Hi,
We've been doing some research on an issue we have with our '99 Volvo V70. It has been running like its possessed by Elvis doing his jerky jerk Pelvis thrust on stage. It only happens intermittently, usually after about 15min. If you turn shut the engine off then start it again the phenomenon stops. It's like the engine isn't getting fuel. It's potentially an ETM issue but I was hoping to draw your attention to a few things we've read to get your opinion.

This ETM Flow Chart from Xemodex (http://www.xemodex.com/technologyimp...ow%20Chart.pdf) provides a step by step guide to diagnosing the issue. The MAF is mentioned first - could it just be a sensor issue?

Also, the chart shows that if there are no codes related to the MAF the next question is regarding misfire codes. I have used a code reader on our car before and there were misfire codes. The chart shows that a malfunctioning ETM will not set misfire codes. Could this be an ignition coil issue?

The other resource I have found was this forum post:
http://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/for...ic.php?t=17252

I'd suggest reading the whole first post, but what's most interesting about the post is point 5 regarding the failure of the MAF:

5. Failure of the MAF appears much like those of paragraphs 3 and 4, minus the hunting at idle – except that downshifting does absolutely nothing because the problem is not that you need to run the engine at a different speed to use a different portion of the throttle plate’s path, but that the throttle is getting faulty information from the MAF sensor. Also, MAF failure often presents itself as a staccato of multiple hesitations or attempts to stall, a fraction of a second apart, while ETM failure is often one such hesitation per episode. And MAF failure is more likely to show itself on extreme weather days, since the sensor would normally be providing the most correction to the ETM. Again, early failure often does not leave any codes in the car’s computer.

We don't experience any "hunting at idle", and the jerking/stuttering we experience is "a staccato of multiple hesitations or attempts to stall". As mentioned in my first point, could you test the MAF?

We don't want to invest in an new/refurb ETM if that isn't the problem, but we aren't the experts here. We just thought that since it's been cleaned, perhaps the issue is something else? The MAF and the Misfire Codes both showed up at the top of this flow chart.

We were told by our Volvo dealership that we need a new housing kit. All in all it's going to cost us around $1500 to repair. We just wanted to see if it could be something else before we do what they suggest.

Thanks in advance,
N