Looking at a 2001T5 wagon

azureblue · Post by **azureblue** » 13 Nov 2016, 21:18

2001, beautiful shape BUT... Somehow the owner fried the ECM. From what I have read, it has to be programmed for the car specifically, then synced to the car. I got quotes from Volvo of $100 and $200 respectively. The present owner pulled the ECM (under the dashboard?) and attempted to replace it with one from a donor car, and it is included with the sale. It is for sale very cheap and is in great condition, even to the P6s. Red with Tan... Seriously Red....

But I know nothing of the car's history, timing belt, mileage, PCV work, oil changes, Transmission condition (because the hood release would not open the hood)

I found a place that says they will program to the VIN (which I have). (BTW, can anyone do a carfax for me?)

I have done my fair amount of work on my Volvos, but this ECM stuff is new to me, especially with the security features. Car electrical work is something I kind of like doing, and I'm good with computers. But I don't want to get in over my head here, so I am asking advice here. Thanks in advance....

azureblue · Post by **azureblue** » 14 Nov 2016, 03:19

correction - my bad - it is the CEM that went bad. I think it happened because the battery was drained all the way down. So this leads to another question - can the CEM be cloned from the original?

Post by **precopster** » 14 Nov 2016, 05:48

Maybe......with some luck

. The immobilser codes that match with the keyfob are contained in the original CEM.
Get yourself a Dice and contact "Doublebug" He can help

azureblue · Post by **azureblue** » 14 Nov 2016, 07:39

comprehende "dice"?

Post by **abscate** » 14 Nov 2016, 07:57

You need the Volvo program and double bug to program these modules.

The sellers stories aren't quite ringing true frankly. They suggest some one got way over their head with this car messing with the modules and now they want to get rid of it.

Lurking under that hood you can't open is another $2000 of potential repairs you can't evaluate.

The 2001 transmission has its own special snowflake section , too

Post by **jonesg** » 14 Nov 2016, 08:03

I would not bother, I need daily drivers in my cars, not projects with unknown booby traps.
But it would be a good buy for some people, just not me.
If you have a second vehicle then it might be an interesting project.

Post by **jonesg** » 14 Nov 2016, 08:03

I would not bother, I need daily drivers in my cars, not projects with unknown booby traps.
But it would be a good buy for some people, just not me.
If you have a second vehicle then it might be an interesting project.

azureblue · Post by **azureblue** » 14 Nov 2016, 08:21

I do have a second, but it has a bad rear main seal.. But the price is very tempting....

Post by **abscate** » 14 Nov 2016, 08:26

The price should be under the cost of the quoted Volvo programming and ask them to fill the tank too.

azureblue · Post by **azureblue** » 14 Nov 2016, 09:28

like half..

With new P6s, yet. By sheer luck, I found the mechanic who knows the car, pre breakdown, and he vouches for it and the seller. He did work and drove it before it got messed up... At 178K miles, no idea of the timing belt replace mileage, though.

vs a 1998 XC with 154K, only synthetic oil, driveshaft removed due to bad center support bearing, needing some A/C work, priced around $1800. In black, but a Ohio car....