Volvo S40 owners, engine underperforming

pghurson

Hi, I have been getting message "engine under-performing" on my 06 Vehicle for 3 years. I must say it is very sporadic, I can go for 8 months, no problem. Recently, it appeared on turning on ignition key, not evening moving.

Local mechanic with basic equipment pinpointed problem, NOTE: low power supply to acellator pedal sensor unit. Put me in touch with a guy in Limerick (I'm in Ennis). He said he could only sort problem when active.

Point I'm making, Kenny in Galway recommended replacement of pedal unit, which I did, no joy, €250. Then charged €100 for examination of car. Quote €800 to €900 to replace all sensors with further testing required. I might be old but I'm not stupid, why replace sensors that are working???

My mechanic in Ennis pointed out when its active get it sorted, he thinks it's a relay switch. I await to see what's next. No joy from Volvo, no reply from e-mails. The guy in Limerick is Volvo trained from Romania. He says no problem, when serious he will fix.

Hope this help, I love my car but not Volvo company. I was considering buying new Volvo, but not now.

Regards Paul H.

R.O.R

Which engine?

If it's the 1.8 it could be the alternator. Had similar symptoms in the wife's car until it just stopped .

kirving

Have an S40 and have my suspicions about a dodgy alternator or battery. Few things like traction control errors when it was cold, revs dropping the odd time, a few little things like that. Very rare, but the common denominator in all is a power issue.

800 to replace all sensors is a cop out

bazz26

Dodgy alternators are very common on the the 1.6 and 1.8 petrol models as they are the same as the ones used in the Ford Focus with the same engines.

Opinicus

I have a C30 2.0D which shares engines with the S40 AFAIK. I had a few similar messages relating to ESP etc. pop up just before my alternator died fully. IF you have a multi-meter you could check if it's working okay.

charcosull

Not surprised about Kenny's in Galway.
Even trying to buy parts from the parts counter is a horrible experience.

pghurson

Thanks guys for your feedback. Re my advice to "Engine Under Performing", my mechanic along with speaking to a Volvo trained electrical and on-board computer expert, suggested that I ignore the message until it becomes constant, i.e.turning on ignition.

Their advice don't go replacing parts on the advice of a Volvo Dealer. The ex-Volvo guy says think Computers i.e Bug in Software, can pop up anytime and for the most part doesn't mean anything. Though have to admit first time it happened in the Sth of France, how are we going to get back to boat. turned engine off for ten minutes and no problem for another eight months. Second was scary, on road trip from Ennis to Belfast, outside Kildare, outside lane, severe drop in power and massive increase in revs. Was on edge for rest of journey.

Bottom line, most recent messages have had no effect on performance, just messages. In the 3 years I've had the car I have had the odd message about steering etc but no apparant problem, and this in the driveway. Get my drift.

Many thanks again for your comments.