Message Panel quit

Esnoyer · Post by **Esnoyer** » 01 Mar 2011, 21:55

The last thing it said was ,Alarm system requires service,Now nothing,blank,No door open,or any other messages.
Any ideas as to what has happened? Ed

endothrow · Post by **endothrow** » 02 Mar 2011, 07:32

Strange that it would go blank, but are you sure there just aren't any messages to display? Can you cycle through your fuel information while driving?

It means that the alarm siren relay is failing/failed probably due to moisture. The message will appear for about 5 seconds or so upon start-up and then clear itself from the DIM screen. This is a very common problem on P2 cars and has happened to me too. The failing part may not sound the alarm siren if someone tried to break into your car. I elected not to fix mine since I park in the garage every night at home and have secure parking at work.

You have 3 options to correct the problem:
1. Dealer Service Repair- I was quoted just shy of $500 for the new parts, labor and update. I said "no".
2. Purchase new siren from online retailer or Volvo parts dept. and replace yourself. I heard of someone finding a siren for right around $120 online just a few weeks ago.
3. Ignore the code and let the message clear itself each time you start it up. I have found if I am parked inside for an extended period of time, I don't get the message when I start the car.

The code isn't hurting anything at the moment it is just annoying to the driver seeing that message each time you start the car. Hope that helps!

Esnoyer · Post by **Esnoyer** » 02 Mar 2011, 09:47

The panel saying Alarm Requires Service ,ever so often didn't bother me,Its The panel not working,eg. doors are open,tail gate.This has me wondring what happened??Ed

Esnoyer · Post by **Esnoyer** » 02 Mar 2011, 12:08

Left my car in our heated garage over night and the Mesage panel worked when I entered the car,temp in the garage 12C.
Drove out into minus 1c.and the panel stopped working again.Had the car washed on the way home yesterday,could that have soaked the alarm modum in the rf. fender well and caused this.?Ed

billr99 · Post by **billr99** » 02 Mar 2011, 12:25

The alarm module is pretty well sealed although the connection point can allow water into the unit. It is also possible that the backup battery is starting to die in the alarm module. What I did was to get a newer used unit from Eire Vo-Vo for less than $100. I also, as an experiment, took my original module apart, cleaned up the circuit board (which can get damaged by a leaking battery) and replaced the small 7.2v/250mAH NiMH battery with a $10 new one I found on e-Bay. That also worked out but required the module to be cut open and resealed with duct tape. In any case, way cheaper options than the ridiculous dealer cost for a new one.

Also as a possibility is that your DIM is going out. THe failure of the CPU-to-mainboard connection in the CPU can manifest itself in all kinds of weird and wonderful ways. Do a search on your options in that case. None are particularly attractive but you are in the right city to get it sorted quickly as a re-man outfit is actually out in Missasagua (Xemodex)

Good Luck,

Bill

Esnoyer · Post by **Esnoyer** » 05 Mar 2011, 11:48

Thanks for your input guy's If in the garage over night it works for 5min to1/2 a day when out driving ,Then it quits untill
the next morning and repeats the same thing,And the Alarm Needs Service mesage comes on as well untill I cancel it.
Ok WHATS a Dim???