Inherited 2002 V70 X/c. Failed turn signal switch, battery drain Topic is solved

Post by **Mike Langlois** » 13 Nov 2018, 22:26

I just inherited a Nice 2002 V70 X/C and now that I own it, Details matter! I've maintained this car for 3 years and done just about everything from brakes, front end and resealing the motor- get that cam locking tool before you take it apart!!! I noted that there is a battery removal process and am thinking I should read the owners manual before I find out any more surprises. Are owners manuals available on line? Can some one clue me in on VIDA? I am a seasoned mechanic and can scan most cars; VIDA is new to me.

Two things happened that I would appreciate any advise on:
1. The steering wheel was pushed/hit while the car was at rest and the Steering Column partially collapsed. It was pulled back into position and seems to work fine. The Turn signal switch was damaged and is being replaced. Should I be worried about the collapse? Is there anything I should check in the steering column?
2. The car is draining the battery and the high beams seem to come on randomly; I have not checked this out yet (I get to adjust the VVT hub on the exhaust cam next...). If the replacement of the turn signal switch does not solve this, does anyone have any suggestions where to start. This is my third Volvo and I know they like to do things different (like VVT hubs!), feel free to clue me in on any odd electrical issues the V70 will throw at me.

Post by **abscate** » 14 Nov 2018, 05:32

Hello Mike. Flying out your way today !

The 2002 is the early P2 chassis , fixing that turn signal indicator may well also fix that high beam issue. In contrast to the earlier models, the switches send control signals to the modules which actually switch on thelights, etc.

Can't help you on the steering wheel, not sure I understand what a collapse is?

Volvo puts all their manuals online for free...search " Volvo manuals online"

VIDA. Is volvos service software, most buy the cloned lite version for $100 ( software plus DICE interface box) , the full up version that the dealer uses is expensive , like$3000.

Post by **jimmy57** » 14 Nov 2018, 07:53

Yes' please explain the steering column. It is tilt and telescoping via the lever on left bottom side of steering column cover. flip back end of lever down to floor and move vertical to position and pull in/out to desired placement and flip lever back up

Post by **Mike Langlois** » 14 Nov 2018, 09:21

It is a Tilting version with the lever on the side. Owner brought me the car and indicated that he had 'Slammed' the Steering Wheel (in a moment of frustration!) and the Steering column moved in or collapsed. He pulled it back out and everything seemed all right. Then I noticed the turn signal switch and trim was damaged and the car started having issues with the high beams turning on randomly; the battery also started to drain completely. I did not see this happen, I only received an explanation. If the steering column telescopes, in addition to tilting, he may have just pushed it all the way down. I still have to read the owners manual. This was the end of ownership; I took the car because he owed me too much $$ for parts/labor on previous repairs. It belonged to my son and I have maintained this V70 X/C in perfect condition for 3 years. He is the type of person who brings me a turbocharged car that needs 5L of oil (and I think this car only holds 6L). I got him a down payment on a KIA Soul; some people are not cut out to appreciate the beautiful piece of machinery that Volvo makes or the attention that they require. My third Volvo: A 164 that died on the off road rally circuit and a 240 before the V70 X/C.

Post by **abscate** » 14 Nov 2018, 13:33

II sounds like a headlight/ turn signal switch should get you going.

PnP is where I would go, maybe up in LA somewhere.

EngineeringBloke · Post by **EngineeringBloke** » 14 Nov 2018, 19:28

The manual:
http://new.volvocars.com/ownersdocs/200 ... v70_00.htm

and the steering telescope adjustment - referred to as 'reach'
http://new.volvocars.com/ownersdocs/200 ... b.htm#pg35

So adjust the lever down to free the steering wheel, and up to lock it. As the previous owner was able to move it, perhaps it was in the unlocked position. I would not have expected it to move when locked. If you find that with the lever in the up position that you can move the steering wheel in or out, then I would have the mechanism inspected and repaired as a safety issue.

EngineeringBloke · Post by **EngineeringBloke** » 14 Nov 2018, 21:32

You might also want to check the battery voltage (it should be about 12 and a half volts) and have it load tested. Charge it up, and then see if it continues to drop charge.

I would not expect a problem in the turn switch to drain the battery after the key is removed. There are some circuits that run after key removal - remote key fob signal detection, engine fan (for only a short time), alarm, and the like, but unless the lights are coming on with the key out, it seems to be a separate issue.

A clamping amp meter is very useful to see the current flow out of the battery. It measures current flow via the magnetic field in the wire and does not require disconnecting the battery. However, they tend to be more expensive than your typical volt ohm meter. I see Walmart and Home Depot have such meters.

If you do use a volt ohm meter in current (amp) setting - be sure revert it to volts after you are done with the amp measure. Take it out of the circuit, turn it to volts or to off and switch the leads back to the volts sockets. In amp mode, it acts like a short and can be dangerous to the circuits if use as if to measure volts but in current mode. If it can measure 20 amps, and you put it across the battery terminals as if to measure the voltage then you can allow 20 amps through the meter until it burns up!

There are many battery drain detection videos on YouTube that help you with the approach.

Note the trunk lights will come on if you are checking the battery there and will take some power.

Post by **Mike Langlois** » 25 Nov 2018, 00:25

FYI turn signal switch replacement solved the issue.

Post by **oragex** » 25 Nov 2018, 03:59

Did this fix the high beams issue as well ?

Post by **Mike Langlois** » 25 Nov 2018, 04:08

Yes, high beams were randomly turning on. Switch was obviously broken and should have been the first thing I checked.