Just purchased my first XC90, a few issues I have questions on.

designatedmedia · Post by **designatedmedia** » 01 Mar 2022, 11:57

Hello! I made possibly the worst decision and purchased a used car in today's market lol. Paid way too much but since my wife is having a baby we needed it. I got a 2010 XC90 3.2 FWD with about 114k. I knew there were a few issues with it but I’m wanting to figure out how to best go about things.

- Transmission shift flare: there’s a noticeable flare from first to second gear. It revs up maybe 3-500 rpm above before shifting but it doesn’t seem to have any hard shifts on the way down in any gear. Just wondering how to proceed with this, I am not sure if updating the transmission software will help, not how much dealers cost to do that. If someone can send me a link to a prescribed flush method too I’m wanting to do that as well. any additional info is much appreciated.

- Fan control knob/squirrel cage issues: Something is wrong with the knob, as you select different fan speeds it will go haywire and randomly choose speeds as you turn it. I'm not sure if there's a way to use contact cleaner as a band-aid for a while or if I need to purchase a whole new climate control panel. In addition, the squirrel cage is constantly squeaking as you hit bumps and drive over rough roads. Would doing a partial teardown of the glove box for lubrication work for very long or am I better off just replacing it and the resistor?

- Sunroof shade is wonky: Sunroof shade won't pull back smoothly, feels like there are some broke components in there or it's off track. Does anyone have a guide of how to diagnose and replace parts?

- FOBs: Car only came with one key/fob. Dealer wants about 400 for another. I've read up about possibly being able to purchase a generic DICE off ebay and then paying for vida but I haven't been able to find a post with all the information on that process. For my other cars I usually purchase a specific computer (Nanocom Evolution for my Land Rover for instance) they usually run about the cost of the dealer making one key so usually they are worth it but Volvo's system seems really complicated with having to purchase software downloads so I don't even know where to start. Any info would be super helpful as I'd love to have a unit that would allow me to program keys, possibly even update the tranny software, run internal diagnostics, etc.

Here's a link to the carfax history if that's even remotely helpful too:

https://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistory/a ... cxirbCTCRY

chitownV · Post by **chitownV** » 01 Mar 2022, 23:14

Looks like people are helping you here: https://www.swedespeed.com/threads/just ... st-7916488

Post by **abscate** » 05 Mar 2022, 02:23

If you don’t want to go through the whole Vida DICE THING, user Yagger here can program in keys and fobs over internet, too

Interesting note on swedespeed, vdash can be used to re serialise a DICE clone to work with a VIDA subscription

Post by **shiloh51933** » 03 Apr 2022, 12:57

designatedmedia wrote: ↑01 Mar 2022, 11:57

- Transmission shift flare: there’s a noticeable flare from first to second gear. It revs up maybe 3-500 rpm above before shifting but it doesn’t seem to have any hard shifts on the way down in any gear. Just wondering how to proceed with this, I am not sure if updating the transmission software will help, not how much dealers cost to do that. If someone can send me a link to a prescribed flush method too I’m wanting to do that as well. any additional info is much appreciated.

I
- Fan control knob/squirrel cage issues: Something is wrong with the knob, as you select different fan speeds it will go haywire and randomly choose speeds as you turn it. I'm not sure if there's a way to use contact cleaner as a band-aid for a while or if I need to purchase a whole new climate control panel. In addition, the squirrel cage is constantly squeaking as you hit bumps and drive over rough roads. Would doing a partial teardown of the glove box for lubrication work for very long or am I better off just replacing it and the resistor?

https://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistory/a ... cxirbCTCRY

Most of the digital HVAC fan speed knobs fail, I'd just swap in a good used assembly
The actually blower motor is usually on the way out when it starts to squeak.
-
wouldn't personally do a true ATF flush on any used vehicle, even if I had service documents. Drain/fills is what I would do first, regardless of apparent issues with the A/T. Are you sure it's a shift flare and not an issue with the engine?

Post by **SuperHerman** » 05 Apr 2022, 19:54

The blower motor can be removed, cleaned and regreased if it is still working. If you do it early enough the motor will survive a very long time. If you wait, it will start burning itself and associated parts up. Once it seizes the unit is pretty much dead as the windings burn up. A very determined person could rewind the motor, but parts are readily available. On my first Volvo with fan noise, I bought an aftermarket fan and replaced. Out of boredom I tore the fan down and regreased. On Volvo two I used the first fan and rebuilt #2 fan which ultimately ended up on Volvo three.

Recently I was lazy on an Audi, pulled the fan and used a thin oil and a pick to work the crusty grease down and into a more fluid state. So far this is working fine.