is no power. I would guess that less than 100HP is getting to the wheels.


I have tried replacing the spark plugs. I put in the new Bosch Platinum +4's. The problem isn't quite as bad, but still evident.

I have had to drive the car about 200 miles since this started happening. I hope that I have not caused damage to other components.

I am thinking it's an oxygen sensor. Doesn't the fuel metering system default to full rich if an oxyen sensor is out? It seems to be running extremely rich, and this is causing misfires during acceleration, but I'm not an expert on engines so I don't know for sure.

I haven't pulled codes.

I have an appointment with my service center tomorrow morning to see what's up. It's under warranty, so that's good, but still, this really sucks. They are also going to take care of the clunking in the front suspension, whatever that may be.

What do you think it is?

[swsteckly]

The service center diagnosed it this morning.

They claim that a faulty ignition coil is responsible. Makes sense to me. The guy said that this is what is setting off the Emission System Service Required light.

They're also replacing the front shocks, which are leaking a ton.

This stuff should be covered under the certified used warranty, right?

They've got parts ordered and I'll have it back tomorrow, late morning.

[Bay13]

Your car doesn't have an ignition coil so they more than likely mean a coil pack. I don't know if your extended warranty covers it or not, the service writer should have been able to tell you what was covered and what you would be paying for. Typically extended warrantys don't pay for diagnostics or trouble shooting, only replacement of the part.

[swsteckly]

Rich,

Thanks. I've never had to pay for diagnostics or anything before, just the $50 deductible. The only thing I've ever run in to that I would have had to pay for were the headlights.

He said that they were 'waiting to hear back from Volvo certified on whether it will be covered under warranty or not'. The first time I heard this I freaked, but I've heard it many, many times since then, and have never had to pay anything. Evidently he says that, just to let me know exactly what they're up to, and not to imply that I may have to pay for the repair.

And yes, he meant a coil pack. I think he said 'ignition coil pack' or something. I know that I've got the direct fire ignition, I've changed the spark plugs before. Often times I'll just shorten the names of stuff that I'm familar with, and sometimes it ends up meaning something else.