Hi peeps, I've been having issues with my XC90 recently.

A couple of months ago my car began flashing an "anti-skid" replacement time light. It is simple to turn off with the reset button on my turn signal stalk, and hasn't caused any issues with driving. Now, 3 months later, I am beginning to have electrical issues with components on my steering wheel.

Sometimes (NOT ALWAYS, BUT VERY OFTEN) when starting my vehicle, I will completely lose functionality of the turn signal and windshield wiper stalks. When I start the car, it typically happens immediately and I will not be able to use the turn signal or any electrical-based components on either of the wheel stalks. Nothing on the left turn signal stalk works (including the RESET button for messages). On the right stalk, I cannot use the windshield washer fluid when I tap up; pushing down on the right stalk to engage windshield wipers only allows them to function at FULL BLAST with no adjustability. Beyond these two issues, every other component of the car works including raising/lowering windows, adjusting mirrors, hazard lights, radio, sunroof, etc..

The oddest thing is that sometimes I can turn on my car and drive with no issues at all. This started about a week ago, with no apparent causes or anything.

So far I have taken apart the steering wheel and cleaned the connectors on the turn signal stalk, but this didn't fix the problem. All fuses in the fuse box are fine.

Any suggestions? I don't think I'm going to pass inspection next month without turn signals.


edit: Yes, I know the speaker is gigantic and my bike is rusty. The speaker has not caused any of the issues AFAIK, and works fine (I connected it to the rear tweeters and battery).
double edit: Yes, I know it's only the T5 AWD model. I only wish I had the V8.

 

A similar thread was posted about this issue: https://volvoforums.com/forum/genera...-wheel-103320/

Although I didn't leave the windows down in my XC90, I have sat in the driver's seat while wet once (had to run to car through the rain and was drenched) and water definitely got in the crack of the seat. Should I be checking under the seat? I have no clue how to take the seat apart, doing tons of research on that now.

 

A good first step would be scanning the car with Vida - you may have a problem with your CEM. Water intrusion happens on some xc90's getting the CEM wet and creates all sort of bizarre problems. The water intrusion IS NOT from leaving windows down, the water leaks into the CEM from under the cowl.

Companies such as xemodex can solve CEM problems - you can read what are common symptoms and the solutions they offer here-

https://xemodex.com/us/product/centr...1282455-10-22/

 

Will look into this now, thanks for the suggestion.

 

Ordering a new turn signal stalk to see if it might be a cheap fix. Looked into the CEM today and it seemed very dry, both under the hood and behind the wheel. Can't really fix that on my own or afford to have it fixed, so will sell car as-is if the turn signal stalk isn't a fix. Clearly there's a faulty electrical connection to the wheel (forgot to mention the cruise & radio buttons on wheel don't work anymore).