ECC-Control Module? 94 850 Turbo 84,000 miles

csss98 · Post by **csss98** » 05 Nov 2011, 11:09

NOW-orange lights flashing. I have no heat or A/C. MONTHS AGO an indy (from a known car accessories/parts chain) installed new heater core. It still leaked. (I thought) He said "leaking" was only residue. (Nothing is leaking now and my carpet is finally dry.) He "tested" his work. He gunned the engine-over my objection.. Everything stopped. Blower fan and heat-stopped dead. He wasn't sure if it was the blower fan or the "CONTROL MODULE"or something else. The car was drivable.The situation escalated and the District Manager, a certified master mechanic who never saw my car told me the problem was the CONTROL MODULE, an $850.00 part, that the blowing out was just a co-incidence, not his mechanic's fault and he wouldn't take responsibility, nor would he fix my car. Orange ECC lights were flashing and still flash upon start-up and at times while driving. Car started running hot. One time I couldn't pull over in time and I overheated. Took car to dealership- to the tune of more money than I could afford. Volvo dealership told me I blew my engine and my head gasket and I needed about 6 different temp control sensors (the numbers of which I can tell you if it matters)--never mentioned CONTROL MODULE. They said the tTHERMOSTAT WAS FINE!! Fix would cost about $7,500-not worth it. Car continued running hot.Only drove on streets-no highways. Had to pull over every 4 blocks. I was shopping for a used car. A retired mechanic I was speaking to(who didn't check-out car) said Volvo lied. Engine had to be fine. He said I wouldn't be able to drive all over the neighborhood, even with pulling over, if my engine wasn't working. He said head gasket was not blown because I wasn't losing anti-freeze. He recommended a non-Volvo indy who CHANGED MY THERMOSTAT FO $ 60 and my car STOPPRD RUNNING HOT. . Car drives fine now. The indy didn't want to tackle ECC. He doesn't do Volvos. ECC problems persist. No heat. No A/C. Different Indy (Volvo specialist) I found on line replaced the resistor. Blower fan works for 15 minutes and cuts off.Volvo indy wants to replace blower fan and re-diagnose. He doesn't think I will need sensors, but then he didn't think I'd need a blower fan if he'd replace the resistor. I called your advertiser to order fan and all sensors anyway thinking I'd return what wasn't used. I Can't return. They're all special order parts. Surprisingly, and to his credit, the auto parts Volvo specialist talked me out of buying ALL the parts- even blower fan. He thinks its a control module problem. He thinks that if the blower fan works for 15 minutes and cuts off, the blower is probably not defective, or it probably wouldn't work at all. Currently the Volvo indy specialist came up with codes-222 and/or 220, 414, 419, 126. Previously-from Volvo dealer-543, 451, 232, 143, 212-214,444. Also Volvo dlr said I needed an A/C Compressor. Indy said he won't know about compressor until the blower is working.Sorry-edited and cryptic-I thought I had no more space. What are your thoughts? I don't know what to do. I can't trust the Volvo dealer. Don't know if I can trust the indy. I can't afford unnecessary work. I can't even afford necessary work.The Auto parts guy suggested a used Control Module (not from his company). Apparantly the Control module has some other name because it's not on the list - drop down menu- on car-part.com. Do you know what else it's called? It's November in Queens, New York. It's getting cold. I must have heat. They're predicting a very bad December. Any suggestions anyone out there might have as to what I should do would be much appreciated. Thank you. By the way, after car shopping, I've come to the conclusion I really like my car. It's comfortable and it drives well. I still think it's a nice looking
car--now if I could only get some heat. P.S.--Thank you Ozark Lee for helping me retrieve this draft.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 05 Nov 2011, 13:54

Did the blower make squeaking noises before?

My suggestion is to read all of the codes from port B-1 and then clear them. The ECC never forgets a code until it is cleared and some of the issues may be legacy codes from things that were fixed long ago.

Once they are cleared run the car again and read the codes - from there we can focus on the real problem that the ECC is mad about right now.

...Lee

csss98 · Post by **csss98** » 05 Nov 2011, 16:28

Thank you. Blower never made and still does not make squeaking noises or any noises that I can recall. I believe the codes I gave you from the Volvo specialist indy were after he cleared it--but before he installed the new resistor (which I purchased from one of your sponsors)-I'm not positive. He ultimately went inside the office and had to check the codes from inside. Not sure what that was about. I believe it was after he put in the resistor. that might be why he doesn't think I will need sensors. He showed me the meter and meter reading indicating that at least part of the old resistor was dead.
He said I can use the blower on very low speed (about 1/4-1/3 of the way from left to right). Also, the A/c refrigerates the air when I have the dial set to defrost and the temp dials at 60. I don't mean cold air from outside-clearly refrigerated air wafts through the vents.--ends stronger than middle. I'll print the instructions and try to copy down, clear, run the car again then read and again copy down codes from port B-1. I'll get back to you. I'm not as confident as you seem to be that I'll follow the blinking lights accurately. Thanks again.

csss98 · Post by **csss98** » 26 Nov 2011, 19:40

I finally read the codes according to instructions on this website. Port B-1 reads (after clearing codes, reading codes, driving the car, then re-reading the codes: 418, 419, 126. To remind you, the indy replaced the resistor with one I bought from one of your sponsors. As per his instructions, I use the heat but I don't slide the blower lever more than 1/3 of the way. I get pretty strong heat and it doesn't cut off. I closed the air mix. The middle vents blow as strong as the sides now. The indy said that if I use the blower full blast I would ruin the new resistor (power stage). The orange lights still flash upon start up. So what is the ECC mad about? I hope it's not the control module. Also, my check engine light is on, and has been for some time. As long as I was reading codes, I decided to read every single port. I wonder if my "A" computer is functioning. Here's what I got:
A-1, A-2, A-3 and A-6 (and B-2) all had a steady red light as soon as I put in the jumper, which never blinked--not when I held the button for one second and not when I held the button for seven seconds-just a constant steady red light. For A-5, A-7, B-3 and B-6, the light simply never came on--no reaction at all when I put in the jumper. B-5 had 111-no faults. I look forward to your analysis of 1)the ECC, 2)whether I need a new blower fan and 3) the control module question. Also, what are your thoughts on the check engine light? Previously I was told there were misfires from various numbered cylinders when a mechanic used a computer. I had a tune up from an indy about 6,000 miles ago which, for me, was about 2-3 years ago. I drive frequently, but local driving in Queens, New York with red lights and looking for parking can keep me in and out of the car for hours yet only put 10 miles on the car. Thanks for all your help.

Post by **Ben850** » 26 Nov 2011, 20:20

I have a '93 and the early ECC units have a defect that causes them to fail, and it will. Your '94 ECC most likely has done so. I got mine on ebay from a guy that knows this defect and he refurbishes theese units.

He does'nt take exchanges, but sells them with a 2 year guarantee for $100. You can find them for less, but it will be a crap shoot. It's surprisingly easy to install as well. I would be willing to bet when you replace it, you will at least get accurate readings from your OBD 1, and if there are other problems you can at least trust the codes.
Good luck.

Oh, and I just wanted to add. I finally, today, replaced a bad cabin sensor that was throwing the 1-2-6 code, cleared the codes, and happily have no more blinking lights at startup. It was a pretty good day.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 27 Nov 2011, 06:17

1-2-6 is the passenger's side temp sensor - open circuit or shorted to power.

4-1-8 and 4-1-9 are both power stage (blower resistor) errors.

Since your system sounds like it is working I'm guessing your ECC control unit is still OK. Normally when they go out they are just dead and won't read out any codes at all. There is normally visual evidence as well where a capacitor has blown up and there is a big smoke smudge inside of the top of the controller case.

...Lee

Post by **Ben850** » 27 Nov 2011, 06:37

My system seemed like it was working as well, with similar simptoms. The '93 - '94 850 ECC units have a known defect. If it is not bad already, it is only a matter of time until it does fail.
The first thing I noticed after replacing the unit was consistency with the fan speed control when not in auto mode. I'm not saying the power stage codes that are showing up for you now are false, I simply would not trust the original ECC unit.

csss98 · Post by **csss98** » 27 Nov 2011, 21:05

Hi guys, Thanks for getting back to me. I didn't understand most of what you both said. Ben, when you say ECC is that what I think is the Control Module? I always used ECC to mean the entire electronic control system-meaning all of it's parts--sensors, fans, relays etc-- not one major part. Where is it in the car and what does it look like? Can I see it without removing parts? If I look for it on e-Bay, EXACTLY what do I call it? I'm not much of a DIY gal, but I try. Lee, What is a capacitator, where is it and where is the controller case so I can look for a smoke smudge. After all that, I still don't know what to do about the blower fan. Should I have the Volvo indy install it as he suggested along with the "126" sensor? Do I first invest the $100 on e-bay and have the indy install the ECC (still not sure if that's synonymous with control module). Please advise. Also, do you have any idea why my "A" computer seems to be malfunctioning? Is it malfunctioning? How do I check my check engine light? Thank you.

csss98 · Post by **csss98** » 27 Nov 2011, 21:18

Ben, How would I find the particular E-Bay guy you mentioned with the $100 reburbished unit with the 2 year guarantee? I don't want to break Matthew's website rules. I don't know if it's acceptable for you to post that info here

Post by **Ben850** » 27 Nov 2011, 22:50

The ECC (Electronic Climate Control) is the unit in the dash with the actual knobs and slider. You can take it out fairly easily but also have to slide the radio out. which is equally easy. But there are threads that explain that.

I might be able to pm the ebay guy to you tomorrow when I find my receipt. But you can start by doing a simple ebay search. Try "Volvo 850 climate control" .One of this guys units may pop up. You will probably recognize it if it is a buy now $99. Or it comes with warranty, and I believe he is in FL.
Good Luck.