Hi guys, great forum.
Just got the car and I loved it for the first 5 days, then the bad news came. When starting the car, in P or D it will almost stutter but not much. Around one small "jump"(the best I can describe it) per 10 seconds. Each time the revs go down about 50(not much at all but still noticeable when standing still) and the lights also become less bright during that splitsecond. It all began when I was accelerating and the check engine light started blinking and there was a loss of power. Since then the light is now lit all the time.

What can this be?

I live in Los Angeles so if you know of any good mechanics let me know

EDIT: btw the car has 106,000 miles

 

Sounds like the car is misfiring.
Last tune up?
Last time the coils were replaced?

 

Thank you for your answer. Since I just bought the car last week and there are no service records(except the dealer telling me it was done), I really dont know. But yesterday I went to easylube and they changed oil, airfilter and told me the fuelfilter needed changing(but didnt have the cash for it at the moment). Since then the car is a LITTLE bit smoother. On tuesday I will go have the transmission flushed+ fuelfilter changed and also have the sparkplugs checked. Do you think that will do it? A mechanic told me that 106xxx miles would be right about spot on for the sparkplugs to be changed.

thank you

 

If the check engine light still flashes then the coil are going to be bad.

 

It only flashed for 10 seconds or so. Now its on all the time?

 

But does it flash under hard acceleration?
Flashing means misfiring.

 

Oh okay. Yes it does. I have only been driving it very gently with no problems, but when going a little heavier on the pedal it starts blinking and not running as good as it should.

What would changing coils cost? Will I need to change the plugs to?

Thank you

 

I would do plugs and coils. It is pretty expensive though. Check out FCPgroton.com see if they have them.

 

Ok, so I went to the mechanic who plugged it up to the OBD which showed "misfire cyl# 3". The mech then said he would need to have the car for 2-3 hours to see if it really is the coil(as I pointed out it could be) or if it is a plug or wire? Should this really take that long? I mean at around 80dollars an hour I want to be sure. I checked FCPgroton, but they didnt have the T5 listed for 2001, it began from 2002. What they did have was the s60 "turbo" 2001, would this include my car or should I go with the 2002 T5. Thought I might aswell change the timingbelt, because I dont think it has been done. Parts alone for belt, pulley, tensioner + 5 coils and 5 plugs was around 400. Which isnt that bad... but how much should it cost to get the job done? A good "guesstimate"?

 

"but how much should it cost to get the job done?"

Bump

 

Tune up a couple of hours labor.
The t-belt about 3 hours labor.

How old are the plugs?
If the plugs are old then it is possible the plug might be misfiring. But if they are newer and the coils are cracked I would say do plugs and coils.

 

these cars dont have plug wires... under that volvo pannel on the top of the motor is the coils and under them is a spark plug for each cylinder.. anyone can replace all of these parts "plugs and coils" in a couple hours.. very very basic work... just buy the coil that is bad as they are a ab out $80 a piece at auto zone.. and they require Bosch platunum plugs which arent cheap either... do that and i bet you will be in good shape..

 

My bad between reading the first post till I replied I forgot what model it was.

 

Got the car back from the mech. It was a bad coil that was replaced and now the car is smooth again. Will try to get the timingbelt fixed asap too.

Thanks