How

Volvo
Turbo
Systems
Work

Volvo TechTips 26
The turbocharger boost pressure in Volvos is If the car has a manual transmission, the ECM
controlled by the Boost Pressure Control (BPC) valve determines which gear is selected based on the
whose pressure regulator is affected by the pressure transmission and final drive gear ratios, engine speed
from the turbocharger. (rpm), and vehicle speed.

The Engine Control Module (ECM) determines current On cars with automatic transmission there is also
throttle angle and boost pressure to achieve the boost pressure reduction in the winter mode.
calculated engine torque output.
Boost pressure can also be reduced to protect the
The Engine Control Module (ECM) affects the engine from damage. If the knock sensors detect that
controlling pressure using the turbocharger the engine is knocking above a given threshold value,
control valve. and if ignition has been retarded and the air/fuel ratio
has been enriched, the ECM will reduce the boost
When the pressure increases, the Boost Pressure pressure until knock ceases.
Control (BPC) valve pressure regulator is affected.
When boost pressure has increased to the maximum A reduction in boost pressure also takes place if there is
permissible value, the boost pressure control valve a risk of the engine overheating. If the Engine Coolant
opens and part of the exhaust gases bypass the Temp (ECT) sensor indicates that the temperature has
turbocharger's turbine which limits the boost pressure. exceeded 118 degrees C (244 degrees F), the ECM
Turbocharger control takes place constantly by lowers the boost pressure to reduce heat generation.
measuring the current boost pressure and comparing
it to the requested boost pressure. Automatic high altitude compensation
Because the ECM determines boost pressure using
Controlling turbocharger boost pressure the signal from the intake air pressure sensor, there is
When the engine control module determines automatic boost pressure control compensation when
that a higher boost pressure is permissible, the driving at altitude and in different temperatures. The
turbocharger control valve opens further and a engine power is not, therefore, noticeably affected by
proportion of the pressure acting on the boost air density or temperature.
pressure control valve pressure servo is allowed
When altitude exceeds around 6,000 feet above sea
through to the turbocharger inlet.
level, the ECM cannot compensate boost pressure any
In this way the control pressure is reduced, the boost further because the air is too thin.
pressure control valve opens later, and turbocharger
pressure can increase. The engine control module Boost pressure monitoring
affects the turbocharger control valve by grounding The ECM constantly monitors boost pressure using
one of the terminals with a fixed frequency, where the Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor and the intake air
the signal's duty cycle determines how much the pressure sensor.
valve should open and therefore how much the boost
pressure can increase. If boost pressure exceeds permitted levels, the ECM
closes the turbocharger control valve so that the
engine torque can only be controlled through limiting
Boost pressure reduction
the throttle opening. A Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC)
The charge pressure is reduced when driving
is stored at the same time.
in first gear and reverse with engine speed rpm
below 3,000 rpm to reduce the risk of wheel spin. If the calculations display too low boost pressure, a
If the engine has an automatic transmission, the diagnostic trouble code is stored.
transmission receives information from the TCM
about when reduced charge pressure is required, for If a fault occurs in a component that affects boost
example, when shifting. pressure calculation, the ECM will always limit
throttle opening.
Opposite Page: If you have a car that has low turbo
boost, make sure to test and visually check the If there is a fault in any of the sensors, the boost
turbo's bypass valve (sometimes called a blow off pressure control goes over in an open loop. This
valve). The vacuum diaphragm inside can crack means that it is controlled by fixed duty cycle which is
and leak, causing some of the intake pressure to go a direct function of accelerator pedal position sensor
around the turbo fan. and engine speed (rpm).
Fall/Winter 2020 27
How Volvo Turbo Systems Work

One of the most common turbo control issues you will

see on older Volvos is caused by small leaks in rotted
vacuum control hoses.

You can check for wear in the turbine fan bearing by

trying to wiggle the shaft; a little play is normal, a lot is
cause for concern.

CASE STUDY
2000 VOLVO C70 2.4 L TURBO
WITH LOW TURBO BOOST COMPLAINT
This car is an early model turbo system, but most of
the Volvo turbo control systems have remained similar
up until the last few years.

The customer that brought this car in said that the car
had been losing power when the car was accelerating
onto the freeway, and the Check Engine light had just
come on in the last week. When checking for stored codes and data on a Volvo,
the best tool to use is Volvo's VIDA software system
The customer stated that the car seemed to perform because most generic scan tools will only give you
normally on city streets. part of the story.

The technician took the car on a test drive to confirm He started with a visual inspection of the engine
the customer’s complaint. compartment to check for any obvious issues like
loose or broken hoses or wiring; on first look there
As the technician was accelerating on city streets, the were no smoking guns.
car seemed to perform normally, but once the technician
was able to go onto the freeway and accelerate past The technician hooked up a laptop that had Volvo's
30 mph, the power problem became clear. VIDA software program and read the stored data and
trouble codes.
The car felt like it was falling on its face.
The tech experienced a loss of power around The ECM had stored the codes ECM 6806 and
2,500-3,000 rpm, and he had to hold the ECM 6800.
pedal down to get up to freeway speeds.
The setting criteria for ECM 6806 is as follows:
It almost felt like a transmission slipping symptom.
Condition
The tech drove the car back to the shop to start If engine speed (rpm) is above 3,500 rpm and the
the diagnosis. engine is operating at a high load, the control signal to
Volvo TechTips 28
 the turbocharger control valve is at maximum and the
boost pressure (from the boost pressure sensor) is lower
than a designated value [approximately 20 kPa (2.9 psi)
under normal boost pressure — signal too low].

If the air mass (from mass air flow sensor) is higher

than a desired value (signal too high), it is interpreted
as a fault and DTC ECM-6806 is stored.

Substitute value
Reduced boost pressure

Possible source
Signal too high:
• Air leakage after turbocharger

Signal too low:

• Hoses between the turbocharger and the
turbocharger control valve, or between the
turbocharger control valve and the pressure
servo, are loose or are blocked/damaged
• Faulty turbocharger control valve
• Faulty boost pressure control valve pressure servo
• Sticking boost pressure control valve

The ECM 6800 code was for a signal missing,

permanent fault, and the data pointed to an open
circuit or a defective turbo control valve.

Volvo's test procedure for this code is as follows:

Check turbocharger control valve connector for

intermittent contact resistance or oxidation. Check
signal cable between engine control module #A38 and
turbocharger control valve #2 for an intermittent open
circuit according to Checking Wiring and Terminals.

Intermittent faults
Check power supply turbocharger control valve
between turbocharger control valve #1 and system
relay for an intermittent open circuit according to
Checking Wiring and Terminals. Intermittent faults.

Remedy as necessary.

After an initial visual inspection of the engine

compartment, the tech could not find any obvious
signs of damage to the turbo control system or hoses.

Since the code ECM 6806 could be caused by an air

leak or unmetered air in the intake system, the tech
decided to perform a smoke test to see if there were
any leaks in the system.
If you have to repair a wire connection in a Volvo wire
harness, your Volvo parts department can provide new The most effective way to try to isolate the intake system
replacement pigtails and repair kits that will fit right during a smoke machine test is to disconnect and seal
the first time. the intake tube right behind the air mass sensor. This will
Fall/Winter 2020 29
How Volvo Turbo Systems Work

ensure that you can build enough pressure in the intake connector in the turbo control valve harness connector.
system to find even the smallest air leaks. One side was pulling out of the connector.

After running the tests for both the ECM 6800 and Below is one of the few turbo related TSBs or TJs that
ECM 6806, the problem turned out to be a loose wire Volvo has issued: TJ22295. •
Temperature-Manifold Air Pressure (T-MAP) sensor, poor performance

Ref No: US22295.2.2 en-US Func Group: 2380 Status Date: 12-21-2011
Partner: 3
 US 7510 Func Desc: control system Issue Date: 12-19-2011
Volvo Cars North America Status: Released Reference: VIDA, VSTG

Note: If using a printed copy of this Retailer Technical Note: Always refer to
Journal, first check for the latest online version. the chassis ranges
in the VIDA Parts Control Code Fault
Note: THIS DOCUMENT SUPERSEDES THE PREVIOUS Catalog for the
TECHNICAL JOURNAL 22295 DATED 07-13-2010. DTCs
Module Type
correct T-MAP sensor.
ECM P009A00 and P009600 have been added to the Earlier vehicles call ECM P009A00 Permanent
DTC list. PLEASE UPDATE YOUR FILES. for a different part ECM P009600 Permanent
number UNLESS the ECM P023400 Permanent
Description: symptoms and DTCs
ECM P023500 Permanent
A faulty T-MAP sensor, located at the outlet of the in this TJ are exhibited.
On these earlier ECM P023600 Permanent
intercooler on turbo engines, can cause poor performance
vehicles, use P/N ECM P023700 Permanent
and the DTCs listed in this TJ header.
31303975 only if the
ECM P023800 Permanent
symptoms and DTCs
Product Modificaiton: in this TJ are exhibited. ECM 125C Permanent
A new T-MAP sensor was introduced into production after ECM 125D Permanent
the final chassis numbers in this TJ header. The spare part ECM 1260 Permanent
Volvo Standard
stock has been scrapped and only the new type is available.
Times Guide ECM 126B Permanent
(VSTG) Info: ECM 126C Permanent
Service: Operation number ECM 126D Permanent
If the DTCs in this TJ header are set and fault tracing leads
28424 - Temperature/ ECM 1600 Permanent
to a faulty T-MAP sensor, replace the T-MAP sensor. Look
Pressure sensor
at sticker on T-MAP for P/N. The old P/N 30622083 is ECM P004600 Permanent
intake air replace
replaced by P/N 31303975.
(See VSTG).
• ECM
ECM
P004700
P004800
Permanent
Permanent

Code Description ECM P004900 Permanent

AJ Driving/Poor performance/lacks power ECM P004A00 Permanent

CR Gauges/Ambient temperature gauge not accurate/does not work ECM P004B00 Permanent

DL Warning lights and chimes/Malfunction Indicator Light ("Check engine" light) ECM P004C00 Permanent
indication/no indication ECM POO4D00 Permanent

Type Eng Eng Sales Body Gear Steer Model Plant Chassis range Struc Week
Desc Year Range
124 2007-2010 21 0000850-0123254 200620-200948
135 2008-2010 21 0000395-0142445 200720-200948
136 2008-2010 21 0000400-0082543 200720-200948
156 2010-2010 22 0000212-0087501 200905-200948
533 2007-2010 22 0000261-0191941 200637-200948
542 2006-2010 38 0000590-0097415 200549-200948
544 2004-2010 22 0000295-0500922 200339-200948
545 2005-2010 22 0000133-0549751 200420-200948

Volvo TechTips 30