2004 xc70 All dashboard lights off- No Power

quirozson · Post by **quirozson** » 10 Apr 2014, 08:52

My xc70 was driving great yesterday. This morning my wife said she turned it on and all the dashboard lights went off except the check engine light. The Engine was still running but in limp mode with almost no power.

Alternator gone?

Please help with diagnosis. Car went from running great to.... nothing. Sounds like the automatic locks aren't working either.

Please point me in the correct direction.

Thanks, you guys are great for the learning DIYS'er

Post by **oragex** » 10 Apr 2014, 11:56

It can be instruments cluster panel (dash) failure. Did it come back today at the first start? It could be just a small solder inside, some electricians can fix this.

quirozson · Post by **quirozson** » 10 Apr 2014, 13:40

If it was the instrument cluster why would that affect engine performance?

Post by **oragex** » 10 Apr 2014, 13:59

You are right. The same happened to me (faulty cluster), but the engine was still working properly.

Post by **marshallh** » 14 Apr 2014, 21:54

Do the:
1. Turn signals work?
2. Headlights?
3. Door locks?

Can you put a multimeter on the DC battery posts? (the + terminal is under the hood just above a flap next to the fuse box on the driver's side)
You will see all sorts of odd faults when the battery is a bit low.

Any more info would be great

quirozson · Post by **quirozson** » 17 Apr 2014, 22:08

Seems like it was the Instrument Cluster. I disconnected the battery and reconnected it and everything was working again. The Airbag warning light was on. I had that reset by the dealership. Not sure why I lost power...? But everything is working for now. I'll try to get it rebuilt (instrument cluster) asap... hopefully before it fails again.

Lauren04XC70 · Post by **Lauren04XC70** » 21 Apr 2014, 08:48

My car did the exact same thing yesterday but no reduction in power. Blinkers, brake lights all work. Radio/AC work. Rear windows will roll down by using the rear window buttons, but won't roll down using the front buttons. No lights on dash above steering wheel...only check engine light shows up just during start up. I can hear an off-rhythm "clicking" noise that appears to be happening in both front doors.

Disconnected and reconnected the battery and it seems to be back to normal. Will have the battery checked today. If this is NOT a battery issue and is indeed an electrical issue...

Local Volvo Mech is backed up 3 weeks. I prefer my guy in B'ham (an hour away) anyways. Would you all deem it safe to drive this car an hour- all highway 70mph-to get to my preferred mechanic and have this looked at?

Or, is this something my Uncle, a mechanic, could remedy for me?

I'm a little frantic about it, because my other beloved car (04 Discovery) has to be towed to my guy in B'ham this week. I would love to not bust my April car budget!

Any advice is welcome.

Lauren
2004 XC70
129k miles, no accidents

Post by **marshallh** » 22 Apr 2014, 20:30

If the faults are being caused by a module crashing (due to bad solder joint, bad connection or failure) they only affect their own functionality, except it's the CEM or something that bridges many modules. Your DDM sounds like it was acting up last time.

Even if all the modules stop, you can still drive and stop safely. However you won't have turn signals (those are handled by the steering wheel module). Your brake lights will still function as 2004 was the last year to have old fashioned non-computerized brake lights.

Lauren04XC70 · Post by **Lauren04XC70** » 25 Apr 2014, 15:44

Thinking about doing the DIM module repair using ClusterFix. Anyone have feedback to offer? Thanks!

Lauren04XC70 · Post by **Lauren04XC70** » 12 May 2014, 14:17

Sent the DIM to ClusterFix in WA and the owner called and said that the dim wasn't doing anything wrong...suggested it was the CEM. We told him to work on it anyways just in case. Got it back today and reinstalled and still no dash lights, gauges etc. clicking sounds in the doors. Etc etc. We went through the records in this car and previous owner has had the CEM replaced before and ECM upgrade REM issues addressed in the past as well. Low speed ESN communication issues, CCM and DDM replaced/reprogrammed due to going offline and faults. I've had this car about a month and only drove it for a few days. Do we need to sell this car? My mechanic said it was a great car mechanically, but he couldn't do the computer stuff anymore due to Volvo licensing? There is a dealership an hour away but I'm not sure if this is something I can address? Please help me. Thanks! Lauren