is my car safe?

[lp997]

Does the right to retain the faulty parts apply in all states. Dealer was reluctant to let me have the failed parts. They claimed they had to be sent back to Germany.

[Kidasters]

No - your car isn't safe

sell it - now

for cheap.

you can thank me for saving your life after you buy a volvo.

[lp997]

I think I would shoot myself before I was caught in a Volvo...especially a wagon

[jurhip]

lp997 - I am not sure about state to state laws. But, I believe the basis is that the parts are not theirs (i.e. you paid for the car and all its original "parts" whether good or bad) and they must provide proof of a charge.

Given this is warranty work I am not sure how this applies. Depending on the part they are sending to Germany you may not be able to do anything with it anyway - such as a TCS control board. However, I think you have the right to find out what they found and what they replaced. Warranty or not, this is something you should have the right to document.

[RSBob]

Considering there are many of us that have no electronic stability, power brakes, ABS, traction control, or other nannies, we seem to get along just fine. So you will probably be able to manage unless you intend to drive the car at 8/10s or beyond. But you do need to get it fixed.

[hcoles]

@jurhip, good point if they replaced the PWA at least we would have something to look at, could be a bad solder joint or other defect could be seen. I wonder if anyone here has had one of these modules replaced and received the faulty part even when you indicate on the repair form. I'll bet not.

[lp997]

I think it will be a little while before I trust this car at track speeds. Since the brake engagement issue happened at random, it is not simply a matter of "managing" to not use TCS and a computer dependency. Yes there is a button on the console, but there are a few of these cars that also have a fault there too (early 2007 cars). I also have an old skool 911 so I have learned how to drive at speed without depending on the computer. On track, the computer is usually turned off or you can s put excessive wear on your rear rotors. At least one of the undesired brake lock ups happened when tcs was off. I think I'll start with some around town driving on Sunday mornings to start testing. Not thinking I want to risk a spin at Sebring.

[lp997]

In Florida, the state consumer affairs dept regulates repair shops. Since the repair was done under warranty, they do not have to give you the parts. I have learned a few things from following up on the suggestions posted here. Thanks to everyone for their thoughts. ECU so far checks out fine. Waiting to see warranty paperwork to see what they actually repaired.

[stlrj]

My Volvo "only car I would buy" brother would never set foot in my 74 because it doesn't have air bags, not to mention all the other safety features that are missing.

[JeremyD]

yeah, you wouldn't want an inadvertent rear wheel lock up going through 1 at 80 miles per hour.

[lp997]

Originally Posted by JeremyD

yeah, you wouldn't want an inadvertent rear wheel lock up going through 1 at 80 miles per hour.

Yeah or turn 14 at over 100!

[JeremyD]

yeah - the wall is closer on 14 too. - good point

[lp997]

Turns out there was a problem with the DME which sent all the on board systems haywire. Test-drive went ok (since I am not posting from the hospital)

[hcoles]

I assume the paper work or someone said it was a problem with the DME and this caused some part of the system to go crazy. IMO this is an admission of poor design. What other failure modes haven't they analyzed? Sometimes I get the feeling that certain companies have the attitude of "oh yeah, they do that, bring it in we'll fix it".