I was asked "Why Volvo?" I answered "Because I'm trying to bankrupt myself... There's always something needing fixed!!!”
The evening before I took the V70 for its MOT I was browsing Youtube when a video about Volvo brake vacuum pumps appeared on my home page that piqued my interest. I watched the video from start to finish and decided it was something I should investigate and out I went to the garage.
I followed the video instructions only to discover that my pump was not working. I removed the plug to the switch and checked for 12v but there was zero volts and further research took me to the 20 amp fuse (number 33) under the steering column which had blown so I fitted a 10 amp fuse and now had 12v at the switch, I plugged the switch back in only to have some smoke appear at the switch so removed the fuse and went for my MOT the next morning.
After the MOT I asked the tester how the brakes were and he said the readings were all very good. I then explained my finding from the night before and he said as the brakes are good then there is nothing to worry about but he also said knowing me I would sort it out.
My local Volvo dealership wanted £516 for a new pump which is made by Hella and has a Volvo/Hella sticker. After a lot of research and cross referencing numbers a new Hella pump was sourced for £90. New genuine Volvo switch and retainer is on its way from Sweden via another dealership so will need to wait on that arriving.
If you have a petrol automatic V70 check out the linked video to see if your vacuum pump is working as it should…
Click for Youtube link
![Image]()
![Image]()
The evening before I took the V70 for its MOT I was browsing Youtube when a video about Volvo brake vacuum pumps appeared on my home page that piqued my interest. I watched the video from start to finish and decided it was something I should investigate and out I went to the garage.
I followed the video instructions only to discover that my pump was not working. I removed the plug to the switch and checked for 12v but there was zero volts and further research took me to the 20 amp fuse (number 33) under the steering column which had blown so I fitted a 10 amp fuse and now had 12v at the switch, I plugged the switch back in only to have some smoke appear at the switch so removed the fuse and went for my MOT the next morning.
After the MOT I asked the tester how the brakes were and he said the readings were all very good. I then explained my finding from the night before and he said as the brakes are good then there is nothing to worry about but he also said knowing me I would sort it out.
My local Volvo dealership wanted £516 for a new pump which is made by Hella and has a Volvo/Hella sticker. After a lot of research and cross referencing numbers a new Hella pump was sourced for £90. New genuine Volvo switch and retainer is on its way from Sweden via another dealership so will need to wait on that arriving.
If you have a petrol automatic V70 check out the linked video to see if your vacuum pump is working as it should…
Click for Youtube link
