"Charging Failure: Service Urgent" and A/C
#1
"Charging Failure: Service Urgent" and A/C
2013 Volvo s60. 51,000 miles. The "Charging Failure: Service Urgent" warning light turned on while I was driving from my office to lunch and, correspondingly, the air conditioner stopped blowing cold air and instead now only blows warm air. Everything else seems to be functioning normally. I've turned the car off and re-started it without an issue, however after about 2 minutes of driving, the warning light turned back on. Some information that may be relevant is that my 5-year old manufacturer-installed battery had begun to decrease in starting power in May 2018, so I had my go-to local repair shop install a new battery in connection with my car's annual inspection/emissions test in June. In September 2018, I was randomly unable to start my car due to the battery being completely dead. I was able to jump it, but the battery would not hold a charge, even after driving it for a few hours, and subsequently placing it on an external battery charger to charge. Both AutoZone and my local repair shop came to the same determination that the battery was "faulty", so the repair shop replaced and installed a new battery (at no cost to me). Today's incident is the first incident since that new battery was installed. Any ideas what may be causing the light to turn on and the AC to stop blowing cold air? Thanks!
The following users liked this post:
Hildaj401 (07-03-2021)
#2
As an update, prior to driving to work this morning, I checked some A/C related fuses to see if any were blown, but all seemed to be fine. I then started up the car (which turned over as usual), and as I began to reverse, the "DSTC temporarily off" light came on, followed by the ABS light. I then (obviously) decided to return to my parking spot, and noticed the power steering and acceleration were both "jerky" as I pulled forward the few feet back to my spot. I also noticed that the "Transmission service required" light had just come on as well. I am going to have AAA tow my car to the nearest Volvo dealership and will let you all know what the outcome is.
#4
Apologies for the late follow-up, but I wanted to share the outcome. Firebirdparts was on the right track. The cam shaft seals blew and leaked oil, causing the tensioner to "seize up" and the timing belt to "pop off". The alternator stopped charging and the battery slowly drained thus causing the warning lights and other failures I experienced. I ultimately needed to have my shop replace the seals, tensioner and both belts, as well as clean the engine and replace the oil.
It's running smoothly now and driving even better than before the incident.
Thanks for the input!
It's running smoothly now and driving even better than before the incident.
Thanks for the input!
The following 2 users liked this post by arsdelt1:
LarsBrazil (06-14-2021),
marc3258 (03-03-2022)
#5
Apologies for the late follow-up, but I wanted to share the outcome. Firebirdparts was on the right track. The cam shaft seals blew and leaked oil, causing the tensioner to "seize up" and the timing belt to "pop off". The alternator stopped charging and the battery slowly drained thus causing the warning lights and other failures I experienced. I ultimately needed to have my shop replace the seals, tensioner and both belts, as well as clean the engine and replace the oil.
It's running smoothly now and driving even better than before the incident.
Thanks for the input!
It's running smoothly now and driving even better than before the incident.
Thanks for the input!
#7
#9
It would be much easier to know what was going on under the hood if cars still had ammeters (and an oil pressure gauge would be nice, too.) I would cheerfully forfeit all of this touch screen crap, steering wheel mounted audio controls, apple, snapple, peach or pear connections etc. for decent instrumentation.
#10
It's the alternator issue. You gotta replace it. I have the same symptoms last night, almost died on the highway: while I was driving, it suddenly shows this message "Charging failure service urgent" with the battery light on. After 30 minutes, my car dashboard shows "DSTC" temporary off, ABS stop running, transmission service stop running, almost every electrical service shut down, I lost my power to moving as well. I assume by that time my battery was in low voltage due to failure charging. By that time, my steering was locked. I am lucky that a cop found me on his patrol and guide the traffic to avoid hitting me. I was parked in the middle of the highway with the emergency light off.
Today my Volvo dealer diagnose this issue figured out the alternator is dead. They replaced it with the new one, right now I am back on the road, feel like having a new engine. Therefore, if you replaced the new battery but your dashboard still shows "battery in low" when you start your car, better to replace the alternator than it's dead on your highway. Btw, buy the OEM(Original Manufacturer) if you can. Even it's double price than the off market one, but it won't shut down again.
Today my Volvo dealer diagnose this issue figured out the alternator is dead. They replaced it with the new one, right now I am back on the road, feel like having a new engine. Therefore, if you replaced the new battery but your dashboard still shows "battery in low" when you start your car, better to replace the alternator than it's dead on your highway. Btw, buy the OEM(Original Manufacturer) if you can. Even it's double price than the off market one, but it won't shut down again.
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jb1882
2001-2013 model year XC70
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12-24-2012 11:15 PM