Hello - I'm new to the forum (and format), but am not new to going the extra mile to find out about my Volvo service issues. Here is the latest in the saga of my 04 XC90 T6:

- I bought it in 08, 29k
- a year later, fuel filter recall, replaced
- a year later, the LED on the radio went out - $1100 quote for module
- eventually, the illumination on the radio starting blinking (still no LED)
- eventually, the cd player quit working (and I've had six cds stuck in there for the past four years at least)
- other quirks of the "disco dash stereo" - it sometimes won't power off after you've turned the key off, sometimes it won't power on if you've powered it off (so, I tell everyone NEVER to turn it off!), and the search/volume keys on the steering wheel sometimes work, sometimes don't, AND, for giggles, sometimes work uncontrollably (for example, pressing the up volume once and the volume suddenly, uncontrollably, going to FULL without you pressing anything and blowing your face off!...only fixed by turning the dial down on the stereo face
- BEYOND ALL THAT - I've just learned to live with it
- I HAVE been told that the module that operates the stock radio situation is also the module responsible for the SRS and the dash
- I recently had to replace the battery, and it was done by my local tire store. Before I had it replaced, I must have run the car's battery down 5 or 6 times, by accident, not knowing my battery was done for, so, I had several times where I had to jump the car to start it before I finally replaced the battery.
- one month has gone by, I was gone for that month, I came back. I got in the car the other day and it suddenly had the SRS AIRBAG SERVICE URGENT warning light on
- I had the car running, in park, for about an hour because I got caught up visiting with some relatives as I was leaving
- I got back in the car and the DASH - lights, gauges, everything - gone.
- I drove home (5 miles) and parked it.
- the next day, I got in, DASH WORKS, but SRS AIRBAG warning is still on

After reading extensively on the stereo issue (years ago), I am pretty familiar with the issue: it's a module, and one I didn't think I needed to spend $1100 on.

After reading about this SRS light in similar posts: it sounds like it actually could be related to my battery being changed improperly

1 - Do I go to a dealer and have them put it on the diagnostic computer and tell me, yes, it's your stereo module that's connected to your SRS and your dash that needs to be replaced (like usual)? Or will they tell me it's just a battery disconnection/connection problem?

2 - or do I fix it myself by disconnecting and connecting my battery properly?

3 - I guess I'm trying to figure out if it's the end of the road about the module and I need to replace it for the small ransom or if it's just a connection issue that's causing this warning light that I've NEVER seen, not after having the crazy disco dash stereo for over four years now, when I've recently had my battery replaced by a non-Volvo dealer....

Your kind thoughts appreciated!!!

Thank you in advance.

 

Seems like not so unusual problem. I walked away from an 05 XC with SRS warning light on and a non-functional stereo. Somehow they two are linked. I am guessing electronic problem and I am intrigued to find out, too.

 

I have an 05 XC90 (2.5T) that has stereo issues, too. Had MFD (multi-function display) issues as well, changed the MFD switch (blinker switch) and it's still going on. Figured it may have something to do with the steering column wiring? Following your thread to see what you find out, if any of the other members have any knowledge on the matter. Hope you get it worked out soon. Can be maddening.

 

Just a thought: do you have the VIDA DiCE that can clear the error messages, such as the SRS warning light that could have some relations with some other electronic issues?

And 3 experiments that I have done before:
1) disconnect battery for more than an hour, hoping to reset the electronics, no difference;
2) close and open (using switch, not physically open and close) the door 3 times (according to some posts on the internet, this can reset the upper control module), no difference;
3) use an OBD-II scanner to read and clear error message, no error messaged read from the OBD-II scanner, thus no difference.

 

All, I mean ALL the XC90 older than 2007 I have looked at in the past two months have the SRS warning light on and some water intrusion history. I see why the deep depreciation of the XC90...

 

Hi all -

Thanks for continued messages on this thread - the car has mostly been in the garage due to weather, and the fact that my nearest dealer is over two hours away over impassable mountain passes.

I have been driving it around town - and the dash goes out intermittently, but not often. The disco stereo is still the same as it has been for four years (sometimes backlights blink, the LCD does not work at all, there are CDs stuck in the carrier, etc.) and since the dash starting going out, the backlit buttons below the stereo console have started to blink/malfuntion - like the heated seat button backlight started to blink or go off (this is a new thing - to have anything below the stereo unit go "disco").

I had to use the "W" drive option in the snow yesterday and worried about the dash going out or some other nasty issue, but, the traction held up and so did the dash, so that was good.

I'll be interested to find out what they say at the dealership, though not interested too much in the massive amount of money this is going to cost me.

I may run thru some of the DIY "tests" noted here, especially concerning the battery, bec I think the battery being replaced recently (and perhaps not "properly") might have been the culprit - or leading to these issues.

Thanks all,
kb

 

Over the weekend I dug a little bit into the VIDA for information. From what I gathered, the main issue of XC90, maybe other Volvo models of the same era as well, is the ICM (infotainment control module) that works like the brain of the vehicle, is subject to water damage caused by the design fault of the L shape rubber turn of the sunroof drain pipe. That part either gets clogged or deteriorates over time, making water intrusion a problem. When the inside is flooded, the electronics inside could get shorted and caused errors. That's like driving a brain insane. Unless the car is always parked in garage, it is almost inevitable for the car to get flooded because the rubber part will cause problem, sooner or later. Once the ICM is fried, the XC90 is like a psychotic and can act very strangely. I think the XC90 was not designed to last longer than the warranty period because there is no economic way to separate the different modules from the ICM and by not going to the dealers for maintenance, problems are difficult to diagnose and DIYers could easily trigger more problems with the ICM if not careful.

 

Conclusion: not a piece of Corolla. And don't get me wrong, I am not complaining or venting, I am just sharing my experience and observations. I mean to keep and fix my XC90 as long as I am able to.

 

The ICM is the radio display. You are referring to the CEM.

 

ICM is more than radio display. It is the gateway between the MOST and CAN networks for communication to and from control modules connected on the CAN network. The ICM monitors the comm on the MOST network, which involves distribution of sound and management of diagnostic trouble codes on the MOST network. A faulty ICM will cause faulty DTC reporting.

 

Yes. But you said "the ICM (infotainment control module) that works like the brain of the vehicle, is subject to water damage caused by the design fault of the L shape rubber turn of the sunroof drain pipe."

The CEM is the "brain of the vehicle", not the ICM. Also, the location of the CEM is much more prone to water intrusion issues. I have seen plenty of sunroof drain problems and they don't cause issues with the ICM, as the ICM is the radio display screen and is not located anywhere near the drains.

I have also replaced many ICMs, never for water intrusion.

 

Yes, you are right. I am taking in a lot of information all at once. Confusion is almost inevitable. What I really meant to say, in a more complete form, is that water damaged some electronic modules and messing up the whole network and ICM acting like the central nervous system, is reporting all these error messages.

I am new and I am still learning my way...how I wish there is a "reboot" button on the car that you can make the central nervous system reprogram itself...

 

SRS Airbag eroor message, radio readout not working, and sunroof does not stay shut.

SRS Airbag error happened when I picked up the car after the tranny was replace. Car had sat for 4 mos before replacing tranny. Battery was no good and I replaced it. I was told here that that error code comes on when the battery does not sustain a specific level of amperage and only a dealer can clear a security code. Have not had that done yet.

radio readout started failing soon thereafter, and light below it are dim.

Sunroof shuts but moves around and does not stay firmly in place. Have not experienced any leaks but I am wondering if I have this rubber drain hose issue.

Interested in anyones thoughts :-)

 

It took me months, on and off, to fix all the problems. I disabled the alarm module at the dealer, and now the sunroof is working again. Then I bypass the amplifier, removed the central control and installed an aftermarket receiver. The result is great. Now I have MP3, USB, AUX, and iPod/iPhone connection, which was not available on the original stereo.