Intermittent Power to 12V accessory sockets / cigarette lighters(08 S60)

[Krons]

Looking for initial diagnostic guidance from the P2 experts.

Last few months my 08 S60 will have power disappear to both the dash and rear seat 12V cigarette lighter sockets for several minutes then come back on. Fuses check ok. Several times I lost power on dash socket I’ve tried the rear seat one and it has no power either so suspect it is not wiring to the socket on the dash. Seems no other functions are impacted.

Thoughts?

[jonesg]

what did you have plugged in ?

[Krons]

I have a 12V splitter and Bluetooth FM Modulator. Other socket of the splitter is open, will occasionally run a Uniden radar detector on that to increase time efficiency on some longer road-trips. Nothing on the rear seat socket.

IMG_1868.jpeg (18.92 KiB) Viewed 804 times

I have removed the splitter when the power has went off, and other devices don’t work either. Little fuse in splitter looks good, so think it is ok. I also run the splitter as the FM modulator gets static running straight into the socket.

One other interesting symptom noticed last night. The led on the splitter has a faint bit of color when the power went off again—as if it was getting just a little power for the led, but not enough to power up devices. Like usual power came back on in about 2 minutes.

I don’t have VIDA, assuming the circuit is simple fused but is there a load sense in there somewhere that could be going wrong?

[jonesg]

i would venture to guess the socket power shares feed with other devises, circuits and sensors that take precedence.

[vtl]

Bad relay.

Expanding the answer. The book in the glove compartment says the 12-volt sockets fuse for front and rear seats is located directly on CEM. This leaves CEM the only place where the relay can be. All relays on L-shaped MY2005+ CEM are soldered and not replaceable per Volvo's dreams. You should rush to a dealer who will program and install your new $1600 CEM, totaling around $2k.

You can certainly do it yourself if you have basic soldering skills and can handle a multimeter to find out which relay to replace. I'd suggest to go ahead and replace all of them.

[Krons]

Bad relay.

Expanding the answer. The book in the glove compartment says the 12-volt sockets fuse for front and rear seats is located directly on CEM. This leaves CEM the only place where the relay can be. All relays on L-shaped MY2005+ CEM are soldered and not replaceable per Volvo's dreams. You should rush to a dealer who will program and install your new $1600 CEM, totaling around $2k.

You can certainly do it yourself if you have basic soldering skills and can handle a multimeter to find out which relay to replace. I'd suggest to go ahead and replace all of them.

Thanks VTL, wondered if it might be CEM related but hadn’t dug deep to research it yet.

If this is the case I’ll give thought to just wiring a new line of switched power to the socket with a separate relay—could be easier in the end?

[vtl]

If this is the case I’ll give thought to just wiring a new line of switched power to the socket with a separate relay—could be easier in the end?

I experienced a failure of one of two major relays in my CEM. It controls BCM (ABS) power and something else. The car dropping in limp mode and was barely driveable. If it happened in one of my overlanding trips far north in remote parts of Canada, I'd be screwed totally.

So my suggestion is to replace ALL of CEM relays with new ones. It would also be a good opportunity to inspect it for water intrusion and replace a rubber seal in CEM's box cover (under cowl).

[scot850]

On our 06 XC70. there are 2 fuses for the 12V plugs. They are in the fuse box under the LH dash panel and are a swine to get to. You have to remove the undertray to access them.

Appreciate it may be different on the 08 S60.

Only reason I found this out was my some had an FM transmitter that went poof internally. Replaced the one fuse and still nothing, then found there is a 2nd one. They are the mini-fuse type.

Neil.

[jonesg]

If this is the case I’ll give thought to just wiring a new line of switched power to the socket with a separate relay—could be easier in the end?

Be sure its fused, I did that when installing a backlit turbo gauge.
Its probably better to fix the source of the problem though.

[Krons]

Thanks all for the input.

Watched a few videos on pulling the CEM and see xeMoDex does offer a replacement if you want to send to them and avoid soldering.

Will ponder some more…whether to run a fused fuse tap to feed the connector directly or pull the CEM. May wait for better weather to do that job.