I recently took my car in for the 50,000 mile service, a check engine light, and a ticking noise from the engine compartment. They told me that the ticking noise is, and i quote "the result of a new air pump". I asked how it could be new, I never had one replaced, he told me that it's not new, it's a new style... so I asked, if its been there the whole time, how come I never heard the noise (it's quite obnoxious and loud) before? No reply.....

Ok...

Another issue I had was my reverse lights. When put in reverse, the lights do not illuminate unless the stick is moved around in gear. This is the third time my car has gone in to the dealer and the third time the problem has been unduplicatable. How come everytime I leave work I see the rear of my car in the window behind me and the reverse lights DO NOT illuminate? GRRRRR (yes, I realize this isn't so much Volvo's problem as a generic "law" that stuff doesn't happen when you're at the dealer.

This same dealer was unable to diagnose my bad throwout bearing, where another dealer in the area (bad for their own reasons) finally did (after I took a tech for a ride), and then replaced it happily.

I'm almost (500 miles) out of warranty and don't want to end up forking over cash for this "air pump" or for the electricals involved for these reverse lights.

Oh well, any suggestions anyone?

Scott

P.S. - I was also told that my two right wheels were slightly bent. Does anyone know whether there is a solution to this other than buying new ones? How bad is it to just drive with the bent wheels....

I'm not an expert but I was given the same BS about bent wheels. If you really had a bent wheel it wouldn't hold the tire and would be leaking air like the hindenburg. I've been riding on "bent" wheels for 10 years and I have no problems, balancing them or otherwise.

On another note, I gave up on my Vovlo dealer. Shortly after purchasing our car I noticed there was severe wear on the outside of both front tires. The dealership claims that "we must have done it." I gave them the benefit of the doubt thinking maybe the tires were put on from another car that had problems. New tires, same problem. I brought my car 40 miles away to a frame and front end specialist who has an incredible reputation. They noticed the problem right away and commented how they couldn't figure out how anyone could miss this, $45 problem fixed.

Volvo looked at it for me and they "couldn't see anything wrong." I've given up on them for anything but free warranty work.

Hey, you can trip once, but don't trip more than once over the same thing unless you're deaf and blind.

If your current dealer service dept is INCOMPETENT, then FIRE their asses. . . go elsewhere. Go write a complaint letter to the service manager and/or dealership owner, and carbon-copy your local Better Business Bureau.

I can relate . . . I went in for a 60K service, and the dealer service dept told me I needed new front rotors and pads . . . had it done . . . two weeks later, the car vibrated, and the dealer service dept said I needed rear rotors and pads. I'm thinking, what are the chances the front and back rotors going bad. I gave the dealer the benefit of the doubt, but my gut feeling said I got taken for a ride! Needless to say, I go to a different place now for service our Volvos.

Good luck

95 850GLT w/116000 miles

98 V70XC w/37000 miles

800/70 series typically need new front pads every 30K miles

and new front rotors every 2nd set of pads (so, 60K). Varies

a bit on how the car is driven. Your rotors were probably

just worn out and did not go bad. When the rotor is new it is

flat. If you go feel the edge of your rotor with your

fingernal you will feel a lip -- this lip is the amount of

wear since new. There is actually a surprising amount of wear.

I just replaced front rotors/pads on our 95 850 at 56K and the

existing rotors measured below tolerance (so it was time). On

the back, I only needed pads. So, I don't think you were

taken on the rotors/pads at 60K.

Rear pads should go to about 60K before replacement but rear

rotors should last a long time.

To begin with, they don't love your car. They may not even like their job. And this is compounded by the fact that dealerships are corporations with high cost levels whose duty it is to protect the bottom line...and true customer service runs afoul of this. Parts will be sold at the highest profit margins. Service will be dispensed grudgingly. So unless you've bought into the highest price cars (MB, BMW, Lexus) whose bloated sticker prices includes prepaid customer service, you're not likely to be particularly well served no matter whose car you buy.

Individual dealerships, of course, can vary in their behavior or personality according to management prerogative. But good customer service has a measurable short-term impact on profitablity. (Of course, the long term view is: satisfy the customer, and they'll come back for the next car...maybe even for a lifetime.)

In my experience, nothing surpasses the service you'll get from an indy shop who's passionate about the car you own...and wants your repeat business. This results in great service and fair prices. And in my case, the indy shop I've been lucky enough to find is also certified by Volvo and IPD. He puts OE parts in my car at prices far below what Volvo would charge me for the same part - unless he knows of something better.

> In my experience, nothing surpasses the service you'll get from an

> indy shop who's passionate about the car you own...and wants your

> repeat business. This results in great service and fair prices. And

> in my case, the indy shop I've been lucky enough to find is also

> certified by Volvo and IPD. He puts OE parts in my car at prices far

> below what Volvo would charge me for the same part - unless he knows

> of something better.

You're a lucky bastard! I wish I had such a place.

Does the IPD website have a listing of "authorized" or "recommended" shops?

Thanks,

Scott

Yes, they do

I have been very pleased with Swedish Automotive in Seattle

See the link below for the list:

I believe you'll see it in their monthly newsletter.

If a dealer cant reproduce a problem, there is no way that they can or will fix something. If you can personally demonstrate the problem for them on their lot, they have no wiggle room, do it.

If a dealer says the problem is "not a problem, they all do it", ask to be shown an example. They have lots of cars on the lot, surely most of them should exhibit the same behavior.

Good luck.

Well, I actually did get a chance to exhibit my reverse light issue, and when I bring the car back for the parts they had ordered, they will fix it. (though the guy looked clueless a to what the problem may be, I printed the instructions from volvospeed to hand to him)

As far as another example, I thought of that as I was leaving, when I bring it back to get the parts they had ordered I will ask them to show me an example as well, thanks for the advice.

Scott

Scott, When you are paying a dealer for service, they are working for you......so next step....tell them these two words.

YOUR FIRED

Then find a dealer service dept. that knows what time it is!

As for ANY warrenty issues....if you have a work order that shows the problem as existing while the warranty is still in force, you should have no problem getting the said problem(s) fixed!

As for the wheels.....I dont subscribe to the idea of "fixing" bent or cracked aloys(if thats what you have), so I guess I would just start shopping for new ones, but thats just my .02¢

Here aree the notes on the well-known issue with the

backup lights on manual transmission vehicles:

http://volvospeed.com/Repair/tranbackup.htm

Maybe you should point the delaer to this?

(Bay 13 should be required reading for Volvo service managers.)

Scott- I feel for you, man! for some reason, some dealers will misdiag. your problems under warranty and as soon as you're on your own, BOOM! it's your valves/pistons/injectors or something expensive to fix. On the reverse light problem, seems like a something is shorting-out! Take it to an indie and see what they say(can't hurt and will be cheaper to diag. than dealer).all the best, BD