I'm the new owner of an 01 S40...nice car, but in the morning when I first start it it's REAL hard to stop...this lasts for a minute or two and then it's fine. Also, if I put it in neutral it stops fine. Some kind of vacuum problem? I don't have a manual for it yet, so any suggestions involving checking components under the hood may need a description of where the component is located.

Thanks alot in advance!

 

There is a brake vacuum pump on this model. I believe it starts when you start your engine and continues to run for several minutes. There were problems with this component in the 2000 model year and there was a recall for it. I do not know if there are any concerns with the 2001 model. But since you said it was a problem only after you first started it up I would have this component checked out.

 

Volvo had a Tech Note on that problem.
I don't have access to it anymore. I wish I could help more.

 

Okay, I'm still working this...assuming it's a vaccuum problem, there's a hard plastic hose that runs from the brake booster to the intake manifold. It fits into the manifold loosely - not such that it easily comes out (in fact I haven't tried to pull it out with more that moderate force), but it's still a loose fit. Is that normal?

Thanks again!

 

Yes that is normal. If you were to push the white plastic in the hose will slip out. There is a seal in there.

I forget exactly what the problem was. Do you hear the pump in the morning?

 

Not sure if I hear the pump...or what pump I'm hearing or not hearing ;-) I'm a bit hard of hearing, so I may not hear it. What should it sound like?

 

Almost like a slight buzzing. It should activate almost every time you push the brake pedal down.

 

I can't hear the buzzing, but then I don't hear so well anyway...

I found this on another site
http://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/cha...pic.php?t=2627
It describes the exact problem I'm having.

What/where is the connector referenced on this link?

Thanks alot!

 

IM not sure I would have to look at one and see.
But there should only be 2 Plugs I believe.

 

A bit more information...when I first started on this problem I noticed that the 15 amp fuse for the vacuum pump was blown...replacing it didn't help, but now it's blown again. Supposedly all the recalls have been implemented on this car, but there is obviously a problem with the vacuum pump. Any suggestions?

Thanks.

 

HMMM you should check the wiring and relay for the Vaccum pump.

Also install a new fuse and start the car and see if the pump runs all the time. If it does the hose that goes to the booster and intake from the pump is bad.

 

Okay - obviously this problem isn't high on my priority list, since it's been a few months, but I've had some time to fiddle with it today.

First, I REALLY need a manual for this car (2001 S40) - operating in the dark is getting old. I see that a person can buy subscriptions for various time periods from volvotechinfo.com - what exactly does that mean?

Second, I'm trying to trace down why the 15 amp vacuum pump fuse is blowing. In the process, I've noticed that there's a connector to a silver cannister-looking-thing below the fuse box under the hood. I disconnected it and with a voltmeter on the connector I get 12 volts when I turn the key on along with a buzzing sound - this lasts for a few seconds then the buzzing quits and the reading goes to zero. Also, the vacuum pump relay clicks on and then off when the buzzing quits. (Obviously, this happens with a good vacuum pump fuse - with no fuse I still get the brief buzzing sound along with the relay clicking on/off, but no voltage at the connector.)

Questions:
1. What's the silver cannister thing? (There's a hose from it to a plug thingy in the booster - there's another hose that runs from the thingy to the intake manifold, and there's an electrical connector on top of the plug thingy).
2. What's the buzzing sound (obviously not the vacuum pump, since I get it with no fuse also)?
3. Where is the vacuum pump?
4. Why don't I have sense enough to take this car to a Volvo shop and let them hose me and hopefully fix this problem???

As always, any assistance is greatly appreciated.

 

The silver looking thing is the Vaccum pump.
How fast does the Pump fuse Blow?

Does the silver thing BUZZ?

 

The pump fuse blows as soon as the key is turned on - before I actuallly crank the car. If I put a new fuse in after the buzzing referred to above quits (with the key still turned on) then the fuse blows when I crank the car. No buzzing occurs at the pump since (I assume) no current gets to it before the fuse blows. Since I can measure voltage at the connector, would that mean the problem is in the pump itself rather than the wiring?

Thanks again.

 

That could very well be. If the pump is unplugged does the Fuse still blow?

 

No - the fuse doesn't blow with the pump disconnected.

 

I would say bad pump.

 

Would that be something that an average backyard mechanic could replace? Also, would a used one be worth it?

Finally, my earlier question about manuals got sidetracked..what are my options for getting a manual for this vehicle?

Thanks alot. I'm gonna have to make a donation to this forum.

 

There is not much in the lines of Book Manuals out there.
Most is PC.

Look on e-bay for a program called VADIS.
That is Volvo's program in the service manuals. It covers alot of the Volvo's

The pump issue. Yes you could change it should take you about 30 to 40 minutes to replace it.

A used one might be worth it. As long as it looks almost new.
There isn't many problems with them but you never know.