2004 xc90 Electrical Power Loss Nightmare
 

While driving any distance over 60 minutes the car warning comes on saying sudden loss of brakes, stop safely. Airbag check light comes on. Within a few seconds all the electronics shuts down; all dash, stereo, lights, wipers, windows and lack of power to engine but car stays running. This was almost a deadly crash while driving in pouring rain and there were cars everywhere. No way to signal or flashers, I honestly thought me and my family were gonna get in an accident. I have read other stories online so my question is, What is the cause of this? How do I fix it before some gets hurt or even worse killed!I've contacted VOLVO and got no help. Been reading all sorts of things that"could" be causing this. I filed a complaint on the link below,there should be a recall on this. I own a 2004 xc90.



https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/VehicleComplaint/?

How did you contact Volvo? did you go to a dealer for any diagnostic tests? Did the car restart when you shut down and did the symptoms go away or stay? Given you were driving in pouring rain suggests to me there is a connection issue somewhere or a water related short circuit that caused a sudden drop in voltage forcing the car into limp mode (the computer leaves only the essentials on to allow you to safely get to the side of the road - not to keep driving home which could risk further damage to the vehicle).

The techs should do an inspection of the electrical system (alternator, drive belt, voltage regulator, battery), wiring (damaged connectors or exposed wiring etc), check for any fault codes stored in the computers etc. I Don't think the NHTSA is going to help you find a root cause... Note that anybody who's had an alternator or voltage regulator fail in ANY car will see the same symptoms.

Having a problem and just contacting Volvo to complain isn't going to do anything. The problem needs to be diagnosed in order to figure out where the fault lies. A problem like this is probably going to need a dealer. Could be a failing CEM, possibly due to water intrusion.