2005 XC90 Gauge Cluster Blacking out, Engine Dies

[soundquest]

Can a bad CEM cause the gauge cluster to black out (everything except for the clock) in addition to causing the engine to die (car starts back up most of the time, sometimes you have to wait; it acts up more in the rain)? Trying to rule out the DIM (gauge cluster) as being one of the causative culprits for these intermittent "engine cut/die" random events. It was my understanding that the gauge cluster issues (DIM) were only an issue through the 2003 XC90. Is this incorrect? Also wondering (although this seems implausible) if anyone has had these symptoms fixed by simply replacing the ICM? I have read in at least one forum of a situation like this. Thanks in advance for your help.

[ggleavitt]

Were it me, I might contact Xemodex (https://xemodex.com/us/), see if you can get someone to walk through this. That the DIM goes completely dead except for the clock might suggest it's the DIM but these folks rebuild these modules for a living so might be able to assist in more granular troubleshooting (can also see https://xemodex.com/us/pdf/DIM%20CEM%20 ... eMODeX.pdf).

[soundquest]

Thank you for that; I am very familiar with them. And my other question is... would VIDA DICE be useful in detecting DIM errors?

[ggleavitt]

I suspect yes, but if the DIM is dead then the DIM is dead. Not sure what it'll reveal but can't use a more granular tool than this.

I had to replace a DIM on a 2003 S80 and used Xemodex to my satisfaction (cloned old). Agreed, not sure if this was a consistent problem after around 2003 but it was indeed a problem (got it to work by reflowing solder around a few chips, ended up with a few lines on the lower left info screen so tried to fix that with another re-flow and killed the DIM entirely in the end). In this particular case, engine ran fine, just a flickering clock then no gauges whatsoever.

Think the troubleshooting flow chart is probably worth your time, that the car dies intermittently is enough for me to wonder if it's maybe the CEM and/or something else.

But yes, Putting VIDA on ought to give you a very good idea as to which module (or modules) is unhappy.

[oragex]

I have never heard about the DIM causing no start/stall. And your 2005 shouldn't have DIM issues. You are prone to CEM water leak which is quite simple to check even without removing the CEM: use a flash light and check for water marks on the module or place some toilet paper around during a rainy day.

There was also a problem with a harness coming from the engine bay (it got a recall)
https://www.justanswer.com/volvo/5gbin- ... acing.html

DEM corrosion can also be a problem and this guy can cause non start condition and throw an anti-skid message
https://xemodex.com/us/product/differen ... 749-10-20/

As always, first check the part for corrosion/water marks before suspecting it or sending it for repair

May as well be a power problem, weak alternator or corroded/cracked power cables

Be careful bringing the car to Volvo with such condition

[ggleavitt]

'05 has the earlier plenum cover over the CEM, can see a post here http://forums.swedespeed.com/showthread ... new-design with the original TNN reference on subpost #11. Sure could be the CEM and as oragex notes, probably going to be pretty obvious if you get the driver side lower dash cover off and look in and up. Revised cover looks like this https://goo.gl/photos/esYt29Yxxh5acEvE7, have to put it on the '05 in the next couple of weeks (12 years later). Will be interesting to see what this problem ends up being.

[precopster]

Unplug the DEM and drive it around (rear Haldex control unit on the rear differential). You may get a code about no communication to Haldex however the dash should work fine once this is pulled out of circuit. Connector is easy to grab.

[precopster]

Unplug the DEM and drive it around (rear Haldex control unit on the rear differential). You may get a code about no communication to Haldex however the dash should work fine once this is pulled oitnof circuit. Connector is easy to grab.