Hi. 4 months ago i bought a 2010 1.6D Volvo S40. I have a problem and it's very annoying situation. While driving with infotainment system on sometimes the sound disappears and seconds after that the infotainment screen disappears. Then the radio picks up again and after about 5 seconds the multimedia system is starting up. I realized that this problem occurs when I turn the wheel at its limits. After the multimedia system reboots itself, bluetooth becomes disabled. When looking from the phone, it seems that the bluetooth connection is not disconnected, but the "Phone" button becomes passive in the multimedia system. This situation repeats many times depending on the number of bends on the route I follow and it has become extremely annoying. I would be grateful if you could help with the solution of the problem. Thank you so much.

The video of the problem is attached.

 

My bet is that the problem is in the "clockspring" (misnomer) that makes the connections to your steering wheel controls. The connections are made through a circular device that uses sprung contacts tracing a circular copper (IIRC) track. They can wear out or stop working for a few reasons - worn out contacts or tracks, contact "arm" tension too low, contamination on the contacts.

Here's a link to the FCP Euro replacement (cheaper than Volvo - still $$$$).

Here's a link to where I'd buy one if it was my car (keep in mind I didn't try to limit the year, so a lot of these won't fit - but it looks like about 10% the cost of new).

 

Thank you for your comment habby. But i can't understand the relationship between clockspring and infotainment system. There is no problem steering wheel radio control buttons, cruise control, car horn and i'm not getting any warning about the airbag. How can i be sure about the source of the problem?

 

You can't be sure (nor can I). Thing is, all the controls for your infotainment system on the wheel have to go through that "clockspring", and that's really the only thing that's affected by turning the wheel. I guess it could be a G-force problem (with centrifugal forces tugging on cables) but given how difficult that would be to replicate, and how common "clockspring" problems are, it would be a sensible place to start.

My thinking is that there might be a short between circuits that's causing your system to glitch out - or maybe just "losing" connection to one of the controls is doing it. You could (more or less) test the premise by cranking your wheel back and forth - starting with slight movements, and moving on to more radical movements of the wheel. I'd kinda recommend doing this stopped with your wheels in gravel (so you don't stress the steering rack), or while driving slowly in a parking lot (empty parking lot).

And I should add that if the problem is "just" a grungy contact, sawing the wheel back and forth a few times might just "clean it up" enough to get it working again.

 

Thanks for suggestion. I'll try it as soon as possible.

Is there anyone else who has similar problems or can make suggestions?