2000 S70 flashing up-arrow and CEL

Sagedavis · Post by **Sagedavis** » 14 Jan 2008, 16:59

Hello--I would appreciate any expert help.

2000 S70 (standard, non-turbo)
117K miles

I had Check engine light come on with flashing up arrow; however ABS light never came on (comes on briefly at startup only). Volvo mechanic said I needed a new ABS brain, said car was starting off in 2nd gear. Codes he gave me are:

TCM 001F Vehicle speed sensor signal missing
TCM 0020 Vehicle speed faulty signal
ECM 530D DTC in transmission control module

I was not willing to pay him $700 to replace ABS, so I paid the $86 for diagnosis and promptly replaced the ABS with a used one I bought online from salvage dealer. However, the CEL and flashing up-arrow stay on, cruise control does not work and the "W" button at foot of shifter does not seem to do anything when pressed. The ABS light seems to be functioning properly, and it seems to be going through all of the gears and runs great.

Today I stopped by Autozone for a generic code read:

P0722 (ODBII- no voltage signal from output speed sensor)
P1618 (ODBII- SBDS interactive codes???)

Do I just need to buy a code reader and erase/reset the codes?

Or do I have another problem?

Thanks for any advice...
Cheers, Jim

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 14 Jan 2008, 17:51

I assume your speedometer is working OK. Chances are you have a PNP switch on its way out.

"Row" the shifter back and forth from first gear to park, fairly quickly, a couple of dozen times. This works best if you have a heated garage. Another clue that you have a PNP problem is that your reverse lights usually quit working.

My son's 850 had a similar problem a couple of weeks ago and it would not return to a normal state until I reset the code. I just have an el-cheapo Harbor Freight scan tool but as soon as I hit reset the transmission worked fine and the problem has not (yet) returned.

This procedure does little more than buy time. If it works, a new PNP switch is in your future.

...Lee

Post by **JRL** » 14 Jan 2008, 17:52

You may or may not have had an ABS issue but a flashing arrow is your TRANSMISSION, nothing to do with the ABS.
You may need a shift solonoid or worse.
Check the trans fluid first
Change the fluid 2nd.
Have all (tranny) software upgrades done and see what happens

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 14 Jan 2008, 18:53

Do all that Lee said AND what JRL said to do.

waynej · Post by **waynej** » 14 Jan 2008, 22:49

Not sure if the S70 PNP switch is similar to the 850 or not, but if it is you don't need to buy a new one. The switch is packed full of grease which gets hard with time and heat. The hardened grease prevents the contacts from touching. It is easy to take it apart and remove all the hard grease, clean the contacts and put in a little synthetic grease and you're good for another 100k miles. Just be careful not to lose the little springs behind the contacts.

If you do the rowing trick as a temporary fix, be sure to have the key off when you do it. Don't get in the habit of doing it often or you'll wear out the switch contacts.

Sagedavis · Post by **Sagedavis** » 15 Jan 2008, 04:27

Ok, thanks for all of the advice.

First, I'll check the tranny fluid and have changed if necessary. Then I'll attempt to clean PNP.

btw, at the risk of sounding too much like a newbee, I'm ashamed to admitt I can't seem to locate the S70 transmission dipstick--anyone have any tips?

Post by **JRL** » 15 Jan 2008, 06:23

Sagedavis wrote: I'm ashamed to admitt I can't seem to locate the S70 transmission dipstick--anyone have any tips?

Don't be.
Remove or push aside the plastic air intake ( from above the grill to the airbox/MAF) it's under there.
I didn't mention the PNP switch as it's not as common a failure on his car.
He has a 5 speed, not a 4 speed

Sagedavis · Post by **Sagedavis** » 21 Feb 2008, 11:08

Just to close the loop, thanks everyone for tips/advice.

I think my car is in better shape now with recent transmission flush and rebuilt ABS module. It seems that I had a bad VSS (vehicle speed sensor) that was causing the flashing up arrow and CEL. Had it replaced, cleared codes and everything fine now.

Chili58 · Post by **Chili58** » 27 Jul 2023, 15:29

Oxidation issue at TCM and ECM boxes or/and the adjacent cable connection leaving from the box. Contact cleaner helps.

Post by **scot850** » 27 Jul 2023, 23:11

Had this very problem with my previous 2000 V70 NA. Dealer removed and re-seated the TCU and ECU which cleared the upward flashing orange arrow of death and a few others. The remainder were fixed with an ABS module from Mid-West ABS.

Neil.