'99 S80 Brake Control Module part+labor = $1k

[matthew1]

He doesn't remember if they gave him technical codes, and they didn't write them down on anything he has. His recollection from the Message Center: "Pull Over Safely", "Check Transmission" and SRS messages.

The biggest giveaway symptom was stalling/chugging and inability to start the car in fewer than 3 or 4 tries. Hope this helps.

[umpernickelnoi]

I have the same problem (see my reply to 'Brake system failure on 2000 S80', by ranson), and the steps I took to live with this apparently incurable problem. I had the full Monty with Complete Brake Failure message, warning lights like a Christmas tree and frozen dash gauges and Sat Nav. Riverside Volvo, Hull involved the senior Volvo UK engineer, who was based at Doncaster, who in turn involved Volvo Sweden, and they could not fix the problem.

I had already spent £1000 plus on their first failed attempt (new ABS control, software etc.), they then had the car for another month approx. and tried all options.

As this did nothing I refused to pay for their failed efforts and fitted the isolator switch (as in the above posted reply). The car is top of the range, with every conceivable extra, low mileage, well serviced and in almost new condition. The official value – little over £1000.00!!!! hardly worth another few £1000 modules.

Best regards and good luck, I will watch with great interest to see if your dogged determination makes them put some effort into finding a cure.

[matthew1]

Umpernickelnoi, welcome to MVS. A new CEM was the cure.

[Summergirl99s80t-6]

I am glad to see this volvo forum. I just came across this today and it has been quite informative and helpful thus far.

I have a 99 s80 t-6 with turbo with over 216k miles. I had been getting warning lights and messagesfor months even after brake pads and rotors were replaced. After a free diagnosis by the Volvo dealer when the ABS, traction control and brake warnings kept coming on they confirmed my suspiscion said it was the ABS brake control module that needed replacing. The quoted me over $1300 for the part and $200 for the 2 hours of labor. Well I'm no fool so I went shopping for the part and started doing research. They diagnosed the car in May '11 and since then I have had to have the car towed 2x to my mechanic, the speedo, tacho and odometer wold suddenly stop working when the ABS light came on and now there are no lights on the instrument panel except the "check engine" message. Nothing on the instrument panel is working including the gas gauge and my mechanic said it is all due to ABS console. The radio/CD player works but the controls on th steering wheel don't. The AC is not working all of a sudden and I never had a problem in the 6 years I have had the car. Everything on the outside is working: lights, signls, high beams. The gear shift doesn't register correctly but the car shifts in gear. I am driving the car because I need transportation but concerned that I may get stuck. I have to start it 2-3 times to gt it running.

My mechanic has been looking for the part but since it is so specific and those places can't run it by the VIN #, they need to take mine out, ship it to make sure the sequence numbers match the one they'll send me or they would rebuild mine if they don't have one. Either way I'm not confident this will solve all the issues especially having read this forum.

Is it time to get another car or should I take the chance on a used part and hope this is not the start of a money pit?
Oh, did I mention the sunroof and lights connected to them stopped working and my mechanic had to do something with the wires to get it to close. Now something up there needs replacing.

[dcarlson12]

There are a few places which repair the ABS module for a lot less than a new module and not like obtaining a used ABS module which might also fail. Search on this site and you will find a few. Apparently usually soldered joints need repair.

[grensuvs]

Summergirl,

Save your time: the ABS control module on a 1999 S80 T6 is non-repairable/rebuildable. If it really is defective, replacement is the only option. You said that you do research, so make sure they know what car you have, if anyone is telling you that it can be repaired/rebuilt.

Second: save your money and put the cash into a different car. Count yourself (VERY) lucky that you got 216k miles out of the car.

grensuvs

[Matty Moo]

I've fixed more than a few s80 modules from 99-2001 years.

Who said they weren't repairable?

[grensuvs]

I talked to 2 places, at least, I believe it was Victor something and I'm not sure who else. I found the info on this site, so it could have been you as well.

It's been awhile since I did the search--as I recall now, they cannot repair/rebuild a '99 s80 t6 module if the car has DSTC. I should have been more clear in my note, it's not the year and turbo, but for these cars with DSTC you are out of luck. That is what I found.

Is that not correct Matty Moo?

I don't know if Summergirl has DSTC or not; worth checking.

--grensuvs.

[Matty Moo]

STC=mk20=repairable. I think just about every s80 with STC uses a 8619538, and they won't take any of the other STC units.

I only know of two places that repair DSTC units...Xemodex and BBa. I have noticed some guy on eBay claiming to fix them for $124, but I'm somewhat suspicious of that.

[grensuvs]

Matty Moo and everyone,

Xemodex confirmed that they do NOT repair DSTC units.

BBa doesn't list on their website whether they do or not, must look up by VIN number only on line or over the phone.

So that's at best one place, possibly, in two countries, that may repair/rebuild Volvo ABS units with DSTC.

--grensuvs