For the past few weeks (since the first snowfall) I've been getting the Anti Skid message on and off. The first time I called the dealer and they said to wait a few days and see if it goes away. I washed my car (undercarriage wash included) andthe messagewent away. The next time I received the message I washed my car again and it went away. Are their sensors that are getting dirty causing the error message to come on? My husband says I'm crazy. Is this possible?

 

You are not crazy; your hubby does not seem to know much about cars.

The wheel speed sensor reads signals from "pulser teeth", whose shape is much like a pinion gear. Each time a tooth passes by the sensor, it induces small voltage which is converted to a digital signal in the ECU-Electronic Control Unit. The ECU is commonly referred to as "computer".

If the sensor tip or the pulser teeth were getting dirty and if washing the undercarriage cleaned them, then the ABS could have come back to life. But European makes are notorious for ABS warning turning on.

I hope this helps. If the warning comes back, you may have to visit the dealer and have the fault code retrieved & have the system reset. Make sure to do your homework and talk like you know what you are talking about to avoid getting ripped off.


JPN

 

I too have the Anti Skid message. I let the car to Volvo this morning and they call me to tell me that it is because the passenger side is flowded. It is not the first time that I have problem with leakage (apparently from the sunroof drain) and I had water accumulating under the passenger seat. It is at least the 5th time. I googled the issue and found out that I am not the only one to experience issue with the Sunroof drain. Last time is cost me couple of hundred dollars but this time they want $1000 just to fix this dry all and change the sensor.
The problem is that I have a lot of other issues in the same time: rear wipper motor stopped working ($450 to fix), fan of the heating system makes noise ($1000 to fix it), stabilizer looze ($380 to fix), and again the CD player broken (3rd time in 5 years) but this time I will not repair it and I bought an FM transmitter instead.

So if I listen Volvo I should pay between $3K to $4K to have my car fixed. They proposed me to talk to the sales dept!

I bought a $45K Volvo because it is supposed to last "for life". I just finish to pay it. The car has 5 years and 80000 miles. I do not want to buy a new car and if I have to change it will certainly not be a Volvo again because everything is falling apart! It was my first brand new car. I am so disappointed. We owned an old Jeep Cherokee purchased used and which has now 160000 miles and all is working well.

Any suggestions to have Volvo fixed the issues to a reasonable price?

 

1. fan of the heating system makes noise
http://www.fcpgroton.com/product-exe...category_id/66

The new blower is $200 (OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer), the same parts used by the dealer; the only difference is that if you do not buy them at the dealer, they do not have Volvo logo). If you can work on your car yourself or know a family/relative/friend/coworker who can help you, the repair would not be too bad I believe. It may not even need replacing and you can try cleaning & lubricating the motor shaft.

2. Last time is cost me couple of hundred dollars but this time they want $1000 just to fix this dry all and change the sensor.

I could not find the sensor but would believe it is in a $100-$200 range. As to the flooding problem, you can insert a flexible bar (plastic, metal, etc...) and see if you can clear the drain holes. I believe there are 4 drain holes on the sunroof assy and the rears may be difficult to reach. You can dry the carpet in any way you wish (hair dryer, air-dry, special vacuum cleaner, etc...).

3. rear wiper motor stopped working ($450 to fix),
I would first check the fuse. If not, I would have it fixed at an independent shop that specialises in Swedish/Euro makes. I could not find the motor online.

4. stabilizer loose ($380 to fix)
If it is just loose, they only need to tighten the bolts. Unless the bolts are made from diamond or am missing something because I am not privy to the XC90s, the earlier is trying make extra$. Have a second opinion.

5. and again the CD player broken (3rd time in 5 years)
Unless you can find a deal on the factory stereo, I agree that an aftermarket stereo would be better. Optical drivers (CD, DVD, etc...) are fragile and are not meant last that long, but 3 times in 5 years is too frequent.


JPN