'06 (auto?) locking conundrum

[mrbrian200]

'06 S60:

Seems to have some auto lock software installed but didn't discover this until I got the drivers door lock cylinder working (found a bit of hard plastic jammed down in when I took the lock cylinder apart). Lock works properly with the key now but I notice some funky behavior that seems to enable/disable an auto lock function when the doors are shut. When locking with the key with doors closed it will lock all doors. When I unlock it with the key the will flip back down (lock) quickly then up again (unlocked). If I play with it I seem to be enabling/disabling some sort of auto lock feature (that will lock the car when the last door is shut all the time, or not do anything/disabled) but for the life of me I can't seem to figure out exactly how enable/disable is supposed to work so that I get what I want when I want it.

[abscate]

It probably is still not fixed quite right. If any one door is detected ajar the car will lock and then unlock itself.

Check all the doors and trunk for smooth actuation

[mrbrian200]

In case you're wandering, that's what I found jammed down into the lock cylinder. Couldn't push the key all the way in. I was expecting it to be a problem with the weather flap but that was ok. Foreign bit of hard plastic (and a #2 phillips for reference)

[mrbrian200]

Jogging my memory when I first got the VIDA 6 months ago there was a DTC set on the DDM. Cleared it, DTC hasn't returned. That doesn't mean there isn't a problem. Thx the behavior seemed weirdly intentional you're right something is amiss I'll delve deeper.

[mrbrian200]

DDM not always "seeing" the switch contact in the door lock module for the unlocked position. I've also never been able to get the window mechanism to calibrate for auto up to work (hadn't mentioned this, considered it non essential since it works fine manually). TSB on this Volvo dealers replace the door harness with one that uses gold plated terminals. But the problem isn't likely the terminal/pin connection (both are tin plated). It's most likely another case of copper wire to tin galvanic/oxidation at the wire crimp. The soldering iron is getting a real workout on this car I will say. I've seen more problems in this area than I've ever before on any single previous vehicle. Either the copper wire used has impurities or the metallurgy (terminals) is incorrect for use with copper.

[mrbrian200]

These sorts of electrical concerns weren't such a big problem with the older Volvos (pre-FMC), were they. (?) Door module harness problems are noted from around 2004- Thinking they switched suppliers for electrical wiring/parts. Ford is all about beancounting/cheap you know. Even though they didn't make huge changes to the P2s during this period this is the sort of thing Ford would have meddled with (same basic parts, made with the cheapest crap they could get their hands on). One of the reasons I would never consider a Lincoln, even though they are very 'nice'. Friend owns a MKX, but isn't mechanically inclined. It's an '08 or '09 he's been throwing around $3-4k/year at that thing lately. But with the MKX it's not just electrical problems -> major mechanical failures that render the thing undriveable with expensive repairs/parts once-twice a year. That MKX is not 'neglected' either, by any means.

[mrbrian200]

Oh Oh OH! The great 'copper panic' (and steel) around those years '05-'08 as demand/prices spiked while the Chinese were constructing that monster dam (Three Gorges). I'll go with impurities in the copper wire (likely an alloy instead of pure copper to keep costs down). I remember that time the family cleaned out/sold scrap and old farm implements littering gramp's barnyard. Steel prices shot through the roof (as well as Copper and other non-ferrous), then prices crashed in '08, which notably is also the end date for problem vehicles listed on the TSB.

Auto industry weren't the only ones affected. In Illinois they had to rip/redo several stretches of expressway due to bad rebar that was used during this time. The Chinese were buying up/using all the high grade stuff during this period, and state inspectors didn't catch problems with substandard quality steel until -after- it had been installed in the roadway.

[mrbrian200]

Ah ha. For electrical work copper alloys can be used but need to be tinned wire or soldered connections otherwise galvanic oxidation/corrosion will occur. So I was on the right track with my soldering campaign. Now I'm (fairly certain) I know why. So pretty much any vehicle from this era (approximately mid 2004 to late 2008 early 2009) is likely to experience any multitude of electrical problems, unless every harness/circuit connection throughout the entire vehicle is 'reworked'. And it's probably industry wide (not just Volvo) as it would be safe to assume that everyone adopted the change, at least temporarily, during that period.

...Another friend got rid of an '07 Focus over a multitude of frustrating electrical issues that were cropping up (and recurring/bad EGR and upper engine mount designs) - he got fed up with the car and traded it for a new Honda last year (with the classic 'never Ford ever again' rumbling). I helped him a few times with that one while he still owned it - that car was a mess at 60k.