Volvo S40, 2005
We were out driving this week. My husband was driving and I had my feet up on the dash (don't know if that is what triggered all the problems!). All of a sudden, the yellow exclamation mark appeared on the display and various warnings came up - brake failure, please pull over safely; seatbelt failure; airbag.... ; and a beeping alarm. Every so often, the clock and thermometer would go to -- -- --, and the speedo would go to 0, as would the rpm - however, there was no noticable change in the driving. The warnings came and went all the way home, and for the last 30 minutes of the journey did not appear at all. The reminder for the annual service has been up for about 2 or 3 months.
I have contacted the 2 nearest volvo garages who, as I expected, want the car in ASAP.. however with a young toddler, and a 1.5 hour round trip to the nearest garage and a whole day waiting for the car, I am keen to use their pick-up service. One garage has its driver away on holiday and will be back on the 18th June, the other said it could be 4 or 5 weeks before they can pick it up.
Is it likely that it is just an electrical fault and will have no impact on our ability to drive the car safely? We will have to do about 2 drives in the meantime (30 miles round trip each... we live in the countryside)...
Should we wait until the 18th, or should I arrange childcare so that my husband can sit for 8 hours in the garage whilst it gets fixed.

 

Hi Jodesia,

I have a S80 1999 Volvo with various questionable electrical problems. This has been going on for months. Our local mechanic who is certified for many foreign made cars did some research and said they think it is the ignition switch that control many of the electrical functions. They sent the ignition switch to two major Volvo dealers (here in the Pacific Northwest) for replacement. They were unable to get a replacement. I had hopes of finding a resource on this Forum. I am a newbie and struggle through the forms.

Anyway. my electrical problems come and go, I jiggle the key in the ignition and the problem goes away. My fear is someday I may be on a freeway and I loose my turnsignals or lights and get in a wreck. My car is perfect other than this problem. I love my car. I do not have infants or toddlers in the car. Pleas let me know if you find a source to replace the ignition (they are specific to each car)

 

Jodesia, I would get the car in , If I had young children I would not risk waiting.
bmb

 

My husband took the car to the local garage today and they ran the diagnostics on it... not a single fault was recorded. The warning lights on the dash were not on today and not a single warning came up as he drove it to the garage. The mechanic said that it is likely just to be a short circuit or something... or a knock as we drove down a country road.
I think I will book it in for its service and get the volvo garage to pick it up on the 18th... they can check everything out.
Thanks for the input

 

Thank you for the reply. I am happy to hear your car tested normal and those kiddos can be expected to be safe. I will take my car into another shop for testing.. Except for the off and on electrical hiccups I feel so safe in my Volvo.

 

Sounds like it may be the a-pillar harnesses if they have not been replaced before.

 

As there is nothing but wires behind the A-pillar cover and no harness ever need to be replaced there either you just go and have the mechanic check out this relay box at the passenger feet.Chances are that you kicked a relay or two loose.

 

Thank you for your reply for the S40. Would you give the same suggestion for a 1999 S80? (Central electronic module check)

I have had on and off electrical problems that will stop when I jiggle my ignition Key.

Thank you from bmb