2000 V70 Wagon - Laundry List!

PixiesMama · Post by **PixiesMama** » 08 Dec 2015, 14:59

Hey all,
I've been lurking and researching on these and other forums since we bought our 2000 V70 SE Wagon last spring. Unfortunately, she'd been through the ringer before we got her, so please understand that I'm just trying to give you some perspective on what our girl went through before she was ours...

2000 Volvo V70 SE Wagon
We purchased: 4/2015, northern Indiana
Now reside: Colorado
Condition: Poor

We came upon this vehicle on Craigslist being sold by the brother-in-law of a woman who was known to indulge in illegal amphetamines and have run-ins with the law. When we got it, the interior of the car had been stripped by the police and at some point held together with drywall screws and such.

These are the problems we're having. As I've mentioned, my dh and I have both researched quite a bit, so there is a great degree of comprehension. I just need to get this vehicle in a proper condition to deal with the outdoor conditions. Any help is great appreciated.

1) Someone "sat" their elbow on the 'down window' button and fried the controls for the FRONT DRIVER. We bought a new control from Amazon and it has controlled 3/4 windows without fail -- the bad window being the one that someone camped on until it was fried. I can add more details later if requested, but I suspect that the motor is fried. I know there's a couple of options as far as windows not wanting to go back up, but I need to know the most probably considering the fact that someone literally took a nap on this switch. And if you agree that it is the motor, can I switch out one of the other door so I can at least get the window up? I'm freezing!!!!

2) Approx 6 months after purchase, the dashboard starting lighting up like a Christmas tree. There is a rhyme or reason to the lighting up of the dashboard, but I haven't quite figured it out. Some combinations inveitably lead to some outcomes, while other times there is no problem. The only steady is that the "wet conditions" (?) light flashes constantly. Other than that, I just find that some lights (on the right side of the steering wheel only) come on randomly. At times, restarting the car re-sets the issue. Other times, it progresses from one 'set of lights' to the other 'set of lights', almost invariably ending in a situation where the car will not take off at a normal rate of speed. This car has been driven hard in every way imaginable, but it has take-off under normal circumstances. However, when this one particular sequence takes place, the whole car melts into 1/4 speed. I have my suspicions about what may be going on here, but I'll wait to hear any input...

So, this car has a lot going on and this is just the start, but I need to drive my kids across the country for Christmas, and I would appreciate if anyone had any input on this particular issues.

Thanks so much,
Meagan
x-posting on a few forums, please forgive!

Post by **dosbricks** » 08 Dec 2015, 18:29

Welcome to the forum, Meagan. The main issue that determines if anything else is worth fixing is the drive-ability issue because it sounds serious--as in transmission problem. When you're having warning lights during the "1/4 speed" situation, is one of them an arrow pointing upwards and possibly flashing?

PixiesMama · Post by **PixiesMama** » 08 Dec 2015, 19:30

MYes. Pointing upwards and flashing. You said transmission - I didn't. But this was my fear. Please elaborate. Sigh.

Post by **Matty Moo** » 08 Dec 2015, 21:11

Abs, check engine, brake, traction symbol and flashing arrow lights?

Or check engine and flashing arrow?

Or just tell us what lights they are in given combinations.

Post by **RussB** » 08 Dec 2015, 21:27

Get the codes read and post them here. Most auto parts stores will do it for free. More facts, less guessing

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 08 Dec 2015, 22:23

Random episodes where the entire cluster lights up like a Christmas tree is often due to a bad electrical portion of the ignition switch. In Volvo terms it is a relatively inexpensive part and it is very easy to change. The next time it acts up like that jiggle the keys and see if things change.

...Lee

PixiesMama · Post by **PixiesMama** » 08 Dec 2015, 22:45

Matty Moo wrote:Abs, check engine, brake, traction symbol and flashing arrow lights?

Yes, this is one combo.

Check engine has been on since we got it.

Flashing arrow has been a constant since the day it started - around September.

All other light (combinations) are random, although consistent (i.e. abs, flashing arrow, brake, etc ).

I don't believe that the lights being on have any bearing on whether or not those things work or not, but if the lights are code, then that's saying something.

PixiesMama · Post by **PixiesMama** » 08 Dec 2015, 22:46

RussB wrote:Get the codes read and post them here. Most auto parts stores will do it for free. More facts, less guessing

This is our plan in the a.m. Should have done it before. Thanks.

PixiesMama · Post by **PixiesMama** » 08 Dec 2015, 22:55

Ozark Lee wrote:Random episodes where the entire cluster lights up like a Christmas tree is often due to a bad electrical portion of the ignition switch. In Volvo terms it is a relatively inexpensive part and it is very easy to change. The next time it acts up like that jiggle the keys and see if things change.

...Lee

Thanks Lee. Our car is powered by a key fob, and the only original key is beneath the steering wheel. So this actually makes sense - as long as it does to you. Is it possible that the wiring for the fob/"auto start" is causing this?

PixiesMama · Post by **PixiesMama** » 08 Dec 2015, 23:06

My concern is that what appears to be an electrical problem sometimes manifests into a mechanical problem.

Or is the mechanical causing the electrical?

Does this all have to do with the stupid key fob?!?!