Hi Folks -

1st time poster with an ABS issue. I did search for ABS in the S60 forum, and a few similar models, but had zero results.

I had been driving for 1 hour, with the cruise control on 60 mph, in dry conditions. An event ocured that left the ABS warning light on, a message along the lines of "Brake system failure, urgent service required". There was momentary loss, or decrease in power, the lights briefly dimmed, and there was a sound similar to the grounding of the positive lead from a 12 volt battery to a car frame. It was more than a snap or a click, but less than a bang.

I pulled over, read the manual, and surveyed the car. The manual said to shut off and restart the engine, and that if the alert lights stayed off, that no service is required. Shut off and restart seemed to do the trick, but after another 2 hours of driving, I noticed an odd odor when I removed my bags from the trunk. On further inspection, the area around the battery was very warm. I should have traced the heat source down on the spot, but it was 2:00 A.M. Next day, I found that the block of 40 amp fuses near the battery looks like it bot really hot. One of the wires leading away from a fuse had some whiteish build up on the terminal, but the fuses seem okay. Also, there was a lot of moisture in the trunk - drops condensed to the trunk lid, and about a cup in the spare wheel well and around the battery. I don't think it's battery acid. I got some on my hands, and it didn't bother me, and the battery was dry.

If these fuses fail, don't they burn through?

Also - maybe unrelated, but the car starter motor has turned slowly lately, and the BMW battery in the car has an indicator window that says it is insufficiently charged.

Any ideas on a course of action, or advice?

Thanks -

 

I think I have the water tracked down to a leak where the lead to the license plate lighting passes through the sheet metal at the trunk lid. The foam around the wire was very wet. Every thing looks good in terms of the sealing bits. Water shouldn't be getting in there. I said before that this happened in dry conditions, and it mostly was dry. I had been inside for a couple of hours before the drive, and I think it rained then. I don't remember clearly.

This point of water entry is doirectly above the suspect fuse block.

 

first and foremost replace the battery!

 

Because it's a BMW battery? Or is this serious, reasoned advice...

 

its probably the wrong battery and it is not charged enough.

Lack of voltage causes all sorts of crazy **** to happen. I think you have a much larger issue now, but running the wrong battery... get that fixed then trace the other issues.

 

In the general forums there is a good "sticky" on the topic of the need for a proper battery (three or four from the top) that explains this is detail. Apparently, Volvos are extremely sensitive to proper voltage. A semi-cooked battery is just asking for trouble.