Hi everyone! This is my first post and I am really hoping you can help me. I have a 1999 Volvo S70 AWD Turbo that was originally in New York and is now in Florida. The other day, my car just started shuttering. It is most noticeable at 30 - 40 mph. It doesn't seem to be engine/transmission troubles as when I put in neutral, it still shutters and shakes. Both the tires and brakes are new. The ETS light is on and has been on for a long time. my car also seems like it is dragging or binding. In other words, it just doesn't have the get up and go that it had before the shuttering started. Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated. I'm getting really tired of my mechanic as he seems to be raking me over the coals.

 

Is the CE light on? does it feel like its misfiring?

 

The check enginge light is not on and it doesn't feel like it is misfiring.

 

It is likely misfiring. Does the cel work? Does it come on when you turn the car on before it starts? I would pull codes anyway.

If it's a shutter, it is likely a misfire.

 

One of your five cylinders is not firing. Easiest way to tell is by sound. If you open your mouth and say "AAAAAHHHHH....." that's the equivalent of what a normal-running engine sounds like. If you make that same sound but allow allow the tip of your tongue to "da-da-da-da-da-da-da" really fast against the roof of your mouth, kinda like a cat purring... THAT'S the sound of one of your cylinders not firing. Also known as a misfire.

This is likely an ignition coil or distrubutor cap/rotor failure. If not that, one of your injectors has failed. Those are just the two most common issues, with the two easiest fixes I can think of...

 

Your ETS light is on? ETS (Electronic Throttle System). Which is your throttle body. This is a known factor to go wrong in many 1999+ Volvo's. There was a recall on it but that would be way over by now.

1. Do you know if them ETM ( Electronic Throttle Module ) has been replaced or not?
2. Do you know if them ETM has been cleaned or not?

If it hasn't been replaced and does need to be replaced your looking at a $900-$1200 repair bill. Sometimes it can be remided just by cleaning the ETM itsself.

FYI with the ETS light on your car may go into LIMP MODE, which it sounds like it is. I would have a Volvo mech look at your ETM and see if cleaning it doesn't fix the issue first. Your mech if a Volvo tech should know to check this. If it isn't a Volvo tech then they may not know to check it. I hate to take my car to the dealership but with this you may want to.