Volvo Term Glossary

Post by **matthew1** » 12 Feb 2009, 16:59

EDIT

It's here! Volvo Glossary

/EDIT

I've been meaning to start a glossary because we use many terms that are not apparent to non-forum regulars, and I want this place to be as "plain spoken" as possible.

Please add to this by replying to this thread. Every so often I'll grab all the new terms and alphabetize them into a nice list. Please use the same convention as I do:

term: definition

I'll start:

854: slang for a Volvo 850 sedan (4 doors)
855: slang for a Volvo 850 wagon (5 doors)
ATF: automatic transmission fluid
AWD: all-wheel drive
FCP: FCP Groton, a parts shop located in Connecticut, US
FWD: front-wheel drive
N/A: a normally-aspirated Volvo; a Volvo that does not have a turbo
RWD: rear-wheel drive
tranny, trans: transmission
VADIS: Volvo's own internal repair documentation
PCV: Postive Crankcase Ventilation...on our Volvo's it's a series of hoses connected from the accordion air intake hose all the way to the oil trap (also called the separator or breather box) under the intake manifold- when it get's clogged up, positive pressure builds up in the engine and can cause engine leaks.
Oil Trap: part of the Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) system which does, literally, trap oil that circulates through the PCV. It requires periodic cleaning or replacement to keep the PCV working properly.
MAF: mass airflow sensor

If you'd like to modify or expand existing definitions, please do! Just post the "updated" result.

Post by **VCA** » 12 Feb 2009, 18:41

An expansion:

4C - Continuously Controlled Chassis Concept (Volvo's active suspension system)
854: Model designation for a Volvo 850 sedan (4 doors)
855: Model designation for a Volvo 850 wagon (5 doors)
ATF: automatic transmission fluid
DiCE: Diagnostic Communication Equipment--the replacement for the VCT2000; a diagnostic connection box that connects VIDA to the car.
ECC: Electronic Climate Control
FCP: FCP Groton, a parts shop located in Connecticut, US
N/A: a normally/naturally-aspirated Volvo; a Volvo that does not have a turbo
MCC: Manual Climate Control
tranny, trans: transmission
VADIS: Volvo's own internal repair documentation (old system)
VIDA: Volvo repair documentation, diagnostics, and software downloads (new system)

And now, Volvo-specific module terms:
AUM - AUdio Module (the radio in post-'01 cars)
CAN bus - the Controller Area Network bus that Volvos use
CCM - Climate Control Module
CEM - Central Electronic Module
CRM - Convertible Roof Module
CVM - Closing Velocity Module
DDM/PDM - Driver/Passenger Door Module (window switch packs on front doors of post-'01 cars)
ECM - Engine Control Module
ETA - Electronic Throttle Actuator (the "new" Bosch-made throttle in most '02 and newer cars)
ETM - Electronic Throttle Module (the Magnetti Marelli throttle in '99-02 cars)
LIN bus - Local area INterconnect; a bus that ties low-speed communication together in newer Volvos (siren modules, some heated seat commands, etc.)
PSM - Power Seat Module
REM - Rear Electronic Module
SAS - Steering Angle Sensor
SRM - Sunroof control module
SUM - SUspension Module (found on P2 'R' models and cars with 4C)
SWM - Steering Wheel Module (connects steering wheel controls to CAN bus)
TCM - Transmission Control Module
UEM - Upper Electronic Module (it's inside the mirror in post-'01 cars except certain C70s)
VGLA - Volvo Guard Lock & Alarm (found on pre-'01 cars)

jaluhn · Post by **jaluhn** » 13 Feb 2009, 00:07

ECC - Electronic Climate Control (ie - completely automatic, used in most 850+ cars))
MCC - Manual Climate Control (old school - just the way it sounds, term typically used in 850's for the non automatic system, but also descriptive of the 240 / 740 / 940 systems)
ACC - Automatic Climate Control (early climate control system in late 80's / very early 90's 760 - has a big wheel for temperature setting and slide lever like a manual system)

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 13 Feb 2009, 00:18

Not necessarily Volvo specific but often used slang:

CEL - Check Engine Light - I also see it referred to as a MIL which I think is a Malfunction Indicator Light.

It is the same as the Lambda light on Canadian and European models.

...Lee

jaluhn · Post by **jaluhn** » 13 Feb 2009, 00:28

OBD - Onboard Diagnostic (System?) - Set of standard for self diagnostic features in the engine control system, primarily for emissions reasons, but useful for other diagnostics.

OBDII or OBD2 (not OBD11!!!) - Second generation OBD system, includes a standardized fault code table and 16 pin communications connector. Commonly used to refer to the code reader / codes stored by the diagnostic system and read with a universal scanner.

VIDA - Volvo vehicle information / communication software, the successor to VADIS.

VCT2000 - The actual interface cable / box used to let a computer running VADIS talk to a 99+ car. Typically used in the context of "I need a VCT system to check that" or "I wish I had one" Very expensive and hard to fine, but really fun to have.

VST - Volvo Scan Tool. Used to talk to computers on 96-98 cars. Unfortunetly nessessary to read / reset fault codes for the trans, climate control, srs, etc. Some functionality can be duplicated with the VOL-FCR or OBDII software.

Post by **mom** » 14 Feb 2009, 10:04

ETS = electronic throttle system

can't forget that one, I don't know why..........

Post by **tailor** » 22 Feb 2009, 20:50

This may not be helpful at all......

FBH: ....ing big hammer
FBR: ....ing big radio

But this might be:
VOL-FCR software
Laptop / PC based diagnostic tool for Volvo cars made between 1996 and 1998/9 and some other models onwards.
http://www.ilexa.co.uk/content/view/35/2/

Jaywalker · Post by **Jaywalker** » 29 May 2009, 18:07

Flame trap - Positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve

hillsboro_eric · Post by **hillsboro_eric** » 09 Nov 2009, 22:18

I'm the new owner of a 1994 854 Turbo (using a new term already

) and came across this site while doing research on the vehicle. Could someone define "PNP" and "limp mode"?

Mods--feel free to delete my post if someone will add the definitions to one of the lists above.

Thanks!

Post by **polskamafia mjl** » 09 Nov 2009, 23:31

PNP - Park Neutral Switch on automatic transmissions. Essentially tells the transmission what gear the shifter is in. Common failure point and there are a bunch of threads about the subject.

Limp Mode -> Not sure of the "official" definition but the basics are that when something goes wrong on the car and it can't operate normally it goes into a "limp mode" where it is drivable but it will run like crap. Essentially the car "limps" home.