1998 volvo s70 T5

I have a few questions about the instrument cluster. My odometer is out. (only the odometer, nothing else & it's blank not ----) I figured it was the cluster so got a replacement at the junk yard and had the following problems with it.

1. It was a regular s70 not the T5 version so the display options were a little different. (not a huge problem)

2. It read over 200K and my car has only 130K

To try and understand the problem better I removed my odometer display module that plugs into my cluster board (where it read blank) and plugged it into the junk yard's cluster board (hoping it would read my milage) but it showed the junk yard's 200K. (so that works and reads what's on the board right?) That made me think it must be the board that was bad and not the display module. So to test that I plugged the junk yard's display module into my board (thinking it would be blank) and it read 200K?

So I'm still confused as to where the mileage is stored. Is it on the board or the display module that plugs into it? Also if it is stored in the cluster (board or display module) does that mean that.

1. In order to fix my problem I have to find a s70 t5 cluster unit with 140K on it to replace mine? (going to be hard to find!)

2. If the milage is stored on the cluster board what's to stop somebody with a very high milage car replacing his cluster with one with less milage?

More confused than ever and would love any advice.

Thanks,
Kathy G

 

Is your ABS light on?

 

No, The ABS module was recently replaced. Also my research tells me that when the ABS module is going the odometer will show --------and that speedometer will also act up or even the trip will go out. ONLY my odometer is out/blank.

Could it be some kind of short or fuse? The car was brought into the shop for a new battery. When we picked it up the odometer was out. I was told it was a coincidence and nothing serious, not the cluster, probably a fuse!!!

Thanks again,
Kathy G

 

Man, old cars. I believe the milage is kept in the ECU. That being said, it is possible that the old cluster was going out and was not showing the proper milage.

I have never torn those things apart so I'm really not sure what would cause the milage disply to black out. Have you driven anywhere with the new old cluster installed? If so, is it climbing properly? Is the only problem the milage reading?

 

I never installed the cluster (well removed and returned it) from the junk yard. I took it back out after I saw how many miles was on it. I was under the impression that you can NEVER fix your milage to go backwards. So I figured I would have to wait until I find one that has lower miles and make it go up to match my mileage. (I thought any on board computer storing my milage would automatically update it, but only upward) Also it was not the T5 version and I would like to keep that option if I can. So I have been on the hunt for one that is closer to my mileage.

I have only read a little about the ECU but have to say I do not know where or how that works or even if my year (98) has that or if it has the milage stored on it and can reset my cluster?

I have been told so many different things by dealers & independent volvo mechanics. I was told the milage is stored in the cluster, I was told no it's not in the cluster, that I need to "do a hard reboot" then told you can't reboot a 98 it has no computer. Then looking for the cluster on ebay none of the listers can tell who's mileage will show when it's installed. Some ebay listers are also telling me the s70 cluster fits my T5. Well I know it will "fit" but the bottom display it is not the same as the T5 (again something I can live without but would rather keep consistent with the car if I can.)

I really love the car but have not been driving it to avoid putting on milage. I've been keeping careful track of all miles so I can correct it. I think I am going to just get a cluster close to my milage and wait until the sync up then install it?

 

The mileage is stored in both. But none with update by putting a new cluster in. It will show the miles from the last car only.

 

So, to confirm, the only way to fix my odometer is to find a cluster as close as possible to my actual milage and use that one. (Wow, that sure makes it easy for people with high milage cars to change it out to a low milage car. Volvo should think about changing that and have the milage stored on the car itself, if they haven't already)

O.K. - Last question I have regarding the instrument cluster is which other models have the T5's average miles per gallon, average miles per hour tracking option. Do I have to find a T5. I thought I saw an old wagon in the junk yard that had that button on the dash so I wonder if a V70 has that same option or maybe I just have to look at the dash.

Thanks for all the help,
Kathy G

 

oops one more question!

Before I go and buy a cluster is there a fuse that directly affects the odometer. I only ask because when they changed the battery and I first noticed the odometer was out I was specifically told that it probably wasn't the cluster or anything serious because it was JUST the odometer that was out and nothing else so it was most likely a fuse and not to worry. Only problem is when I look at the two fuse box/panels in the engine compartment there is no mention of the odometer in particular. Could there be a fuse that affects the odometer but is labeled something different that I am missing or maybe there is a fuse in a different location that I am overlooking. I just don't want to drop the money on the cluster before I am sure that is what I need.

Thanks again for all the help,
Kathy G

 

Well, I found a cluster with the same part number and milage very close to mine and the car it came from had the driver information **** like my car has (photo attached) Replaced it and have an odometer reading but now the information display with outside temp, average mile per gallon, hour etc. is not there! I have tried mixing and matching the display units that actually plug into the circuit boards. Putting mine (the one I know works) on the new board but get nothing. So I reinstalled my original. No odometer w/info display. Anybody know if there is some kind of reset needed. When my cluster is put in the display lights right up but maybe the new one needs a reset or something, but the odometer lit right up so one would think so would the display?
Thanks,
Kathy G

 

It is pretty messed up that the ecu does not show the car milage in these clusters. Yes people do change the cluster, installing one with lower milage just to sell the car with low miles. When we purchased our S70 GLT, the clock showed about 83,000 but the car actually had about 140,000. :O The guy that had the car has a Volvo salvage yard and serviced Volvo's so I believe he knew what he was doing. When I pulled the AutoCheck it showed the car had 123,000 two years prior.

The trip computer is available in several trim models of the S70 & V70's. Actually I think all of them have it, it's just a software install that the dealer has to do to activate it. I'm sure the dealer can solve your problems for about $350.

 

Well my husband has been out of work for some time and $350 is not and option. Also seems strange I would need to install software at all as the cluster I installed had that option on it already as did my car. If both cars had the option to begin with where is it now? Also both cars are 1998 can you even download software on or to that or is that only in newer models. And the other mystery is that the cluster part numbers are a match? I just don't know if I should return the new cluster or not or if I will ever have that option again now, without paying.
Thanks,
Kathy G

 

You cannot download software on the 98's. Maybe for some reason it just needs to be turned on. Not sure why it would need to though.

 

Yes, I'v found on this site that the 98 does not take downloads like the newer models and that people adding this option to their cars (that do not previously have it) need to have it activated with the hand held scan. There is an independent Volvo mechanic in my area that I plan to ask about it (the activation) because after installing the cluster I need my SRS reset too. I will post how that turns out incase anybody is having the same problem I am.
Thanks,
Kathy