12 replies to this topic

[BMonk]

My recently purchased 99XC really let me down. When I purchased the car they replaced the abs module,
brakes all they way around. They also replaced the tranny with a rebuild with a lifetime warrenty. On my
way home from work last night I was on the highway when the abs,traction control and battery light came
on. I pull over find oil all over the motor. The dipstic was out about an inch. I called my wife who then came
over with our truck and trailer and brought it home. Once home I cleaned the motor,topped of the oil less then
half a quart. I started it up and the battery light stays on for a couple minutes and the braks,abs and traction
control light came on again. I turned it off and could hear the battery hissing out the vents. I washed everything
down with baking soda and water. Had dinner then went out the check the battery voltage. Car was dead and
could now not open the hood. The drivers side kept sticking shut. I had the dealer come tow it to them as its
under a used car warrenty still. Starting to wonder if I should have kept my 94 850 Turbo with over 200,000 on
it. I know its shooting from the hip but does anyone have any ideas on this meltdown of events.....


Bill
Mystic,CT

99 V70XC
94 850Turbo missed even more today....

[T5Chris]

Darn that sucks.. Sounds to me like the dealer sold you a lemon. I'm not sure how else there can be so many problems if was a certified preowned car, especially since they undergo all those inspections. All I know is that if that happened to me one day, I'd open a can of whoopass on them.

[BMonk]

I just got a call back from the dealer today. They replaced the alternator which was over charging,
new battery, and positive cable. They also adjusted the hood latch. Still wondering why the other
lights came on. All covered under warrenty. They told me to drive it and see if anymore problems
come up. Also extended my warrenty to a year at no charge to me. I was also told that if I really
feel uncomfortable with the car they would give me what I paid towards another car minus tax and
transfer fees. I think they felt the wrath of my wife with her explaining we have kids and she now
doesn't trust the car.....

Bill

[T5Chris]

I would probably take this opportunity and dump the car, because it sounds like the previous owner(s) didn't take very good care of it. And, you shouldn't have to deal with all these hassles especially when you just purchased the vehicle. Not sure what your budget is, but I know there has been a lot of dropoff in price even with the more recent year volvos. Volvo has a really good certified pre-owned warranty, it's 6 year/100,000 miles from the original sale date. When you factor in all the potential cost of repairs, it's worth every penny in my opinion.

[ultra_runner]

I just got rid of our 01XC because I had lost all faith in the car and in the company. I too have young children and I would not take them on the highway in the car. The ETM is a huge design flaw. See VEXED volvo. When mine died it left me stranded 1,000 miles from home. It also died totally on a busy highway requiring an expensive tow and endangering my family. The replacement ETMs fail as well. Get rid of this car if you can. It can leave you with some nasty surprises and it has nothing to do with how well you take care of it. My care of the car made no difference in how the ETM failed. Check out the NHSTA investigation of the ETM. This ruined me for Volvo.

Man... I guess you never owned a Jag V12 XJS. They were much worse!

Oh, and either register or sign in!

Scott C.

Edited by ultra_runner, 22 September 2006 - 04:34 AM.

[RussB]

I was also told that if I really feel uncomfortable with the car they would give me what I paid towards another car minus tax and transfer fees.

Bill

Bill,

My opinion is to take the money, and cut your losses. No sense feeling that bad and distrustful about a car.

Edited by RussB, 22 September 2006 - 04:43 AM.

[BMonk]

I see alot of you feel the same way I do about dumping the car. Thankfully the dealership I purchased
it from is top notch. They only sell repair volvos though they are not a dealer. He showed me a list
off all the stuff they did to get the car ready for sale. I plan on getting a copy tomorrow. He was
realistic and said they went over the car the best they could,but they can't predict what will fail next.
He gave me in writing three months/5,000 miles to make up my mind on him buying it back. If
major goes wrong he wants to send the car to auction. If nothingelse goes wrong but I just
don't feel right he'll most likely put it back on the lot.

Bill

[8G5L0T]

best of luck.. that sucks

[mbsl98]

I would give the car a little time. It sounds like you have a first rate seller behind you, and the car can be an absolute gem, aside from the ETM issue which I have no experience with. So far, it had one bothersome but not essential major failure (the alternator), which seems to be a very uncommon failure. If you had a good impression of teh condition and the way it had been cared for by prior owner, and the list of things done for sale turns out to be a list of the expected stuff, then odds may be very good that it will be a good choice. As I understand it, a replaced ETM may be the same old part, but at least it's chance of failing in the next several years is not high since the originals didn't go that soon (except in very rare cases). The ETM is still an ongoing issue with NHTSA, and may well be converted into some further required fix by Volvo as well. I did note that you said there was engine oil and the dipstick pushed out, but no further comment on that. That would have nothing to do with the Alternator failure, but may be a sign of positive crankcase pressure that you need to also sort out soon. If the dipstick waws just left loose, it will not recur, but you can easily check for positive presure just to be sure. Also note that teh hood latch not fully releasing is a common issue as well, and not always fixed by adjusting teh cable. there have been several threads about adding a thin piece of rubber to the left hand rubber hood stop to give it just a little more release pressure. Alternatively, pull handle once, try to open hood - usually opens at least the right side, then go back and pull handle a second time. This almost always release the left side since raising teh right a little adds that slight extra release pressure to the left.

[BMonk]

I got a call this morning that want the car back to address the pcv system and I think flame trap
(second hand info from my wife). They even promised a loaner no nothing.
I don't have the list of stuff done in front of me,but they have serviced the car since new. We bought
it with just 90,000 on the odometer. They timing belt was done new evap and heater core. The pre-
delivery stuff was extensive. I don't have the list infront of me,but here is what I remember:
Sway bar links,struts and associated bushing, lower control arms (ball joints?),Cabin,air and fuel filters,
plugs,cap,wires,abs module,a new front bumper cover (they told me it cheaper to buy new already painted
then have the orig one redone)the old one was cosmetically beat up. Brakes and rotors all the way around
and they use Volvo factory parts. A new center console cause it was
cracked where the arm rest hinge is. A new exhaust tip,axle seals,t-stat,top engine mount,air guide, l/p bracket
,rear wiper arm,all blades,t-body gasket. They let me take a set of Thule crossbars off a wagon they took
as trade in and were going to wholesale (a 99xc also with 240,000 miles). I wanted the booster seat
but they wouldnt let me take that though.. I do have an offer from someone for one any ideas on
what I should offer thats fair. Thanks for letting me rant here. Starting to feel a little better about this.
By the way the dealer is Eurocars Plus in Groton. Right up the road from Groton Foreign Car Parts.
The owner Mark is a stand up guy. He runs everything and is a great mechanic himself. I have seen him
more than once replacing something on someones car out front. That and he doesnt wear a stuff suit
or tie..
On more thing I forgot was the ETM was replaced at 85,000 miles and a rebuilt tranny was
put in with a lifetime warrenty on the tranny (labor for 5 years). The tranny failure is why
the car was traded in. The PO ended up buying a year old XC from Mark.

Enough diarhea of the keyboard have a good day-

Edited to include what I forgot was on the list of stuff done to car

Bill
Mystic,CT
99 V70XC LPT sucks or should I say blows lightly!
65 Mustang Convertible award winner
91 Westy Syncro tiico the ultimate camping off road vehicle goes anywhere!
Ex-94 850 Turbo Sadly missed
Ex-94 850 Turbo Wagon

Edited by BMonk, 22 September 2006 - 07:52 PM.

[mbsl98]

I can see why you bought it in the first place - that's just about everything I can think of that might go wrong except PNP (did I miss that) or other small stuff.