02 V70 DIM/Instrument Cluster

[allenzachary]

I'm on the verge of buying an 02 V70 base for what seems to be a good deal, $1200. It purportedly has 177K miles. The car has obviously been well maintained and cared for but has a couple of issues that scare me

Main problem is the instrument cluster (aka DIM) is not functional at all. The current owner says the instrument cluster has been replaced with a reman unit, but it still has no power. He does not have the original, as it was returned as a "core." I'd like to either get the "new" one fixed or replace it with one that works. Is it possible to figure out which original DIM came in the car by using the VIN? I don't want to get into a nightmare of cluster swaps attempting to get this working.

The car has two other mystery issues.

The turn signals do not work on either side. The owner says it's because of the DIM, but what I'm reading in forums says differently. From what I can tell, a trip to the junkyard could solve the issue with a replacement signal module.

The other weird issue is the brake booster buzzes like the devil when the car is shut off. It sound like a gravel throated alarm. It stops after a couple minutes. Any ideas?

Other than those issues, the car is sweet. Clean body. Leak free engine. Interior in great shape, even the driver's seat. I just don't want to get stuck with an anchor.

What does everyone time about this purchase? Savvy? Stupid? Something in between?

[SuperHerman]

You never stated whether the reman DIM ever work? Who did the reman? If XeModex it is a lifetime warranty and s/he can claim it. Have him/her do it before you buy. It takes about 5 minutes to remove. You need to provide the full story on the DIM before an answer can be provided.

But a DIM with the exact same part number will work. Call the dealer and ask if they can tell you the part number based on your DIM - I have not seen anything on the net on this question. Any used DIM will carry with it a higher mileage if it has a higher mileage or use the mileage from one of the computers - it defaults to the higher of the two. If the DIM did work, then I would send it to XeModex and pay the $250 and have them go through it. You will receive a plug and play unit without issues and worries.

Also - check all your fuses. Use the below mentioned wiring diagram for a complete guide to how it is all hooked up.

As to your other turn signal question - look at the wiring diagrams which can be found here:

http://www.volvowiringdiagrams.com/?dir ... 20Diagrams

(I hope I can provide this link - if not moderator please scrub it - and OP do a search and you will find the wiring diagrams for your Volvo).

Know nothing about the brake booster buzz - look at the hoses for leaks.

[allenzachary]

Good stuff.

The reman never worked. The seller says they teplaced it, it didn't come on, they did some cursory tests and gave up. Apparently they have several vehicles and decided to give up on this one.

They say the vendor was in Arizona or Nevada. That's sll I've got.

Thanks for the diagram for the signals.

I don't want to get stuck with someone else's nightmare

[chrism]

I've lived through all three of your problems since buying a well-worn 2003 V70 about four years ago.

DIM: Not having the original DIM in hand will increase the challenge. As mentioned, Xemodex may be able to help you out if they know the VIN - try calling them. Basically, there is a code number printed on the back side of each DIM. Any replacement DIM must have a matching code if you are going to expect a plug-and-play swap. If Xemodex can't help try a dealer, although their willingness (or ability) to help may be questionable. I was able to source a matching used DIM from Southern Vo-vo for a reasonable price. Erie Volvo is another good source. But you aren't going to be able to buy a used DIM until you know the code. The guy at Southern Vo-vo said you can often match to another model like S60, S80, but it has to be the same year and same code. ie you can't use a 2003 DIM in your 2002 car. As for the mileage, in my case my car had 155,000 on it and the replacement DIM had 55,000 on it. When I installed it, it read the LOWER of the two. I documented the difference in my maintenance log so nobody can accuse me fraud. Also, once the DIM is unplugged from the car DON"T TURN THE IGNITION ON. If you do, it will set an SRS error that only a dealer or well-equipt independent mechanic can reset. I know cuz I did it. Had to pay my local indy $30 to reset it. Since your DIM is totally dead you may have that already have that issue anyway.

Turn signal: If you are good at working on tiny things you can open up the turn signal switch and clean the internal contacts. They use a light grease inside the switch when it's built and it gets old and hard after 10+ years. Lay a towel on the table/work bench when you open it up in case any of the tiny parts fall out.

Brake Booster buzzing: I just fixed this one about two weeks ago. There is a vacuum pump up in front of the air cleaner box that is designed to maintain a vacuum on the brake booster in the event that you need brakes when the engine is dead. If the brake booster develops a vacuum leak (common problem) then the pump has to work overtime to maintain that vacuum source. In my case I had a leak at the brake pedal rod on the backside of the booster and was getting a high pitch whistling noise from down by my feet. It got so bad that the pump was occasionally running even with the engine idling. Of course when I shut the engine off it would buzzzzzzzzzz steadily for the prescribed time span. There's a vacuum sensor/switch incorporated above the pump that tells the pump when it needs to run. For me it was obvious where the leak was but if you aren't sure you should be able to plug the hose that runs from the pump/sensor stuff to the booster. If the buzzing diminishes, you've found your problem. Keep in mind it can be a leak in the hose itself. Those pumps are rather pricy so best to find the cause as soon as possible.

Good luck!

[oragex]

Skip on this one. They either put a bad DIM with the good numers, either put a DIM from a different engine year so it has the bad numbers (all 4 numerss on the side must match) and will never work on that car. To get the right numbers, look up on Ebay. BUT, there are few to no 2002-2003 DIM modules on Ebay because all are dead. Even if the one in the car has the right numbers, maybe the owner already tryied to repair it by itself and might be busted beyond repair.

The turn signals work with a bad DIM, but you won't hear the "click"

[SuperHerman]

Looks like you got most of your questions answered on the turn stalk repair and brake booster buzzing. Did a similar stalk repair on my old Land Rover and Toyota. Brake buzz info good to know, thanks chrism!

As to the DIM, call XeModex is best advice. 2002 is a known bad year for the DIM. Maybe they can give you the part number needed or fix what you send them, assuming it is the right part. If this is a dead end I suggest you post a question on this forum asking for DIM part number for month and year of your car. I have a 2002 XC70 and I will look this up for you by Monday. I would assume same month and year and model would get you correct part.

I am fighting a terrible electrical issue with no success. Alternator took out CEM and something else per prior owner. I paid $850 for the car in decent shape w 126k . XeModex rebuilt my CEM, but that did not solve the problem. When I plug in my load side on the climate module my DIM goes out. Put in used CCM and same story. I am stumped as I pulled the most likely offending load wires per XeModex and still have the issue. It use to blow fuse 24 or 26 . I forget. Prior owner had the DIM rebuilt by a shop and it works until I plug in the CCM load. Crazy.

[chrism]

That stuff is strange voodoo to me. Do big amperage things like A/C compressor clutch and blower motor play into this equation? You could pull their fuses if you haven't already.