01' S60 No Electrical (except radio) (Drove it, replaced a part, now nothing!)

Post by **zacharyzoosh** » 16 Apr 2016, 11:23

I bought a project 2001 S60 with 170k.
History, It needed a heater core, and blower motor wasn't working. When I bought it, I put in a battery, and I drove it home.
I replaced the blower motor and resistor. But when I went to reconnect battery, and test it out, there was no power to anything beside dome lights and then as soon as I turn the key, the dome lights shut off. The radio is on dim, and then after 10 seconds or so, brightens up and starts working.
There is no power to anything else except the power seat. If I turn the key to try to start the car, I can hear a click in the engine bay, but nothing else. I know the battery is charged. The dash lights don't come on at all. No lights on the climate control. No windows, no locks, no keyless entry functions, no trunk lights, no dome lights as soon as I click the key on.

Is there some security function that shuts down everything besides the radio? It doesn't make any sense, especially since all I did was remove the heater blower motor and resistor, and glove box lights, and then plug them back in again.

Has anyone seen this issue? I see a lot of Volvo electric posts on these forums, but I didn't see any like mine.
Like I wrote above, the whole car was driving and all lights working. The only thing that wasn't working before was the blower motor and rear door locks (which I figured were actuators?)

Please respond freely. Thank you!

1337 · Post by **1337** » 16 Apr 2016, 12:24

I had this happen on my '98 V70. I'm still not exactly why it happened, but here is the best I can describe:

1. Found that fuse for cigarette lighter is bad
2. Accidentally replaced fuse with 20A instead of 15A
3. Similar symptoms as you... radio worked, but engine wouldn't turn over.
4. Put correct fuse in, it started right up

Check your fusebox?

Post by **zacharyzoosh** » 16 Apr 2016, 13:39

I checked fuses. I haven't found any busted or blown. But my engine doesn't turn. Nor try. No dash lights. The dime lights come on normally when connecting battery then go off as soon as key is inserted. It's like everything is disabled. But I didn't change anything fundamentally. Makes no sense.
I was hoping someone would point me to a security reset or something.
I am familiar with Volvo to a degree. Like the fact that if the radio is unplugged, you can't start your car; odd integrated wiring.
But I haven't fundamentally changed anything. And u had battery disconnected before relaxing parts.
Any other ideas?

Post by **abscate** » 17 Apr 2016, 05:09

There is a pretty sophisticated communication system on your 2001 that controls all the electronics.

No dash on a 2001 with a fresh battery means either the ignition switch is dead, or you have CANBUS problems. CANBUS problems can be intermittent , and might be why someone dumped the car.

You need VIDA to sort out the latter, the first is a quick fix

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 17 Apr 2016, 09:13

Try: disconnect the battery- wait 10 mins. Put key to position 2 and reconnect the battery. Should clear stuff that may be off- hopefully!

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 17 Apr 2016, 09:14

Could be too that your key tumbler is starting to do- wiggle your key in position 2 and see if there is any difference with the electronics.

chrisb315526 · Post by **chrisb315526** » 02 Nov 2019, 17:37

zacharyzoosh wrote: ↑16 Apr 2016, 11:23 I bought a project 2001 S60 with 170k.
History, It needed a heater core, and blower motor wasn't working. When I bought it, I put in a battery, and I drove it home.
I replaced the blower motor and resistor. But when I went to reconnect battery, and test it out, there was no power to anything beside dome lights and then as soon as I turn the key, the dome lights shut off. The radio is on dim, and then after 10 seconds or so, brightens up and starts working.
There is no power to anything else except the power seat. If I turn the key to try to start the car, I can hear a click in the engine bay, but nothing else. I know the battery is charged. The dash lights don't come on at all. No lights on the climate control. No windows, no locks, no keyless entry functions, no trunk lights, no dome lights as soon as I click the key on.

Is there some security function that shuts down everything besides the radio? It doesn't make any sense, especially since all I did was remove the heater blower motor and resistor, and glove box lights, and then plug them back in again.

Has anyone seen this issue? I see a lot of Volvo electric posts on these forums, but I didn't see any like mine.
Like I wrote above, the whole car was driving and all lights working. The only thing that wasn't working before was the blower motor and rear door locks (which I figured were actuators?)

Please respond freely. Thank you!

did you ever figure it out? i have same issue