I don't even want to post anymore! I swear I have to get rid of it but I am probably hooped with that too. I was driving it today and noticed that when accelerating form a dead stop like from a stop light say, once you hit the gas and it starts to move ahead, right after it changes from 1st to second, it shudders and feels like if you were driving over those speed reducers that make the car vibrate as you drive over them.
could this have anything at all to do with the timing belt?? if not what am I possibly dealing with now??

I am so depressed I almost wish someone would steal this car!![&o][&o][&o][&o][&o]

 

I think now is a good time to get rid of it.

No, the timing belt has nothing to do with such symptom. Most likely it is coming from the transmission or malfunctioning ABS/TRAC.

Take a look at this recall:
http://www.autobuyguide.com/2004/12-...lls/index.html

2004 Volvo XC90 Recall ID from NHTSA: 03V434000[/align]Auto Recall Date: 11/04/2003
Vehicle Component: WHEELS
Estimated Vehicles Affected: 2586
2004 VOLVO XC90 Defect Summary:
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSORS MAY BE DEFECTIVE, CAUSING AN ERRONEOUS WHEEL SPEED SIGNAL.
Defect Consequence:
THIS CAN ADVERSELY AFFECT A NUMBER OF VEHICLE FUNCTIONS, INCLUDING BRAKE, ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, AND TORQUE DISTRIBUTION CONTROL WHICH RELY ON THIS SIGNAL FOR PROPER OPERATION.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT WHEEL SENSORS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 8, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO CARS AT 1-800-458-1552.
Notes: VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC., 127A

If not done, have it done at the dealer. There should be no charges for recall services. Also, ask for engine or transmission ECU (Electronic Control Unit) software updating. This service may be charged.


JPN

 

Thanks JPN, I guess back to the shop it goes.

~~~~sigh~~~~

kari

 

Ihate to mention this so late in the game (and JPN and I don't agree on this), but with high cost vehicles like Volvo's, BMW's, etc. extended warranty would be helpful if you intend to keep a vehicle for extended milage. At some point a lot of things start failing at once. The cost of the warranty will likely beminimal compared to the cost of the repairs. I'm speaking from experience....Like I mentioned before, the GM tranny on the T6 is a disaster. Hope it works out with no more expenses on your part, but I agree with JPN that you should probably get rid ofyour XC90 at this point. Whatever your next vehicle, do some good research on extended warranty.

 

The way it worked for us was that we bought the car with 95000 kms on it already, we had it inspected and we test drove it. we bought the extended warranty and it was for 35000 kms. we paid over 2000 dollars for this warranty and didn't have to use it once... until it was expired, that is when everything started. This was not bought from a volvo dealer so it wasn't CPO something that I would highly recommend to anyone thinking of buying. So, as you see we had an extended warranty it just wasn't extended enough!

So yes, the ad's have gone out and I hope I can get rid of this car, I really thought that this was going to be my car for a good long time, it has only been a year and a half.

kari.

 

Mr. Atornquist, would you be kind enough to tell us the name of the company where you bought your extended warranty from? I believe that would help many car owners, as you seem to have had quite positive experiences with your extended warranty.

Thanks,


JPN

 

I boughmy extended warranty frommy Volvo Dealer withCNA National Warranty Corporation. I opted for the New/Near New Vehicle Coverage plan called "Automotive Preferred Care" with an optional "Seal and Gasket Package". This coveres everything (mechanical & electronic)for 100,000 miles/84 months.CNA also offer user vehicle coverages.

 

Hi Mr. Atornquist,

I believe it is the safest to go with new car dealers' warranty package, because the majority of horror stories I've been hearingare with non-dealer warranties.

Thanks for your reply, I believe it would help many Volvo owners.


JPN

 

But as you can see, not everyone has the ability to get one of those snazzy warranties he mentions, I am not sure if you buy a used volvo form dealer X and drive to a volvo dealership if you are able to buy an extended warranty from them. If you can that would be the way to go.

 

BTW Kari, is your XC90 back from the shop? Did you have the wheel sensor recall done? I believe that recall applied to Canadian models too.

If you would, let us know how it went.


JPN

 

Just phoned Volvo right now, I am done dealing with who my husband wants me to deal with, I started to think about this car and the only times I have ben happy with it's repairs and felt confident was when it came back from being fixed at the dealer. So, I called them right now and asked them what it may be and the guy said that it may be the drive shaft. I don't know if I ever posted about the engine mounts being shot causing the drive shaft to move around and it was making a clicking noise. Once the mechanic realized it was the mounts and fixed that the noise stopped but he told us we would eventually need a new drive shaft as the one we had was already damaged. It wasn't imperative that we get it done right then and there because the noise had stopped. I was told by that guy that I could only buy a drive shaft as a complete unit and all I need really are the U joints. Now, I phone Volvo and the guy says it might be this and I say yeah and I am looking at at least 1400 right (I have really done my research on this one!!) and he say... get this... well yes if you need the whole thing but if it is just a U joint then the cost is reduced substantially. So what is it, do they only sell them as a whole or can you actually get just the U joints??
The funny thing about it is that it only does it at a certain speed, it has to be that middle of the road speed. If you gun it, it doesn't do it, if you pull away nice a slow (ala granny driver) it doesn't do it. it is when you give it just that right amount of gas that it shimmy's.
So On wednesday it is going in... I spend more time driving this car to shops than driving it for fun!! However, if I get it to Volvo and they say it is the U joints I will be one happy camper.

I will for sure ask about the wheel sensor recall when I drop it off, Plus I believe there was a seat belt recall too. Also will be asking for the ECU you mentioned JPN, just out of curiosity what is the ball park figure for that?? I mean they could tell me 600.00 and It wouldn't shock me at this point... nothing shocks me at this point actually.

 

It is strange that most places don't seem to sell parts for XC90 and other newer Volvos.

As for service manual, have you checked these?:

http://search.ebay.com/search/search...stal&lsot2=

I might as well get one for myself, as Tech is tied up with other models and no one here seems to be expert on XC90s except one or two who do not come here on an everyday basis like I do.

Make sure to request the dealer rep to show you exactly which parts failed and which parts need replacement. And if you do not find any faults after your own visual inspection, demand a logical explanation in a polite manner. If they cannot answer your questions without hesitation/reluctance, leave and find another dealer/shop. If you do not see any fault on the driveshaft itself, tell them just to do the universal joint. Yes, a failing u-joint can only show symptoms at certain speeds. I've once replaced the u-joint on the propeller shaft on an F-150 and the u-joint was making squeaky noise only at certain lower speeds (at around 25-35 mph).

Some dealers are known to make you fall for it. One time I was at a dealer for 4-wheel alignment, and the service rep told me I needed a new control arm for the rear suspension. I requested him that they show me the defect, and it was so negligible that they could still keep the alignment within the factory specifications and I told them just to do the alignment and forget this $1,400 (this number seems to be their favourite number, ain't it?) control arm.

If you have a digital camera, take some pics around the drive shaft and post them here. If you do not have a digital camera, well, think about getting one because it will save you in the future, whether you need help with this evil XC90 or your future vehicle (yes,even if you part with your Volvo, you can still take the advantage of Off Topic section). All you need, I believe, is a CDN $100 or so camera. As long as it is Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Fujifilm, etc..., it should be fine even if it is made in C....(everything is made in C.... so what can I do?). Japanese gave up on manufacturing their own products except high-end products or automobiles.

Again, I would invest in one car book (I usually buy English books from Amazon.com) + a digital camera. Teach yourself the basics about cars, and the more you know the less they can take advantage of you & your hard-earned money. The more you save on your car, the more you can spend on your family. I hope we can help you reduce your headache better than Tylenol/Advil/Bufferin can.


JPN

 

Hi JPN, yes I do have a camera. I will definitely be asking to see and have them explain EXACTLY what they are doing and why. I have thought long and hard about this car and I think I have to keep it. Reasons being that I still owe more than I would get at this point with the kms it has on it. Also I figured out that I have put in at least 4000.00 into it in the year and a half that I have had it. Why would I sell it now knowing that the engine mounts are new, the ball joints are new, the rear bearings are new, the sway bars in the back are new, The timing belt is new, the wheels are new and it will have either a new drive shaft or parts of one tomorrow. I figure at this stage of the game the car is worth more for me to keep than to basically give away now that all that has been done. It drives well (when I avoid making it shimmy upon acceleration) looks new inside and out and, well... most of the parts in it ARE new!!

So even though I was ready to leave it parked on a busy street downtown with the keys in it, I think I will give it another go, after all the thing did get me to Texas and back through some of the worst weather imaginable not this last Christmas but the one before.

Kari

fingers tightly crossed for a good outcome tomorrow.

 

Noted, be sure to fire away with technical questions to keep the running cost down as much as possible. If you feel the XC90 forum is slow, try General Volvo Chat.


JPN