2004 XC90 Reduced Engine Performance with Cruise & Transmission Issues

**04XC90SAD** · 10-19-2009, 03:33 PM

After tapping my break due to traffic, and then hitting the resume on my cruise, the yellow/orange ! indicator light flashed and the car went almost dead, to limp mode. The message displayed was "Reduced Engine Performance". Cars were coming along behind me at 70-80+ mph and I was barely able to get to the left shoulder before we almost got smacked. I had 2 of my children with me and was stuck on a tollway. After 15 minutes off, I tried the engine and it came back on with no warnings. Though dangerous, I was able to pull out into left lane traffic and get on the road again, all feeders as soon as possible, to try and get home. Anyone else have this issue?

In the last 9 weeks, we've had this limp/failure 4 times now with different warning messages. We've replaced the transmission, coolant system and the alternator twice now. It only has 66K on it!

It is NOT just the T6 with transmission problems as mine is a 2.5L and NOT AWD.

Would love to hear if anyone has any ideas so I know how to react when I get the "diagnosis".

I am SO DONE with this car. This was the 3rd limp mode on a highway. I think we are lucky to be alive. We spent the bucks on this car BECAUSE of it's safety record. Not to mention needing to replace tires so often....it's been a huge disappointment.

**04XC90SAD** · 10-20-2009, 04:43 PM

Diagnosed as needing replacement Engine Control Module. Service Advisor intends to drive it home to test it after replaced. Will update once I get it back, though frankly I really don't want to drive it anywhere! Sad to buy a vehicle for its safety features, yet its reliability makes it unsafe.

**dmd** · 10-20-2009, 08:31 PM

They are machines, and they can break... They can also be fixed.

Never heard of a trans issue with a 2.5.... What did they say was the cause?

What do you mean "coolant system? The water pump?

ECM makes since as the probable cause .

**04XC90SAD** · 10-20-2009, 09:06 PM

Of course things can break! However, when you maintain regularly and drive responsibly, one would not expect a car this age and with fairly low miles to shut off 3 times in traffic within 3 months timeframe, when repaired after each time. We are lucky to be alive the way this has happened with NO WARNING. We were "lucky" once and the CHECK ENGINE light came on in a parking lot instead of driving in traffic. It's hard to trust with it in the shop now 4 times in less than 3 months. I thought it could be "fixed" but now I am skeptical. Our Infinity is almost 10 years old and has only been in the shop for maintenance service. We expected better reliability with Volvo.

I've read other threads here and elsewhere regarding T5s requiring transmission replacement, but of course not to the same degree you read on T6s. They did not speculate a cause when asked. We had it just go to limp and would not reset as you read about at times.

When the alternator went out, we had the engine thumps/thrusts/knock that kept getting worse before the a/c, radio, windows, dash, etc...all electrical systems starting going haywire and then as it went to limp mode the CHECK ENGINE came on and we were stuck on a 2 lane highway on a curve with trucks roaring down the road. It was frightening. We were in the middle of vacation almost 4 hours from home.

They said they replaecd the coolant system and itemized thermosta kit, radiator, oil cooler, core return, etc.

**dmd** · 10-21-2009, 06:22 AM

It appears that the issue was not fixed the first time, causing 3 more problems. Could
be more of a problem with where it is being taken and them not fixing it the first time.

I would have no idea why they would need to replace all that cooling stuff, did the
oil cooler fail and fill the system with oil? I wonder of the trans has a oil-to-water cooler
and the trans was contaminated with water... Never take a non-answer as an
answer..

**04XC90SAD** · 10-22-2009, 09:02 AM

I'm taking it to the original dealer for repairs, luckily have had all under extended warranty or got approval for Volvo to foot the bill besides $100.

They said this was a different set of codes/issues than was thrown prior, even if some symptoms similar. So, I don't think all were this issue and repaired incorrectly. Well, once was - they put the wrong alternator in the first time it was repaired!

Still not ready to p/u so no final word.