Power to DIM

mglass · Post by **mglass** » 25 May 2012, 12:29

I have a used 2003 s60 and the DIM is dead most of the time. Sometimes but more and more seldom it will light up and instruments (speedometer and engine temperature etc.) work. I took DIM out and tested with a volt meter the leads coming to it and couldn't get any positive volt over about 1 volt. Is it supposed to have 12 volts to it or does it automatically shut the power off if unplugged?

Post by **IdahoBob** » 26 May 2012, 22:55

My guess is that the DIM is dead.
There are a few threads regarding how to (maybe) repair one of the chips,a dn some have some success with that.
I "just" pulled the old one out and replaced it with a used one. The XC70, S60, V70 and S80 all use the same DIM, so there are a few floatign around...the exact rev. # of the DIM is important, not jsut the part number. Look at the paper label onthe top when you get it out (about a 15 minute job), and have the junk yard get you one with all matching numebrs (except serial #, or course). Plug it in right there in the parkign lot of the junk yard. If it's the right one, it will work right there.
Some say it will show your car's mileage. When I did it, the DIM showed the mileage of the junker, but the car retained its true miles in one of the other on-board computers, whic Volvo can see if you go in for dealer work.
This cost me $60 in parts.
There's a guy that sells rebuilt ones, and he'll be writign you soon, sayign all you can do is buy his for $700, or pay the dealer $1200.

Happy MOtoring.
Idaho Bob
Lower Left-Hand Nebraska.

mglass · Post by **mglass** » 29 May 2012, 06:45

OK. Thanks for the information. I bought this car used and the owner had already purchased a used DIM and then ordered another that he said had the exact part number. I don't have the original DIM so I don't know if the numbers are an exact match or not. When I plugged the second one in it didn't do anything. Since the first one works occasionally I put it back in and now I'm wondering if the relay that controls the power to the DIM may be bad. So I probed with the volt meter but couldn't find the power and am wondering if the DIM itself has to tell the ECU to turn on the relay?

Post by **jimmy57** » 29 May 2012, 09:28

Some of the modules are powered continuously and CEM signals them to come alive. I think the DIM is one of those.
You may have to do a battery reset to get a new DIM to come on. The DIM is the module most likely to go offline and stay offline when things are unplugged from network.

billr99 · Post by **billr99** » 29 May 2012, 16:08

No, there is no magic or relay involved. If you have a properly matched DIM (i.e. right, matching numbers), it will come right up as it should. Since the one you have works half the time, take those numbers and get a matching and fully working used one. Nothing wrong with the numbers, its the DIM that is bad. The problem is that with the age of the proper ones, many used ones have at least some level of failure due to deteriorated solder joints. Its always possible to send the semi-working one to XEMODEX for rebuilding but that will set you back about $500. On the other hand, if you have a good source of used Volvo parts and they have a decent return policy, a used DIM is still the best option IMHO.

Good Luck,

Bill

draser · Post by **draser** » 30 May 2012, 19:01

Actually there are relays and fuses that power the DIM, the CEM enables 12V to it - see wiring diagrams. However, if the DIM goes in and out it's more than likely loose connections at the IC chips that drive displays, etc - for more info see the other forum:
http://www.volvo-forums.com/t13321-dash ... oblems.htm
Also, like jimmy said, the module needs to be plugged in so that the CEM finds it in the CAN network, then it energizes the relay to let 12V to it.
So it's either xemodex or junk yard, whichever makes economic sense. I'd call xemodex for a quote just to be sure.

mglass · Post by **mglass** » 08 Sep 2018, 21:05

Finally found break in solder joint on DIM board. Repaired that and it has been working fine for four years. Still a problem with high beam indicator light and clock is in set mode all the time. But the gages work. Thanks everyone for your help.

Post by **oragex** » 09 Sep 2018, 00:45

Nice update - and yes the high beam light fails on these and the clock as well. My repaired DIM just give up at the named light, however the clock was going funny before the repair so no impossible yours will start acting up for example in the message display.

franky82 · Post by **franky82** » 11 Sep 2018, 19:33

If anyone has issues with there DIM send it to https://www.automotivecircuitsolutions. ... 0-v70-xc70. My DIM also had all sorts of weird issues like clock running backwards, pixelation on the displays and sometimes it would quit all together. After doing a little research I found automotive circuit solutions and sent them my DIM for repair. It's been about a month or so now with no issues.