Hi! I have been trying to help a buddy of mine sort out his problematic 2006 S60 over the past month or so without success... Problems started after the vehicle was impacted to the passenger side door area resulting in a couple of weeks at the body shop.

Upon receiving the vehicle from the body shop, the car began throwing codes intermittently. "Brake Failure, Stop Safely" & something about the alarm among others at first. The body shop referred the car to a local import specialist that, for whatever reason, was unable to diagnose the problem. I believe we got the alarm portion sorted out by replacing the NiMh backup battery. We cleaned the MAF sensor as that was one of the fault codes that kept popping up. Voltage seems a little low (13.6V) at idle with a slight flicker noticeable in the cabin lights. The vehicle starts every time its cranked, but it doesn't really start with authority in my opinion.

At this point, Im thinking a connector is possibly damaged or not properly seated, but before I go digging any further in the wrong direction, i figured i should stop and ask for opinions. Below are the fault codes currently being displayed:

Any guidance would be much appreciated! Cheers!
-sj

 

this all generic codes, if vehicle was at body shop it may be low battery voltage cause , now you need to found Volvo shop with VIDA and try to do CAN update it helps. From your code list looks like the ABS module problem and CAN communication. How many ml on your car?

 

Yea, from what I've read, VIDA is pretty much essential for these intermittent electrical issues. The closest dealer is 100+ miles away I'll see if he wants to order one on eBay.

The car has around 85K miles.

Is the ABS module rebuildable? Cheers!
-sj

 

well first thing you need to do is put the battery on a slow overnight 2 amp charge. Then clear the codes before you start it again. If you are still getting 13.6 with headlamps off, a/c off, radio off, climate control off -- then its likely the alternator causing some off the issues.

Keep in mind if the computer does not see a steady voltage, you will get codes for intermittent failures.

Those codes point to ABS module failure

 

Thanks Lifisgoodhere!

What should the voltage be when the car is running? I drove it around yesterday and saw voltage drop as low as 12.8V and as high as 13.9V.

I already cleared the codes... Is there a specific procedure for replacing the battery? I have another battery here I can try while the stock battery is on simmer.
-sj

 

Right. Checked the battery and it was at 12.33V at rest. (haven't ran it for a day or so) Disconnected the battery and it read 12.61V. Its on the charger now and will remain overnight. I'll check it with the hydrometer after a charge and rest period.

The other battery fits, barely. Its at 12.91V. I haven't connected it yet. Might give it a go after some food.
-sj

 

should charge 14v -- 14.5v

sounding like the alternators going out.

 

I think you might be right... Heres the results of my battery tests:

5 Minutes Idle. No load aside from DRLs.

Loaner Battery:
Min - 13.68V
Avg - 13.96V
Max - 14.02V

Stock '06 Volvo Battery:
Min - 13.70V
Avg - 13.92V
Max - 14.03V

Both batteries are both pretty old, but start the car ok. Voltage seems low imo. I'll probably go drive it around with the meter logging in a bit.

Is the regulator integrated with the alternator or separate? Cheers!
-sj

 

Ok, I drove around and heres what i logged:

AC On:
12.38V Min
13.63V Avg
13.91V Max

AC Off:
13.04V Min
13.86V Avg
14.02 Max

The guy at the local alternator shop doesn't seem to think there is a problem... IDK, seems low to me.

I noticed this under the hood last night... Not sure what it does, but Im pretty sure its not supposed to spit oil out the top of the engine. Any ideas on what it is / what it does? Cheers!
-sj