I have a question about my ABS/Tracs light coming on and going off intermittantly. 96' 850R wagon w/175,000 mi. Been going on for about 4 months now and when lit, ABS doesn't work. Basically the light will come on sometime while driving and stay on. After car is off and sitting for awhile or overnight, it will be on when started, but always goes off within a quater mile of driving. Replaced the ABS module in 2002 at a Volvo dealer when light stayed on constantly. The problem now is that 3 times in the last 5 weeks, light off, the ABS kick in on dry pavement, like at 50% for a couple of seconds when applying the breaks. I was able to stop, but there is a bit of panic for a few seconds. There was no gravel or reason for it to kick on any of the 3 times & speed was between 10-30 mph every time. So I guess I need to know if it is the module again (as I know Volvo has had a problem with them for several years - Had one fixed for the wifes 2000 XC70 through Victor) or possibly a wheel sensor. When the module went the first time, the intermittant lights were the same, but never had ABS kick in when dry outside. Nearest Volvo dealer is 240 mi. away, and locally they don't have full Volvo code pulling ability. Sometimes I can guess just as well. Thanks for any info.

 

My vote is bad ABS module.

 

+1 Tech, Where is JPN?

 

A little more info...Yesterday the ABS has kicked on 3 different times while driving around town. Seems to be getting worse as our temps are finally starting to rise a bit. Always at slow speed and the light is off, but comes on a couple of seconds after the ABS quits. Thanks for the votes so far.

 

My 2 cents on the bad ABS module. I have repaired these modules (successfully on mina and 3 other friends cars around me) and thay work good after that. The modules are known to go bad due to viberatins and dry soldering over time. I have seen 2 of them in really bad shape but they worked fine after the repair. If are around Toronto, I can fix it for you.

 

He is still really busy working.

 

Possibly could be the broken solder joint syndrome in the ABS module...

If you're into DIY you could ck it yourself. Might be worth it... ABS modules are lots of $$$$$$$

Have you seen this thread?
http://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/for...=12651&start=0

 

How much money would one be looking at for the repair/replacement of this? My ABS lamp has been doing the same thing for the past two weeks. (I wouldn't be looking into DIY work for this and would probably take it to an independent mechanic).

 

I would think most independents (and even dealers) would not repair an ABS module; they would just replace it.

 

Doing this job yorself is not at all a hard task. The only special tool needed would be the E-5 bit required to remove the module from the car. Other then that its only ripping it open and soldering. Again, I volunteer to do it for anyone as long as they take care of shipping it both ways or bringing it to me in person. I also have one extra one with me that is without tracs but it works on the car with tracs except the feature will not function. I pulled it from wreckers to replace mine but didnt realised that its without tracks and used it for the period when mine was out for repair. I had no lights ON during that period. During initialisation, ABS light comes ON normal and shuts off after the car is started but you never see the tracks light comming ON.

 

Hey thanks folks, I sure do appreciate the help. I suspected the ABS module, but did not want to fix and find out symptoms were a sensor or something. Once I get a chance, I'm going to pull the module and send it to Victor Rocha for repair. Had him do one from a 2000 V70 XC that we used to have & all went great. I'm too chicken to actually solder myself. Victor charges $140 - Includes the repair and shipping (to CA) both ways. Once again, thanks for the info.