I have a 2000 Volvo s40 1.9t with 151k miles on it and I'm having a problem that I can't seem to figure out, whenever I start the car cold whether it's at night or morning, it kind of shakes a little hard and the CEL blinks I've been revving it up to about 2-2500 Rpms for a few seconds and the blinking stops, I have no clue as to what this could be. My CEL is on because I need to do timing/waterpump but idk what this flashing is SOMEONE PLEASE HELP😭😭

 

The CEL is not on because you need to do a timing belt or water pump. It comes on when there is a fault that affects emissions. It blinks for a misfire damaging to the cat.

You need to have the codes read and you'll likely need at least new plugs, if not coils as well.

 

I replaced the plugs and the coils recently, about 5k miles ago and the code I'm getting is crank shaft over retarded, I thought that was timing belt? But I have a question couldn't I just do a cat delete? Would that solve my issue? I don't need the cat honestly.

 

which specific code did you see? there are codes for both camshaft timing and crankshaft timing. These can be caused by a faulty position sensor (there is both a cam sensor and a crank sensor), a mis-timed engine (either the timing belt is off a notch or the VVT gear is not properly positioned) or a failed VVT gear. None of these codes would point to a fault in the catalytic converter or O2 sensors. The point was failing to correct the fuel/spark problem risks damaging other components.

 

so what should I do about the flashing light? I have both an over advanced and over retarded code right now, I want to fix all these problems then sell the car and buy a diesel wagon. I just don't know weather or not I have to replace plugs AND packs again because that was expensive or if I should just delete the cat?

 

Removing the cat will not fix whatever mechanical issue you have going on.

It's hard to help when you don't provide the codes.

 

i had to get them, hold on,
P0014
P0133
P0015
P0313
P0107

 

the 14&15 refer to the camshaft timing - suggesting the cam sensor or the VVT is not functioning properly. the 133 and 313 are saying you have a misfire and a mixture problem (maybe the mixture being off is causing the misfire) and the 107 says the MAP (manifold air pressure sensor) sensor signal is out of range. If the MAP sensor is giving bad data to the ECU, it can cause a mixture issue and in turn the misfire... Since you have both a 14 and 15, I'd be more inclined to suspect the VVT gear or solenoid is sticking than the cam position sensor, but there's plenty of posts on the board regarding VVT issues to read as this is non uncommon on Gen 1 S40s. particularly with older engines that were not maintained regularly. Some posters have reported some success using Seafoam or similar treatments or removed the VVT to try and clean the oil galleys.

 

I personally have done regular maintenance and a bunch of extra work since I don't think the car was cared for very well, but the inside of the engine is quite dirty, and I feel that if I were to put sea foam into the engine, that I would just mess things up, I will try cleaning the vvt and I'll look into the MAP sensor, you think the VVT is what's causing the misfire?

 

misfires are normally blamed on plugs/coils or coil connectors but given the other codes I'd start with the MAP sensor and maybe some fresh plugs.

 

question, would the wires also be a problem? Becuase I didn't have enough money to change those... and I'll check the map sensor

 

If they are the original. they are way past gone.
Have you cleaned your throttle body?

 

yeah they are originals... and no I haven't cleaned that, what would that do? I'm gonna go buy new cables today.