Intermittent problem for years, recently getting frequent and annoying. Can an indie shop skilled in Volvo electrical handle this, or should I just take to dealer? I have not had service at dealer in years.

So I took it to the dealer since this has been an issue off and on since early 2007! In addition to the car starting then immediately dying, we also have an issue that 'seems like' clutch slipping (manual trans). Dealer says this is all related and NOT the antenna immobilizer ring. They say it is the Electronic Throttle Module: $1,200 repair. Dealer said this is a common part to fail. I called my regular indie shop to get an opinion; he pointed me to the warranty/recall/class action. I think this should have covered back in 2007 when we first took car in for the 'ignition' problem. Now it is beyond the 10 year limit. Not sure if anything I can do now.

Cuss, cuss, rant, rave... If you have ANY repair slips indicating a history with the dealer and this problem, bring it to the dealer's and Volvo's attention. If not, you will probably be out of luck.

There is an better option for replacing the ETM: www.xemodex.com
A Canadian outfit which will rebuild your ETM for around $500 and it will never fail again. It takes a week or less depending on shipping.

Klaus
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Always willing to listen, just not able to take direction.

Contact Volvo's Customer Care dept. Their job is to stick up for you when your dealer won't.

http://www.volvocars.com/us/footer/pages/contact-us.aspx

Volvo Cars of North America, LLC
Attn: Volvo Customer Care Center
1 Volvo Drive
P.O. Box 914
Rockleigh, New Jersey 07647

Tel: 1-800-458-1552
Email: Click here for the Contact Us form if you are an existing Volvo customer.
Hours: 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM EST, M - F
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1998 V70 AWD->FWD->AWD Turbo 215k+

Easily done by Indie or DIY. The cover surrounding the steering column has to come off and then it is easy from there.

Klaus
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Always willing to listen, just not able to take direction.