[99S80man]

hey everybody. first time on this site. i recently purchased a 99 volvo s80 and i was wondering if any of you guys had any info on these cars that you might like to share with me. (factory defects, S80 specifics) it has 120k on it, so i was wondering if you guys can recomend a good set of shocks that wont cost me my right arm. also, what kind of fluid does the automatic transmission take? (inline 6 cyl, non turbo) is it just regular old dextron mercon 3? or is it something special? and once i change the tranny fluid, how do i reset the message indicator so that it no longer says "transmission service"? and does anyone know a way to program my own keyless entry that i bought off of ebay?(its made for this car. its the original.) have any of you ever had any trouble with the airbag light? the car has a clean carfax report, so i dont think its ever been wrecked. i want the light to go off, but i dont want to pay the $400 the stupid dealership probly wants to diagnose and fix this. ok so i had a lot of questions. i used to have a 95 850 turbo. thats why i love volvo's now.

 

[99S80man]

Re: new to the volvo scene. bought a 99 s80. got a few questions. (99S80man)

Dang! it just occured to me that this thread is in the wrong forum. can a mod please move it to the correct one for me please?

 

[JRL]

Re: new to the volvo scene. bought a 99 s80. got a few questions. (99S80man)

You may have more problems than moving the thread.
If your car says actually says "transmission service" (never saw that), prey.
Hopefully a service alone will keep it in one piece but if it's never had a service and it has 120K miles there is a possibility that it's no good. Is it not working properly? Use that special Mobil fluid
99s are a 1st year car and they had numerous problems
The dealer has to program your key IF he can at all. This is a Vadis/Vida computer controlled car, everything has to be programmed by the dealer, you cannot anymore. If you break a door switch, dealer, ANYTHING, dealer, sorry
Many of the ones bought off Ebay seldom work

 

[Copeland]

I think your first problem was buying a 99 instead of a '00- and up. The key you bought off eBay can probably be programmed at the dealership, but like JRL said sometimes they don't work. Your service light is on probably because it needs its 105,000 or 115,000 mile "check-up" or you may have a serious problem i.e. your tranny light. You need to bring your car to the dealership a.s.a.p. Do you know if the timing belt was replaced at 105,000 miles like it is recommended? Also does your vehicle have all of the service records?

 

[99S80man]

Re: new to the volvo scene. bought a 99 s80. got a few questions. (JRL)

it doesnt actually say transmission service. it says something like that i just cant remember it right now. it just hit the 120k marker, so i looked in the manual for scheduled service info and sure enough, the tranny is supposed to have a fluid change at 120k. so that explains it. but what kind of mobil brand fluid does it take? i need to know the exact fluid, cause my freind owns a kwik lube shop and the dealer wants $200 to service the tranny.

 

[Copeland]

Call your local dealership...they'll tell you....but i would still be worried about that timing belt.

Think of it this way a '99 s80 is like Windows ME is was released with a ton of bugs untill XP came out (2000 s80's)

 

[99S80man]

Re: (Copeland)

so you think i should take the timing cover off and inspect the belt? is it hard to replace?

 

[99S80man]

Re: (99S80man)

also, i have a small water leak in the passenger side floorboard. (not antifreeze). just plain water. anyone ever had any experience with this

 

[Muskoka]

Re: (99S80man)

Quote, originally posted by 99S80man »

also, i have a small water leak in the passenger side floorboard. (not antifreeze). just plain water. anyone ever had any experience with this

I see you're in Texas. Are you running your A/C (or auto climate control) when you see the water? It may be condensation from the evaporator coil if the drain is plugged. Someone else may be able to tell you where it is (I'm only two months into my 2001 S80 myself), but if it's clear water, that would be my guess.

 

[99S80man]

Re: (Muskoka)

evporator coil? what exactly does this do? is it under the dash? how would the drain get plugged?

 

[Copeland]

Just go to your local Volvo dealership and get in good with one of the guys (it helps service lights etc reset in my car for free) and just have them check it out. It might cost a few hundred but in the end its going to save your ass....that timing belt if it has not been replaced could cost you your car...best person to talk to other than your Volvo dealer seems to be JRL. He knows what he is talking about....try to get in contact with him.

 

[Muskoka]

Re: (99S80man)

Quote, originally posted by 99S80man »

evporator coil? what exactly does this do? is it under the dash? how would the drain get plugged?

The evaporator coil is a part of the air conditioning system. Without getting too technical, when air passes through this coil (when your A/C is running), one of the things that happens is moisture is removed from that air - that's where the condensation comes from. The condensation then drains away to the ground, usually through a tube which more often than not passes through the firewall; That's why on a warm day when you've been running the A/C you'll often find a puddle of water under the passenger side when you return to the car in the parking lot. It is not unheard of for this drain to become plugged with debris or dirt, which can then prevent the condensation from draining out of the car, causing the water to leak into the passenger compartment.

I hope that helps some. Ask your mechanic to check it when you bring the car in for your other issues.

 

[Bradley W]

I've got a '99 s80 6 months ago... I like the car, it has a great deal of space and all. I have had few problems, just the basic stuff that goes wrong w/ any car.

 

[99S80man]

Re: (Muskoka)

you sir, are awesome. but i will fix it myself rather than pay someone, if possible.