FrankenVolvo - What Modules Give a Volvo its Identity?

BobM · Post by **BobM** » 18 Aug 2019, 07:49

I have an immaculate 2004 XC70 with a dead CEM
I also have a 2003 V70 with ruined engine.... my sons car, lack of oil... dont get me going!.... Running fine until the moment it seized!
I am thinking of doing a brain transplant to take V70 CEM, ECM, DIM and Ignition Switch & Key, and transplant into the XC70. I understand that this, if successful, would create a V70 in XC70 clothing, i.e no 4WD, the mileage would be V70 mileage, VIN in CEM would not match VIN in bodywork...etc, but I am willing to live with these quirks.
Looking for thoughts on this project before I dive in.
Questions:
1. Are there any other modules that are associated with the 'identity of the car' that should be transferred? Is the TCM tied to the ECM/CEM
2. I believe most of the other modules in the car are 'dumb' in that they are addressed on the CAN Bus, but have no 'identity' related to the particular vehicle.... Is this supposition correct?
3. Is there any fundamental flaw in the basis for this experiment?

Looking forward to hearing from the Experts on this

BobM

BobM · Post by **BobM** » 18 Aug 2019, 07:59

Maybe there is another question
4. What modules need to have matching software for them to inter-operate?

I am fortunate that I do have a complete set of working modules on the seized V70, and so if needed I could change more, or possibly all of them.

BobM

Post by **vtl** » 18 Aug 2019, 08:31

CEM from another car means another VIN - what you are going to do with that?

Otherwise, it's CEM, ECM, TCM, UEM and, maybe, BCM.

Did you try Xemodex? They may succeed in cloning your broken CEM...

Post by **vtl** » 18 Aug 2019, 08:33

"Dumb" modules have their CAN bus specific identifiers and requests coding, different P/N may (might) have a different scheme.

BobM · Post by **BobM** » 18 Aug 2019, 09:07

vtl wrote: ↑18 Aug 2019, 08:31 CEM from another car means another VIN - what you are going to do with that?

Otherwise, it's CEM, ECM, TCM, UEM and, maybe, BCM.

Did you try Xemodex? They may succeed in cloning your broken CEM...

I dont think the CEM and Bodywork VINs need to match for emissions/inspection/registration.... Bodywork one is the important one

The Xemodex solution is at least $700 option... I forgot to mention that I am genetically 'Frugal', so a $0 option is always the way I prefer to go.... plus, its more interesting.

Post by **vtl** » 18 Aug 2019, 10:42

Inspection will read out another VIN. End of inspection.

Post by **abscate** » 18 Aug 2019, 12:17

Is the 2003 V70 also a turbo with the same engine management software as the 2004?

If not, you will be cloning the ECM regardless, once you clone on module, you are all in.

This sounds like a case where time/money swap does not apply - i.e., short of learning how to clone these things and buying that hardware, you are going to spend 500-700 to get this to work. If you don't value labor time, then an engine swap is the other way to go - about 40 hours all in.

Henry (user doublebug or yagger) here could clone your modules for less and is well-regarded and very reasonable in price.

BobM · Post by **BobM** » 19 Aug 2019, 15:13

abscate wrote: ↑18 Aug 2019, 12:17 Is the 2003 V70 also a turbo with the same engine management software as the 2004?

If not, you will be cloning the ECM regardless, once you clone on module, you are all in.

This sounds like a case where time/money swap does not apply - i.e., short of learning how to clone these things and buying that hardware, you are going to spend 500-700 to get this to work. If you don't value labor time, then an engine swap is the other way to go - about 40 hours all in.

Henry (user doublebug or yagger) here could clone your modules for less and is well-regarded and very reasonable in price.

V70 is non turbo, 2WD.

Thanks everyone for your feedback. This electroniocs swap may be a difficult path to complete through Emmission/Inspection

So, Maybe I think about making the best of these two volvos by swapping the 2004 XC70 motor and transmission into the 2003 V70 and leave all the working electronics in the V70?

If I dropped and swapped the front subframe from the XC70 to the V70 chassis this could be a straight forward swap. I would plan to leave the XC70 engine and transmission intact for the swap, obviously with no rearward driveshaft. Also, leave the V70 exhaust manifold in place so no turbo bits and pieces.

Would the 4WD transmission 'look' the same as the 2WD transmission to the TCM in the V70? Apart from the front 4WD differential assebbly providing the rearward drive shaft, I understand that all the 4WD control is done on the rear Haldex, which obviously will not be there on the V70....

Feedback and suggestions appreciated.

BobM

Post by **vtl** » 19 Aug 2019, 15:23

All XC70 P2 ever had in US is turbo engines, 2.4T or 2.5T. 2004 is 2.5T. Not gonna work with V70 ECM unless it was using same engine as well.

BobM · Post by **BobM** » 19 Aug 2019, 15:38

vtl wrote: ↑19 Aug 2019, 15:23 All XC70 P2 ever had in US is turbo engines, 2.4T or 2.5T. 2004 is 2.5T. Not gonna work with V70 ECM unless it was using same engine as well.

Well, looks like I am going to have to think again on this FrankenVolvo idea!.

Maybe go back to my original idea to strip tires, rotors, driveshafts, and other stuff off both V70 and XC70 and get $300 scrap for the pair of them>