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Until Monday I had a 1999 Volvo V70 petrol 2.4 manual estate. It lost power and then died and the A A patrol told me it is the ECU. I would like to save this car if possible, so is it possible to replace the ECU at home or is it time to send it to the great garage in the sky ?
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Diagnosis of ECU failure by roadside AA patrol sounds totally random to me.
ECU failure is fairly unusual and there are many other possibilities that could lead to loosing power and stalling. I’d be making basic checks and getting codes read first.
ECU replacement is possible in theory but complicated by security coding issues.
Nick
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1967 Triumph Vitesse convertible (old friend) 1996 Audi A6 2.5 TDI Avant (still durability testing) 1972 GT6 Mk3 (Restored after loong rest & getting the hang of being a car again)
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Phil H
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,448
Club RR Member Number: 133
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Volvo V70 ecuPhil H
@philhoward
Club Retro Rides Member 133
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I’d find it highly unlikely that the ECU has failed completely - IIRC Volvos of this vintage can suffer Electronic Throttle System issues (it’s slightly temperamental on my 1999 C70, albeit a 2.3 T5). I don’t think the AA “talk to anything” reader can talk to everything on a Volvo though. You need VIDA and DICE for that.
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froggy
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,099
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Used to clean throttle bodies on these regularly when they were young enough to be sold by traders , more likely a failed cam sensor , never seen a Volvo ecu failure myself
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Check the fuses earth and power supply to the ecu, I've heard several roadside diagnosis of ecu when they can't read codes because there is no power to the ecu!
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Thanks for all the replies. A little more detail of what happened, I was on the M25 and as i approached the exit the engine seemed to be losing power. I got onto a small road and the car got worse and worse, the speedo stopped reading also the rev counter and i limped along for about 2 miles the engine barely able to pull in the end then it died. It seemed to have drained the battery and some warning lights that I have never seen all glowed dimly at once. I don,t really do electronics but it looks pretty serious to me... The AA ran some checks on all the fuse boxes ( nothing blown )tried a jump but totally dead.
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Phil H
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,448
Club RR Member Number: 133
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Volvo V70 ecuPhil H
@philhoward
Club Retro Rides Member 133
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Sounds like alternator failure to me and low voltage does strange things to ECUs. Could also be a duff battery, but a duff alternator would be the first port of call.
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Phil H
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,448
Club RR Member Number: 133
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Volvo V70 ecuPhil H
@philhoward
Club Retro Rides Member 133
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Charge the battery, start the engine and see what volts are across the battery - that should confirm it. I’m surprised the AA didn’t check the basics..
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As said above that isnt an ecu failure, could be something as simple as a broken earth cable.
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1988 Mercedes w124 superturbo diesel 508hp 1996 Mercedes s124 e300 diesel wagon 1990 BMW E30 V8 M60 powered! 1999 BMW E46 323ci project car
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Thanks for the advice, have had the battery on charge today, will try fitting and starting tomorrow. Don't think this will be anything as simple as a bad earth or lead. The car always started easily 1st turn of the key. The alternator could be suspect, but the red warning light never came on... To be continued in the morning,cheers.
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Phil H
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,448
Club RR Member Number: 133
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Volvo V70 ecuPhil H
@philhoward
Club Retro Rides Member 133
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Given the red light is directly from the alternator, that could be the same bit at fault...
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Well I got it started today with a freshly charged battery, so it looks like the Retro Rides team know more than the AA ! It was running normally and no warning lights showing. I was very relieved because it is a good practical estate and far too good to scrap. Will now get a local auto electrician to give it a quick check just in case the alternator is on borrowed time... Thanks again to all who replied.
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Did the battery warning light come on when the engine want running but the ignition was on?
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Jem45
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Posts: 1,021
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Also - check the earth strap in the boot. All kinds of randomness is caused by a bad connection there.
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Carbs 'n chrome
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Got a meter on it today, and no charge from the alternator so Phil H was correct. I was pleased because though fitting the alternator is a bit awkward on the V70 it is something I can do and save this very useful estate that has been very reliable over the 5 years I owned it. Thanks for all the help.
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See dodgerover's comment above about the charge warning light. If the charge light bulb is blown the alternator doesn't work because the exciter current doesn't flow through the bulb - and you don't get a warning either! You may not need an alternator.....
Nick
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1967 Triumph Vitesse convertible (old friend) 1996 Audi A6 2.5 TDI Avant (still durability testing) 1972 GT6 Mk3 (Restored after loong rest & getting the hang of being a car again)
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Phil H
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,448
Club RR Member Number: 133
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Volvo V70 ecuPhil H
@philhoward
Club Retro Rides Member 133
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Seconded...
Although an alternator might be easier to change than a dash bulb?
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Last Edit: Nov 6, 2019 22:07:24 GMT by Phil H
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Rich
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 6,248
Club RR Member Number: 160
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Volvo V70 ecuRich
@foxmcintyre
Club Retro Rides Member 160
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See dodgerover's comment above about the charge warning light. If the charge light bulb is blown the alternator doesn't work because the exciter current doesn't flow through the bulb - and you don't get a warning either! You may not need an alternator..... Nick V70 will be an LED driven by the instrument cluster, it’s not as simple as an old alternator. It’s most likely the alternator has failed and it’s simply not registering lack of charge. Not uncommon.
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See dodgerover's comment above about the charge warning light. If the charge light bulb is blown the alternator doesn't work because the exciter current doesn't flow through the bulb - and you don't get a warning either! You may not need an alternator..... Nick V70 will be an LED driven by the instrument cluster, it’s not as simple as an old alternator. It’s most likely the alternator has failed and it’s simply not registering lack of charge. Not uncommon. Fair point - wondered about that, a damaged exciter wire had the same effect on our old Arosa, spent ages taking the dash apart and found no bulb.... Nick
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1967 Triumph Vitesse convertible (old friend) 1996 Audi A6 2.5 TDI Avant (still durability testing) 1972 GT6 Mk3 (Restored after loong rest & getting the hang of being a car again)
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Just when I thought it was a reasonably easy fix you raise the possible issues of bulb / exciter wire, maybe other issues... I had just got a price on the alternator from a local factor, but I'm now thinking it may be better to book it in with a local auto electric repairer. I'm not much good on electrical problems and now I know it is not the ecu it would be better to let someone who knows more than me do what needs to be done, especially as the alternator may not be the simple fix I was hoping for. Thanks again for all the tips and advice.
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