Warning Message: Electrical System '04 XC90

casab · Post by **casab** » 02 Aug 2011, 11:53

My XC90 had a funny smell as I entered my driveway at the end of a long, hot road trip in Texas. The outside temp registered around 116 degrees. After I got to my house, I turned off the car, started unloading it and didn't crank it up again until the next day. I had forgotten about the smell. When I started backing it up, the steering wheel would barely turn at all. A message came on about having the electrical system checked.

We live way out in the boonies. A tow truck will have to take it between 60-90 miles to the nearest repair shop. If there's any way we can fix it ourselves, we sure would love to try.

Since then, we've added power steering fluid. It was low. We also disconnected the battery in the back thinking maybe that would "reset" something. Now, the a/c has quit. The engine sounds like it wants to start but doesn't turn over. It does sound electrical. I'm wondering if, due to driving all day in the extreme heat, something electical went out? Melted? I've accessed the fuse box but so far don't see anything obvious.

If anyone here has any experience or insight, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks!

casab · Post by **casab** » 06 Aug 2011, 20:04

Figured it out. It was all due to an oil leak...

glenwyatt · Post by **glenwyatt** » 07 Aug 2011, 10:52

Can you elaborate, it might help the next guy.

Post by **gshadow325** » 10 Aug 2011, 18:38

glenwyatt wrote:Can you elaborate, it might help the next guy.

usually the alternator fails on the 5 and 6 cylinder cars because the power steering pump leaks and drips onto the alternator. i have experienced these failures on several of my volvos previously. the fluid causes a short inside the alternator.