Hello everybody
I have a 2003 Volvo S60 which has always been reliable and in near perfect form. Three weeks ago I was driving on the highway when it started to do hiccups and speed gradually lowered to 45 km/hr (30 miles) It has stayed like this ever since.
The check engine light is on and a message is saying slow down and change to lower gear.
I press the pedal RPM goes up but the speed does not increase. I can drive as much as I want, but only at max 45 km/hr!
I took the car to the mechanics the first guy changed the mass air sensor and checked and cleaned spark plugs. Nothing changed.
I took it to another mechanic and after a lot of tests they said old fuel in the tank had gummed up and gave me an estimation of 2800 dollars to clean the tank and fuel lines and change the injectors and spark plugs.
I was travelling abroad and for 4 years the car was sitting, but I came back 1.5 years ago and the car drove without the slightest problem.
Another garage (Volvo garage) told me it can not be the fuel because although the car was sitting for 4 years, it has been driving with no problem for a year and half after that.
So I am quite puzzled. What could this be?
Thanks in advance
What could this be?
It could be many things. You said the check engine light was on, what were the codes? Did you analyze freeze frame and live data for problems? Checked catalytic converter for excessive back pressure? Checked fuel pressure? Checked operation of fuel injectors? How old are air and fuel filters?
I press the pedal RPM goes up but the speed does not increase.
In that case it sounds like your transmission is slipping. That thing is over 20 years old. When is the last time the transmission was serviced? What is the condition of the transmission fluid?
It also sounds like you need to find a mechanic that will do thorough diagnostics instead of guesswork.
It is a manual car. I should add that. Is the slipping transmission apply to manual too?
I am going to change the fuel filter myself. We cleaned the air filter and vacuumed it. Scanner reading showed two thing. Cutch pedal sensor and misfiring cylinders. I had changed the clutch pedal sensor 5 months earlier and the code remained even after changing. Irregular firing I could feel when the engine runs. How do you check catal. converter for excessive pressure?
@s20 If you're getting slippage with a manual transmission your clutch is shot. You check the converter for excessive back pressure with a gauge.
I just did some online search and apparently some Volvo S69s do not even have a fuel filter that can be changed! Is there any way to know if mine has one, beside going under the car I mean?
@s20 If that is the case then the filter is part of the pump housing and you'd probably have to change that entire assembly if it is clogged. (You should be able to look it up in an online parts catalog such as rockauto.com.)
Thanks. After 6 years I am learning strange things about my car. I could not find what I was looking for, but apparently in 2007 there was a recall on 2003 and 2004 S60s regarding fuel system. The dealerships would have changed the fuel sensor, which sends faulty signals to ECM which results in exactly the same symptoms as I am experiencing. I guess after 17 years it is too late to go to the dealer and ask for such a service. But that is another thing that could be the problem. I truly hate modern cars. So many things could go wrong. We had a Jeep CJ when I was a kid. Engine+transmission+breaks+body. It did not even have a heater I remember keeping a kerosene heater and blankets in the car 🙂 The good old days.
@s20 Modern vehicles can be a challenge, they're just too complicated. Interesting about the recall. If you do a fuel pressure test you can at least confirm whether or not there is a problem with the pump or built-in filter. At least in the U.S. you can check online for open recalls using the vehicle's VIN. Since you're talking about kilometers I assume you're elsewhere. Maybe a Volvo dealer would be able to look it up, they may have records going back that far.
Thanks for your replies. I am in Canada. This week I will take it to a proper Volvo garage and ask them to do these tests. Contrary to what one imagines driving at 45 km is not very relaxing.