2006 XC70 Antenna ring replacement

[scot850]

We have had a couple of instances recently in warm temps (>30C) when a family member has driven the car (06 XC70), switched it off, and when gone back to start the engine won't turn over. The latest time I went out to rescue my son from a supermarket parking lot. Opened the car with a remote, tried to start the car but came up with a message "Start Prevented - Try again". Trying again doesn't work.

I got out and opened and closed the door locks using the regular key a couple of times, get back in and the car starts right up and continues to do so since.

I've read a few threads on the subject, in particular the ever helpful jimmy57. He says it is often poor connections or dirty connections in the antenna ring connector.

The part isn't horribly expensive (about $46 US from Tasca), but I'd like to try the cleaning first. I've looked up on the seldom helpful Vida I have and can't find anything about how to do this. Does anyone know how to remove the steering column casing to access the antennas ring? Is this a job where you should remove the battery connections first or is it same to unplug and clean in place without removing the battery?

As always, help is always appreciated!

Neil.

[abscate]

Any electrical work means disconnecting battery negative. You have live 12V wires in the column and you want them dead while working. Look up the cost of a new wiring loom to convince yourself it's a good idea.

[vtl]

Agree with abscate on his general statement (remove the "-" before touching any electronics), but antenna ring module in my experience survived -30V instead of +12V, when I didn't look at the settings of my lab power supply. Also the module takes only a few milliamps, so unlikely it can be fried by unplugging with the battery connected.

What can fry it is static electricity, so make sure you don't touch the circuit board without touching grounded metal first.

Antenna itself sits in a plastic ring, which is usually a target for the key when it is inserted blindly. I would also reflow solder in two big joints, because it may crack and cause intermittent signal.

[vtl]

There are two or three torx bolts hidden in the belly of steering column, which itself consists of two halves: upper and lower. Everything else, including antenna module, is attached with plastic clips.

[scot850]

Antenna ring stopped causing issues after I bought a new one. Never fitted it. Only issue was caused when outside temp was 30C and the car was left outside for a while.

Once temperatures dropped, the issue went away for a long time, but just started again in the last few days when the temp has been regularly below 0C.

Plan to do the swap tomorrow. Found how to do this on Vida after some difficulty. Interestingly, there is no mention of disconnecting the battery in the instructions. I will follow the standard safe practice and disconnect the battery.

Thanks for the input and guidance.

Neil.

[scot850]

Replaced the antenna ring today. Took longer to remove the negative battery terminal than swapping the antenna ring out (well almost!).

Played safe, and disconnected the negative (-ve) battery terminal, mainly as the antenna ring is 'live' due to the illuminated ring around the key area. 10mm wrench is needed.

One IMPORTANT note is that in the owners manual, Volvo states you should always allow at least 10 minutes before removing the battery cables to allow the vehicle to store any operating information, if the car has been run recently.

Other than that it was a case of:

1) Pulling the steering column out to the highest and furthest out position.

2) Removing the 3 Torx (T25?) screws from the underside of the column cover

3) Carefully prising the upper portion of the cover up to separate the halves. There are crescent shaped clips that are part of the upper section that can easily be broken (anyone own a P80!!). I actually only needed to push up on the upper part and it came loose. Lift it up and tilt it forward.

4) Carefully bend the RH side of the lower cover outward to allow it to clear the antenna ring and it should then slide down and out to remove it.

5) Disconnect the cable to the rear of the antenna ring by depressing the push tab on the RH side.

6) Push in the tab on the front edge of the antenna ring to unlock it from the metal tab, and slide the ring off.

7) Slide the new ring on making sure the front tab snaps in, re-connect the cable.

The rest is then the reverse of disassembly. One point worth watching for is take your time re-fitting the lower half of the column cover making sure it slips around the antenna ring and slides up into the 2 column stalk rubber surrounds. Same with the upper section.

9) Refit the 3 screws and tighten (remember it is plastic and can be brittle).

10) Reconnect the -ve battery cable. There may be a slight spark as I couldn't find a way to switch off the light in the rear trunk roof area.

Finally, Volvo in the handbook, advise opening and closing the door locks with the fob after the battery is replaced/reconnected.

Reset the clock (twisting the RH button/stalk by the clock (watch for AM/PM)

There is NO radio Code to worry about in our 06 XC70, and none if I am advised correctly in P2 models.

Start the car and make sure all is good.

Neil.

[cn90]

My 2006 S60 runs fine, no issues.

Just noticed a small piece of the plastic missing, please see photo.
I also includes a photo of a new antenna ring so you can see what is missing.

Anything to be concerned about this small piece missing?

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Volvo-Antenna-Ring.jpg (59.97 KiB) Viewed 988 times

[vtl]

My 2006 S60 runs fine, no issues.

Just noticed a small piece of the plastic missing, please see photo.
I also includes a photo of a new antenna ring so you can see what is missing.

Anything to be concerned about this small piece missing?

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Volvo-Antenna-Ring.jpg

Oh no! Looks like your car is terribly broken and you need a new one!

[abscate]

Little bit of cosmetic plastic. No worry.

[Blacklab467]

You've lost 16% or your key backlighting functionality.