I have a 2009 C70 with a check engine light. I took it to my regular mechanic and the codes are calling the throttle body.

I have three options for the throttle body:
OEM - About $900
Rebuilt from Rock Auto - About $300
Salvage - about $100 - $150

Unfortunately as is often the case with check engine lights, there is no guarantee this will be the fix.

Is the throttle body a common failure? My thought is that if it's not a common failure, I'll go with the salvage which is the most economical. If it's fairly common, I'll buck up and get the rebuilt.

Also, any input on how difficult of a job it is? If it's not too difficult, I may tackle it myself. If it's a PITA that requires a lift, I'll let the shop handle it.

Thanks!

 

Did you get a print out of the codes? If not, visit Autozone etc and borrow a scanner to get the fault codes listed. Keep in mind, the codes tell you what the ECU is seeing as a guide for the next step in the diagnostics - they don't always have a simple A>B path telling you what part to replace. For example, say the code tells you a signal wasn't found from a sensor. Without digging further you'd never know if its the sensor, bad contact in the connector, wiring or even a fuse/relay issue. Without seeing the codes you don't know if you may have an intake air leak, a dirty MAF or dirty ETM etc that can be resolved without R+R on the ETM itself.

The other thing to do is visit sites like Xemodex or Midwest ABS who rebuild throttle bodies to see what diagnostics they recommend and how to interpret codes. yes there are contacts in the ETM that can corrode or fail - but the newer models (say after 2005) are way more reliable than the earlier ETMs from 2000 to 2005. I'd use one of these services versus used or even Rock Auto as the ETM is paired to the ECU so you'd need a dealer to do the software update. Xemodex will clone your existing software as part of their repair (~250) saving you the trip to the dealer.

 

A throttle body for a 09 c70 is a 30711552. New those are ~$300 - $600. Note they are on clearance at FCP - that means "we bought some and nobody is buying them because they don't go bad, so let's get rid of them. That said the bosch throttle modules are very reliable and rarely fail. Your code (whatever that is) I trust points to the signal from the throttle module. That does not mean the throttle module is bad. You need to find someone to diagnose the problem rather than replace parts by code. A good technician with the right tools should be able to test and duplicate what is causing the "code" to appear BEFORE buying and replacing parts on a guess. Yes it's hard - and possibly it's above your guys pay grade, quality of tools he owns/has access to or his diagnostic ability. A problem with earlier cars was the electrical connection at the throttle module - Volvo developed a service solution for that and replacement wire connectors solved "bad throttle "codes in those cars. Throttle body is held on with 4 bolts an electrical connector and a hoseclamp. Replacement is not the hard part - the hard part is a correct diagnosis. Does the car run badly? Do you need the CEL off to get an emission inspection?