1999 V70 DREADED FLASHING ORANGE ARROW AND ERRATIC DASH LIGH

10seconds · Post by **10seconds** » 15 May 2006, 07:24

Hi People ,
hopefully someone can share some info on what may be wrong with my 199 v70t wagon.
The organe W mode dash light comes on intermittently and caused the car to take off like a snail with a hangover .
the speedometer works intermittently.
the odometer works then goes to all dashes
the rest of the dash lights go on and off intermittently
Occasionally the indicators do not work, and very rarely the headlights do not work.
I had a guy look at it....he conned me into servicing the automatic transmission which of course did not help. He basically said he doesn't know what it is. I saw volvo dealer way back when i only had the orange dash light on indicating an electronic fault and they gave me the brush off and told me it's no problem.Now the car seems possessed.
Any help would be greatly appreciated
Cheers
Daniel

anlor · Post by **anlor** » 23 May 2006, 16:50

Is the ABS light coming on?
If it is then you have a Bad ABS module, Vic Rocha can repair them for about $125 and you basically get a good module for life as he gets them up to a higher spec than factory new.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 23 May 2006, 18:43

Sounds like a combination of the PnP switch and bad battery to me.

10seconds · Post by **10seconds** » 24 May 2006, 06:38

actually the battery died last week , has been replaced but nothing has improved. Yes the ABS light is one of the many lights the comes on. I also suspected the PNP switch after trawling the forums for answers .

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 24 May 2006, 20:19

If your battery died last week and it was replaced and now you're having more signs of battery power loss, check the glove compartment door. It is very typical that these get loose and don't turn the light off in the compartment. It's an easy fix. Tape a nickle to the closure that presses against the light switch on the glove box door. Either that or your battery posts need cleaning, or your charging system is at fault. Don't discount the ABS module either. When it goes, strange things can abound.

You can check the battery with a volt meter with the car running...should be 14+ volts with load.

wolf · Post by **wolf** » 25 May 2006, 00:26

Those are all signs of ABS control unit going bad, i promise.

symtoms of failing ABS unit...

Orange arrow light flashing
Speedometer does not display speed off and on
Brake and ABS lights go on and off
Dashes on both trip counter and odemeter while having the other problems
Car feels like it is stuck in a high gear when accelerating from 0mph (rpm's go very high with little speed change)

I just "delt with it" for a few months before fixing because I was to lazy to buy a new one or send my old one into Vic Rocha for the reapir, now everything is normal.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 25 May 2006, 19:07

Had only the ABS light on when mine failed...maybe no speedo intermittently but that was it.....maybe others have had different experiences.

Post by **JRL** » 27 May 2006, 22:02

It also could be your ignition tumbler itself.
Like many strange things with Volvos they go bad reletively often at over 80000 miles and when they do they can short out everything.
After you start your car, turn the key back a little, the "spring" fails and it can stay almost in the start position

volvo rider · Post by **volvo rider** » 28 May 2006, 17:08

I have the same issue with my 1998 V70 T5 Turbo. I just did my 100,000 mile service two weeks ago and now the "check engine" light is back on. wtf?

Do you think it could be the mass airflow sensor that's between the filter and the intake as the problem? because I can't find it.

I have a brand new diehard battery and all my fluids are topped off.

I truly beleive the dealership mechanics are amatuers and just want to rip people off. If anybody here can recommend a good volvo mechanic in Austin, TX, I'd appreciate it.