Over-revving V70 needs a new ECM ?

Just been back from my Volvo dealer in Limerick, Ireland. My year 2000
V70 has been over-revving (rev-counter is at "1" when sitting in
neutral) for the last week and they reckon I need a new ECM and
"softwear". They want to charge me 945 EURO + 45 EURO for "softwear";
of course this excludes VAT and Labour. How could an ECM fail in this
way ?

Hugh,

 

This isn't over-revving, but high idle. If the idle speed is too high there
could be a vacuum leak, I wouldn't be so quick to replace the ECU.

 

Probably what's happening is the electronic throttle is failing. This
is a common symptom of an even more common problem, and software has to
be loaded to tell your fuel computer about the new throttle module.

--
Mike F.
Thornhill (near Toronto), Ont.

NOTE: new address!!
Replace tt with t (twice!) and remove parentheses to email me directly.
(But I check the newsgroup more often than this email address.)

 

What is the potential damage (if any) of ignoring this for the moment
(for the next 1 thousand miles).

 

There's no potential for damage except external. The throttle unit may
stop working completely, if it happens in the wrong place you could be
stranded, or even in an accident.

--
Mike F.
Thornhill (near Toronto), Ont.

NOTE: new address!!
Replace tt with t (twice!) and remove parentheses to email me directly.
(But I check the newsgroup more often than this email address.)