Volvo C70n problems
The Volvo C70 is a two-door, four-passenger sports GT manufactured and marketed by Volvo Cars from 1996 to 2013 across two generations.
The first generation (1996–2005) was available as both a coupé (1996–2002) and softtop convertible (1997–2005). The second generation (2006–2013) was available as a retractable hardtop convertible.
First generation (1996–2005)
Volvo debuted the first generation C70 at the 1996 Paris Motor Show, and introduced it in Europe as a 1997 model, and a year later as a 1998 model in North America — with 2.0 (sold mostly in Italy), a low-pressure turbo (2.4L) and a high-pressure turbo (2.0L and 2.3L), 5-cylinder, turbocharged petrol engines and manual and automatic transmissions. Ian Callum designed the exterior and Mexican designer Jose Diaz de la Vega led the interior design team.
The C70 broke Volvo's decades-long styling tradition of boxy, rectilinear designs and was Volvo's first luxury coupe since the 780. According to a tongue-in-check remark made by Peter Horbury, Volvo's design chief from 1991 to 2002, with the C70, Volvo "kept the toy, and threw away the box!" "Our vision was to design a convertible that would meet the needs of a family of four looking for comfortable blue-sky motoring in a vehicle also providing stylish looks, performance and faultless driving and road-holding."
In a development program of 30 months and working with a Volvo 850-derived platform, Britain’s TWR (Tom Walkinshaw Racing) co-designed the car's basic design and suspension tuning with Volvo. Manufacture of the C70 was a joint venture until the two companies experienced disputes that threatened to interrupt production; TWR did not contribute to the second generation C70.
Volvo's first modern convertible, the C70 was manufactured in Uddevalla, Sweden on an assembly line separate from the 70-series sedan and station wagon. The four-passenger convertible featured an electrically heated glass rear window; automatic (pop-up) rollover hoops system, marketed as ROPS; seat belt pre-tensioners; A-pillars reinforced with boron steel; front and side airbags; and a safety cage — a horseshoe-like structure around the passenger compartment.
The cloth convertible top, initially available in four colors, was fully automatic, operated by a single, dashboard-mounted control. The top stored automatically under an integral rigid tonneau cover, using a system pioneered in modern convertibles with the fourth generation Mercedes SL.
The C70 convertible exhibited two negative traits endemic to convertibles: poor rear visibility and pronounced scuttle shake, a characteristic where the structural design of the bulkhead between the engine and passenger compartments of a convertible suffers sufficiently poor rigidity to negatively impact ride and handling — and allow noticeable vibration, shudder or chassis-flexing into the passenger compartment.
Early special editions featured two-tone leather interior with wood trim and a SC-901 (1998) Dolby Pro Logic I stereo with 3-disc integrated changer unit (via a cartridge) 400 watts of power and 11 high end Dynaudio speakers.
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Volvo C70n model years
Common Volvo C70n problems
The Volvo C70N, like any other car, has its fair share of common problems that owners have reported. One of the most prevalent issues is related to the installation of aftermarket HID (High Intensity Discharge) retrofit kits in vehicles that originally came with halogen headlights. This conversion can cause a variety of electrical problems, including:
- Failure to start/ignite: One or both bulbs may fail to start or ignite, which can be caused by the HID ballast not providing enough power to the bulbs.
- Intermittent or constant flickering: The headlights may flicker during operation due to the PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) voltage regulation in the CEM (Central Electronic Module) not being compatible with the HID ballast.
- Dim output and/or excessive warmup time: The HID bulbs may take longer to reach full brightness, or they may not produce as much light as expected due to the PWM voltage regulation and the sensitive output current window threshold in the CEM.
- Bulb Out Warning (BOW) message: A "Bulb Failure Low Beam" message may appear on the dashboard LCD screen due to an under-current condition detected in the low-beam circuit, which is monitored by the CEM.
- Windshield Wiper (WMM) failure: The WMM may fail due to a poorly designed power supply filter that shares a ground connection with the sensitive Wiper Motor computer.
To avoid these issues, it is recommended to use a SKBOWE-style Error Eliminator when installing an aftermarket HID kit in a Volvo C70N. This device helps to regulate the PWM voltage and prevent damage to the Windshield Wiper Motor Module (WMM) and the Central Electronic Module (CEM).
Another common problem with the Volvo C70N is related to the clutch system. Some owners have reported issues with hard shifting, clutch pedal not going all the way down, and grinding noises when the clutch is fully depressed. These issues can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
- Worn clutch components: Over time, the clutch disc, pressure plate, and flywheel can wear out, leading to a loss of engagement and hard shifting.
- Incorrect clutch adjustment: If the clutch is not properly adjusted, it can lead to hard shifting, clutch pedal not going all the way down, and grinding noises.
- Faulty clutch master cylinder or slave cylinder: If either of these components fails, it can cause issues with the clutch system.
To address these issues, it is recommended to have the clutch system inspected by a qualified mechanic. They can check for worn clutch components, adjust the clutch as needed, and replace any faulty clutch master or slave cylinders.
It is important to note that the Volvo C70N is a complex vehicle, and any modifications or repairs should be performed by a qualified mechanic with experience working on these vehicles. This will help to ensure that the modifications or repairs are done correctly and do not cause any additional issues.
Is the Volvo C70 reliable?
The Volvo C70 Reliability Rating is 3.5 out of 5.0, which ranks it 9th out of 17 for luxury compact cars.
How long do Volvo c70s last?
The estimated lifespan of a Volvo C70 is 150,000mi, before reaching the life expectancy upper limit. Fuel type is a major factor when looking into a vehicles lifespan/life expectancy.
What kind of engine does a Volvo C70 have?
Model: C70 Coupé
Engine: 5-cylinder in-line DOHC 1,984 2,435 cc. Transmission: 5-speed manual, 4- or 5-speed automatic.
Is a Volvo C70 expensive to maintain?
The annual maintenance cost of a Volvo C70 is $818.
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