ME7 theory of operation docs?

[Brett Dikeman]

On Sat, Dec 5, 2009 at 8:53 PM, Grant Lenahan <glenahan at vfemail.net> wrote:
> i dont have a reference, but what is your problem?

Since I picked up the car in June, it's felt down on power. Stock
HP/torque is 300hp/ft-lb roughly, and this particular specimen has a
front-mount intercooler kit (the stock IC is front-mounted, but behind
the AC condenser), downpipe, exhaust, and chip.  All told, should be
350+hp.  I've never felt it.

Boost levels on the gauge have never reflected what IPD and others say
I should see (18+PSI); they're closer to stock levels (~16PSI.)  Idle
when very cold (ie not started in hours) was a bit rough, and the car
would backfire (once) on upshifts if drive immediately after starting
(some pop/burble is normal in the R's, but it's pretty soft.)
Throttle control always felt 'awkward' when the engine was cold; very
difficult to drive smoothly in 1st and 2nd.

A couple of weeks ago, I downshifted to pass someone, nailed it,
everything was per usual, and then a minute or two later, accelerating
away from a stoplight, the car stumbled and cut out under boost.
Anything over 5PSI (gentle throttle) causes stumbling and the gauge is
all over the place.  Nail the throttle, boost on the gauge skyrockets
to almost 30PSI and the car stumbles all over the place (current
theory is that the ETM is staying shut, thus allowing boost to build
to levels that would ordinarily cause massive turbo and engine damage.
  The gauge is, I think, pre-throttle.)  Around the same time, I had
ONE case of weird idle, where the idle dipped 2-3 times at a
stoplight. Another oddity is that with the driver's side window down
or the sunroof in the vent position, I get a sort of rich-exhaust-ish
smell after accelerating.

The WGFV (TCV) was replaced shortly after I bought the car, no change.
 I cleaned the MAF sensor around the same time, after I discovered the
PO had used a K&N filter; little was found on the sensing element (the
large silver area, I assume.)  My mechanic has smoke-tested the car
twice, verified smooth operation of the wastegate, and checked the
wastegate-related plumbing, and done a fair bit of head-scratching.
Flashed the ECU back to the stock program, no real change.  The boost
pressure/temperature sensor module, also replaced at everyone's
insistence that it's the problem.  Last night, boost completely cut
out leading me to suspect limp-home mode; sure enough, "ECM-601C
Turbocharger control system boost pressure fault.  Signal too high".
That's the first time I have ever had a code.

  IPD has been completely useless; unlike in the Audi/VW world where
you have tuners that resell a vendor's products, IPD sells direct, and
does not work with any local shops or dealers.

If anyone has suggestions, please reply off-list, as this is pretty off-topic.

  I'd also like to hear if anyone knows of companies in New England
that do performance work on Volvos or of any independent mechanics
that do a lot of work on the newer Volvos.  VIDA is virtually a
requirement, as this is a 2007 model.  VADIS is for pre-2006 Volvos,
ODB2 is of limited value.

Brett