Alarm System Requires Maintenance?

DLC · Post by **DLC** » 23 Oct 2010, 18:23

02 XC with 78000 miles. Message on dash stating alarm system requires maintenance. What kind of maintenance? Can anyone shed some light on this? Does anyone know how to turn the message off? Alarm system seems to work just fine so not sure what the message is all about. Thanks!

JimLev · Post by **JimLev** » 23 Oct 2010, 20:41

My alarm was going off for no reason. I was visiting friends for a few days and had to park in the street so I pulled the fuse for the alarm so it wouldn't be going off every 20 min all night long. After pulling the fuse I got the same message as you.
I haven't had time to look into it yet. I'm having problems with both rear door locks operating with the remote and the lock button on the door (I have to manually lock them). I don't know if this is my problem or not.

jda2000 · Post by **jda2000** » 24 Oct 2010, 10:42

the alarm/siren control module is acting up. A common failure in these cars, and usually is the siren's battery that has corroded and leaked acid disrupting the connection.

Replacing the battery usually fixes the problem. Alarm module is in the right fender area, need to remove right wheel and plastic liner to get to it.

endothrow · Post by **endothrow** » 26 Oct 2010, 10:07

I actually had the same problem with my vehicle at about 84K miles. I took it to the dealer and they said that moisture had entered through the alarm siren and that the siren would need to be replaced in order to remove the code from the car and allow the siren to work.
The work at the dealer was going to run about $500 for this replacement. Since I park in a garage every night, I refused the service and have to clear the "alarm service required" code about once every 10 starts. Not a big deal at all!

DLC · Post by **DLC** » 07 Nov 2010, 06:09

How do I clear the "alarm system requires maintenance" message? Thanks!

Post by **JRL** » 07 Nov 2010, 06:11

You can't.
I believe it's dealer only (Vadis/VIDA)

otis44 · Post by **otis44** » 07 Nov 2010, 07:41

The PPC scanner will clear the message, but if the module is bad its going to come back next time you lock the car. Not that many Volvo's in my area and I know of 3 of these that have been changed in the last year on 04-05 models, and my wife's 06 S60 currently has a bad module as well. It's a pain to get to, but easy to change once you find it.

Manta · Post by **Manta** » 15 Nov 2010, 08:46

Had the same problem on my 01 S60 Siren block was damaged by acid from the battery. Bought brand new from head dealer for 140 pound and was replaced my self for approx time 1hr. The most difficult was take off the old one. You will need a god small drill. You do not need to reset your computer after that. The error will disappear after replacement.

endothrow · Post by **endothrow** » 09 Dec 2010, 09:04

DLC wrote:How do I clear the "alarm system requires maintenance" message? Thanks!

What I meant, is that I clear it on the info display (mark it as a read message). It doesn't produce a CEL so I'm not worried about it.