Recall notice

[Pleasantly Surprized]

I just received in the mail that my 2002 S80 possible has a faulty
calibration data in my engine control module which may cause the Evaporative
leakage detection system to operate incompletely. My check engine light has
not illuminated, but can this cause permanent damage to the car if there is
a defect. They say a software upgrade can be performed by my dealer in
about two hours. What is this all about?

 

[Bob Noble]

This has been an issue for some years, beginning with the advent of the
highly computerized S80. It seems that Volvo have finally heard the
many, *many* complaints and decided to do something. Acting on this
kind of problem may be one of the better things to come from association
with an American manufacturer - one accustomed to being sued for
anything and everything . . .

The basis for this is a "fault" seen by the OBD computer system when the
gas cap is less than fully closed. The absolute pressure in the gas
tank does not respond to computer commands and this is seen as a failure
of a portion of system integrity relating to control of emissions from
the tank and/or the filtering system through which the tank breathes.

Most owners don't like unending fault messages and don't have the needed
goodies to reset them, so visit their dealer for help. During warranty,
the dealer was pretty well stuck with having to take the time to pacify
his customer *and* faced the inevitable word from Volvo that they would
no longer honor the same request from a VIN associated with an owner who
seemed unable to set the cap properly. Didn't go over too well!

I just received the letter relative to our S60AWD. Maybe in for the fix
later this week.

bob noble
Reno, NV, USA