"engine System Service Required"

[BobbyC]

2001 S60 T5 104k miles

I have been getting this warning intermittently since acquiring my '01 S60 T5 6 months ago, yet there is no concrete indication of a problem.

Here is a picture of my instrument panel with the warning on: http://screencast.com/t/eH7VasEgg

One dealer told me it meant I needed an oil change, and another said it was as serious as a MIL (Check Engine Light), and that it sets codes in the ECU, and the car will not pass a state emissions check. These responses are by phone, of course.

But even with the amber triangle light (and text) on, a GOOD scanner says, "No DTCs are currently set, nor is any freeze frame data available." In addition, the Pass/Fail emissions light panel on the scanners says "Pass." A second scanner said "No Codes."

No MIL (check engine light) has ever come on, BTW.

It's a sure thing that if I drive the hour and a half to my nearest Volvo dealer, the text and light will again be out.

IS there a "permanent" code set that the dealer can read even if the light/text has gone out and there is no MIL? It would be a waste to make an appointment and drive 3 hours round trip if no code is stored, of course.

Is there any way of telling w/o a dealership scanner what is causing it?

Bob

Car runs great. I HAD some noticeable surging and hesitation at very light throttle acceleration (thought it was the ETM), but cleaning the MAF w/ spray cured 90% of it. Rock solid idle and great acceleration.

Only other problem is that most of the time, I cannot get the Cruise Control to switch on (the "Cruise" light will not illuminate). When it DOES come on, I can set it, and it works fine.

[831t5r]

It'll come on for a check engine light or etm codes or anything related.you'd need vida to read the dtc's

[BobbyC]

It'll come on for a check engine light or etm codes or anything related.you'd need vida to read the dtc's

OK, so:

1) Once I have a text saying "Engine System Service Required" there are DTCs that are set, and which will NOT go away even if/when the message disappears.

2) Unlike the MIL/CEL w/ generic codes, ONLY Volvo dealers can read these DTCs using Vida (so I am committed to a visit to the dealership).

Thank-you.

Bob

[Ihatespeedbumps]

Usually codes are set when the Engine system service required message comes up, but on a couple of occasions I have seen the message briefly but had no codes stored. This is using both VADIS and VIDA. I have noticed this is more prevalent with cars that have never had recall 155 done or an early version of it. Do you know the status of the recall? Is the label on the throttle yellow or white?

ETM faults will automatically disable the cruise, so that's why it may work intermittently.

The message has nothing to do with regular service :rolleyes:

[BobbyC]

Usually codes are set when the Engine system service required message comes up, but on a couple of occasions I have seen the message briefly but had no codes stored. This is using both VADIS and VIDA. I have noticed this is more prevalent with cars that have never had recall 155 done or an early version of it. Do you know the status of the recall? Is the label on the throttle yellow or white?

ETM faults will automatically disable the cruise, so that's why it may work intermittently.

The message has nothing to do with regular service

The 155 recall re-flash was done at 72k in June of '07 It was brought in w/ the complaint of stalling and at other times the engine was revving w/o throttle input.

It's hard to see down to the ETM, but it appears to be black on a silver label (OEM Marelli tag).

Not sure when the "Early Version" was, so that's why I included the date of the service.

Sounds more-and-more that this is the reason why my Cruise Control will not power up, because when it DOES, it works flawlessly.

The "Engine System Service Required" was a regular feature when I bought the car from my nephew (who said it meant an oil change), but lately it hardly ever appears (coincidentally since I started adding Amsoil PI fuel additive thinking the hesitation/surge could be partially clogged fuel injectors).

How probable is it that a throttle body cleaning would improve things? My observation has always been that a dirty throttle body will affect starting and idle far more than mid-throttle, but the Volvo dealer (not the one I'd use) said they would not proceed with diagnosis unless I paid for ETM removal and cleaning FIRST, saying to expect roughly $500 in overall fees, and that mid throttle CAN be affected even if idle is dead smooth. Are they just padding the invoice with that claim, or do they have a good point?

Thanks-

Bob