Hi, I am a Noobie to this forum but am now a new owner of my 4th Volvo. I've just bought a '03 S80 T-6 w/ 77K on it. I love the car but when I test drove it and accelerated hard, the rpm's lifted in stages. 2K-4K then level out for a sec, then 4-5K then level again. I test drove 2 '03 T-6s and they did the same thing. The Dealer tells me that it is a safty feature that doesn't allow over boost, a sort of wastegate.
Well I bought the car (with an Extended Warranty) and it still does it. Is this related to the big ECM debacle that is haunting Volvo ?

* This forum is great! I wish I'd joined this forum before I bought it though.
Thanks,

 

I had this problem too. Mine was caused by the turbo control module. it isa little device snapped on the side of the airbox that has a couple vaccum hoses and 1 plug attached. easy to replace(real easy) and not that expensive - I picked it up from my local volvo for about $55 (employee discount). check it out.

 

I have a 2001 and I put the solenoid on as well and it did help a bit. On my way to work today I discovered something. It doesn't do it if the transmission shifts to 3rd, then to second. I put the pedal down more slowly allowing it to shift to third briefly then put it to the mat and it pulls smooth with no lag at all. When I mash it and it goes from 4th to 2nd, it pulls hard, levels for a second, then pulls again strong. I think it is the turbos may have to get into sync when they both spool really quick.

 

did you try and shut off your "STC" - stability traction control? I notice that itdoes that 2-4k....4-5k, is it almost a slight pause that your describing? then after the pause it accelerates?..... might be your tires are slipping on sand or something?

 

Emcmanus,
Thank You. You hit it right on the head. The Turbo ControlSolenoid. I took it back to Car-Max and gave them your sugesstion. They sent it over to the Volvo dealer with your hint and that was it. It pulls steady and strong now, right through all the ranges.
And God do I love this car!This is my 4th Volvo but none were like this car. It is so solid,smooth and fast! This car is so under the radar!
'Ya know I haven't named a car in years but I've got a feeling that"Sally "and I will be sneaking through a lot of alleys in the years to come.
Thanks again

 

I hear ya with the STC. It really affects my car in 1st and 2nd. Shut it off, go to manual shift and hang on!!!!

 

hahahah, I use the tiptronic a lot... I love using it lol....maybe i shud have gotten a manual but then againthey do not offfer it :S

 

Just to add something about this. I had the same problem - no error codes nor engine lights but surging under high acceleration. I also replaced the turbo boost control solenoid and it helped. My mechanic said that in the old one that was malfunctioning, you could blow through the one pipe freely and air would come out the other pipe. On the new one that is working, when not wired, you cannot blow through the pipes - a valve is closed.... So an easy test to see if the solenoid is working is to take of the pipes and wire connector and try blowing through it.