V70 XC(2001) How Can a Programming Update Break Everything??

Hi, everyone. I am new to this forum, but not new to Volvo's. We've owned 7 of them. Currently have a 1996 850 Turbo Wagon, a 2001 V70 XC, and a 2004 S80.

What brings me here this evening is the 2001 V70 XC. I always deal with a small Volvo (only) garage for all work - but they sent me to a local dealer to get ECM/TCM programming updates, because they don't have that equipment in-house. The car had occasional transmission hiccups, and they'd seen bulletins about updates that could address that.

Anyway - when the dealer hooked up the car to their equipment to check the code versions, etc, and ran a diagnostic, it came back with all sorts of "DTC is found active/not active" status errors on about (14) different things. The service guy pointed them out to me. What he was showing me was that he was seeing no transmission codes, but many other unrelated ones. These included the door control module (driver), many other door-related signal alerts, sunroof error, etc.

He asked me if I'd had problems with any of these things and I answered (truthfully) no. Up to the point I parked at the dealer, all door switches, etc, were working fine. I told him that, despite what the codes might be showing, none of the problems were manifesting, so I had no interest in replacing anything based on codes.

Problem is, after they updated ECM/TCM software and buttoned it back up, NOW many of these codes are manifesting. The driver's door controls are all completely inoperative. The bush-button lights up top don't work. The sunroof controls are dead.

The dealer pulled an attitude of 'hey, all we did was hook it up and run a report". But this defies logic! How could it all work when I drive up, despite some code report shows, then it magically stpos working while sitting on the lift?

So, I am here to ask for professional help. Has anyone ever seen something like this happen? Could a dealer trying to load new software updates somehow do something wrong that breaks a whole bunch of other things?

Thanks!

Hello, the answer is not exactly clear cut here. The dealer probably didn't do anything to mess up the car, the codes were present before they did the software download. The fact that they didn't acutally effect anything is either amazing timing or pure coincidence. Now I'll tell you this, I don't think all those different codes you see are really there, which is the good news. the bad new is this sounds like the CEM (central electronic module) is starting to go bad on you, which when it does, it can cause large amounts of phantom codes that aren't really there, which means change the CEM and they should go away. The dealer/shop will probably need to charge a decent amount to diag this problem, as it will not be easy. I'm willing to bet the CEM is the cause of all those codes, but it's just a guess. Part number is 30657629.

Thanks for your feedback - that's similar to what the dealer told me. They said that some of the other things that were failing were shown/manifesting in that state due to the door control, since there's some sort of daisy-chain setup of systems, and that failure of a primary system like the door controller will cause lower priority / secondary systems to also fail. They're saying that most, if not all, of them will come back online when the door controller is replaced. A used one is on its way down from NY -- guess we'll see...!

Thanks again.

I would've cleared the ECM's data before I ordered a replacement. Just disconnect the battery terminals and hold them together for at least twenty seconds and reinstall.

This bleeds off the data rapidly instead of waiting 24 hours.

A used DDM (drivers door module) will not work for you, once software is installed on any module, it cannot be used on any other car. Not sure why they would sell you one, they should know better. The best analogy I can think of is when you burn your own cd's. Once you burn songs onto a blank cd, you can't remove the old songs and burn new ones onto the disc. It's a one time deal. Very similar setup with Volvo modules, once they have been installed or used on a car, they are only able to be used on that particular car, they cannot be re-sold and used on another car. That software is "burned" onto the module, and it can't be removed.

The idea you mentioned of "daisy -chain" is spot on, if something at the very top of the chain starts failing, everything below is now at risk for throwing a trouble code. Even if there is no real problem with the lower chain modules etc. Let's hope it is not the CEM. I'd ask the dealer/shop how they are going to install a used module, I would like to hear their response.

You know, that's funny (and scary). What you're telling me exactly matches what my (non-dealer) Volvo garage told me about the Door Control Module. But the dealer insisted that the DCM is 'like a printer driver being installed on a PC', and that it was not one of the components that couldn't be re-used in a different vehicle. Argh.

As you said, the proof will be in the outcome when they try to put it in, I guess! If they turn out to be wrong, that would indeed be disturbing that a dealer didn't understand something that's apparently fundamental.

I'll post a follow-up when it's over...

Thanks.

Alan

Hello everyone we have the autologic scanner for volvo and with the autologic you can reprogram dooor module air bag module there have not been many module in a volvo that can not be bought used and programmed for that car just did two 2001 volvo s80 passanger door modules and worked great before going to dealer find someone in your area that has that scanner

Thanks for the heads-up. As it turns out, the dealer was (luckily) able to re-program the used door module that he found in NY, and all is now working pretty well. Replacing that cleared up pretty much all the other error codes, too. What was going to be $601 plus labor ended up under $280 total.

Only problem now is my car remote, which I didn't have with me when the door module was done, will lock all the doors EXCEPT the driver's door. I assume that this is due to the new controller in the driver's door - should I take the remote in for programming or something?

Thanks.

Not sure if the siren module is different but I bought a used one from Eire Vo-Vo and installed it today and didn't have to reprogram anything. Just pulled the neg ground cable before I started, R&R the module turn the key to the II ACC setting reconnected the ground and then locked and unlocked the doors with the key fob 3X and all was good. Power Sun Roof is now working and the"Alarm System Service Required" is now gone.

Not sure why if the door module is from the same year and model it wouldn't work. Unless the key fob code is stored and transmitted form the door module and not the ECM but I can't believe it would be.

Don

Cool, glad everything's mostly better. The door not locking does sound like the DDM they installed might be bad, though (hopefully it's a loose connection, but I doubt it). Does it unlock properly with the remote? Does the door lock if you hit the power lock button manually? How about the power lock button on the passenger side? I'm a little miffed at that dealer, though. VIDA clearly states (in almost every place that mentions software downloading) that the technician must fault-check and resolve all codes before attempting a software download.

My local dealer failed to do this when programming new keys and managed to "break" the immobilizer (wouldn't go into programming mode). Replaced the immobilizer (no charge), and it still wouldn't accept a reload. Fault traced a DIM code that showed up (but that they didn't check up front), discovered a problem with it talking on the CAN bus, replaced DIM, then put back the old (not actually broken) immobilizer (so as to not risk corrupting VITaL), reloaded the DIM and ran the Key Application...perfection!