Hey all,
I own a 2000 Volvo V70xc that developed severe intermittent starting issues shortly after I purchased it. I tried diagnosing the thing myself and after replacing a crankshaft position sensor, testing the continuity of the Cam position sensor, Water temp sender, crank position sensor, all the injectors and coilpacks and the fuel pumps, I found myself to be at a loss as to the true cause of the no-start. I had a guess that the thing had a failing ECM because the OBD2 kept randomly failing after working for a little bit.

So I decided to hell with it, and brought it to a local Volvo expert here in Houston for some diagnostics (Link to the website of the garage HERE) where the head mechanic emails me and says that I should start looking for another car because of the issue and that "If it is the ECM, then expect well over $1k for diagnosis and replacement, which is also well over what the vehicle is worth. If I were you, I'd just get a new car."

My point is, this sounds a bit fishy. Can an ECM for a car that old really cost more than a month's pay? And is there any way I can replace the ECM myself without needing to use the Volvo VIDA system?