I purchased a 2013 S60 a few months ago. The vehicle has roughly 3500 km on it now. The problem I am having is that the lights dim and the fan occasionally slows whenever I turn the steering wheel at very very low speed. I really notice it when pulling into a parking spot or when the the vehicle is in park and I turn the steering wheel a couple of inches. Has anyone one else heard or had such an issue?

 

Does it have the electric steering assist? Looks like a voltage drop, perhaps a short.

 

How or where would I find that out?

 

I checked over google and it's pump assisted, not electrical.

Have a look at this article, second paragraph, they had an issue with the power steering pump module
2012 Volvo S60 T6 AWD Long-Term Test – Review – Car and Driver

 

For a 2013 vehicle that should be a Volvo dealer warranty issue.
Let them address the problem.

 

Thanks for the article, looks like I might be making a trip to New Jersey. Difflock you are right obviously there is still warranty but when I took it in to the dealer they said thats how the car is and nothing they can do. If I wasnt pressed for time I would have argued thats not good enough. I plan on returning for a better explanation and better service but wanted some info from you intelligent folks first

 

It's normal, there is no problem with it, that how all cars are.

You need to change this and this, it's worn out. Price is 700$



Does those two sentences seem familiar to you ?

 

Lights going dim and variable fan speed when one turns the steering wheel is not normal on any motor vehicle, especiallywhen only about one year old and a mere 3,500 is recorded on the clock.

 

Find a new dealer...

 

It is time for an update. I took the car back to the dealership and spoke with the service manager and took him to the vehicle and showed him the issues. He said he had taken it earlier for a drive and found there to be no problem.Once again after starting the vehicle and letting it run I turned the fan to high and turned the steering wheel,the fan slowed and the headlights and taillights dimmed. He noted that this was in fact true. He suggested we take a look at another vehicle they had on their lot, same model and year, and test it as well. We did and the fan slowed but not as noticeably but the lights did not dim. He said he would contact Volvo of North America to try and resolve the issue and update me with any information. I just received a copy of the TIE (technical information exchange) and it states that according to the service manager the charging voltage tested normal and the battery tested good. According to Volvo of North America this is normal to the high current draw from the electronic power steering. I am understandably upset to say the least and am disappointed in my Volvo and Volvo itself. I plan to contact Volvo over this matter and speak to them personally. Any adice or knowledge would be greatly appreciated.

 

I would keep an eye on it. Is there a variable steering assist ? This changes the steering turning force depending on how fast the car goes. Maybe this part has some electrical component malfunctioning and draining the voltage - something like a poorly insulated wire.

The other thing would be an issue with the steering pump getting 'stuck' at lower speeds and slowing down the alternator, however the voltage shouldn't instantly drop as it's still kept by the battery.

 

The pump is electronic- not belt driven. So it would not slow down the alternator.

 

Also, I just tested this on one and it does the same thing.

 

Then there is possibly an issue with the electric assist, or some relay related to it.

2nd paragraph
2012 Volvo S60 T6 AWD Long-Term Test – Review – Car and Driver

6th paragraph also shows an issue with the electric assist
Winding Road | Driven: 2013 Volvo S60 T5 AWD


@ ES6T it might or might not be a design issue, but certainly not all recent cars behave the same. if it's a design issue Volvo will probably came up with a redesigned part.

 

No doubt it will bug people and Volvo may find a fix, but as of now, it appears nornal. They need to figure out a way to isolate the draw needed for the pump from the rest of the vehicle's electrical system.

 

I have also checked a few P1 cars, which have the same system, and they do it too.

 

I want to thank everyone for the info but I believe ES6T said it best, that it bugs me. I find it annoying more than anything. You mentioned the P1, I am now wondering if anyone might be willing to trade as they obviously have so much in common