Alarm System Service Required

va-volvo · Post by **va-volvo** » 12 Jan 2008, 15:13

For the last month or so I get an "Alarm System Service Required" message for about 5 sec after I start the car. It then goes out and never comes on again until I start the car the next time. I thought that perhaps it might be an 8-year original battery starting to go, so I replaced it. No change with the message though. Any thoughts/ideas?

Chris

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 12 Jan 2008, 15:23

Chris, welcome to MVS.
I checked on this on another forum....as I've not seen any posts about this here and even though I have a P2 car ('04 V70) I have not seen this show up on my dash yet. What I read was, "About 95% of the time this message is caused by the siren(located in RF fenderwell), which needs to be replaced." So, I'd check the siren to make sure it works with your panic button. If it doesn't, then I'm afraid you'll be in for a trip to the dealer who has the proper equipment to diagnose this. If your siren works then I wouldn't be too concerned about it as the light does go off as you drive.
Regards,
MIJ

va-volvo · Post by **va-volvo** » 12 Jan 2008, 16:23

MIJ,

Thanks for the quick reply! Hadn't thought of the siren, but I just checked the siren with the panic button and it works fine - kind of startled me as I have never heard/tested it. As far as I can tell, everything with the security/remote locking system works ok. Stray "trons" perhaps.

On another topic, I every so often will have the ABS kick in when I don't think it should - dry road an just going through a turn such as an exit ramp. Anything I can check? I've looked at the connections to each of the wheels and nothing "pops out". Could it be the ADS module?

Chris

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 12 Jan 2008, 22:14

Yes, it could be the ABS module as your year as those as far back as '95 on FWD's are prone to going bad. However, the usual sign is the ABS light on when you start your car. I would just live with this for now and see if it comes on more often. If it does, I would check the wheel sensors first and clean them...the last resort is a module overhaul which can be done for less than $150 including shipping the module off for a rebuild, unlike the $800 the dealer wants for a new one. So, short answer is not to worry about it just yet.

FUBAR · Post by **FUBAR** » 14 Jan 2008, 14:52

your siren may indeed be kaputt. The panic button tests the horn, not the alarm. To test the alarm, roll the windows down, lock/arm the alarm, then pull the doorpin up. The alarm should sound much higher pitch than the horn. If you unock the door from the outside while the alarm is armed and it doesn't go off, your siren($175 + labor/software) is probably the culprit.

va-volvo · Post by **va-volvo** » 14 Jan 2008, 16:29

Fubar,

I think you have the answer. I armed the alarm system with the window down and when I pulled up the lock, nothing happened. And when I opened the door, the lights began to flash, but no siren. Is the siren replaceable by "DIY", or is special equipment require that I have to take it to an indy/dealer? Me thinks I'll have to take it to someone since there is software involved.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 14 Jan 2008, 16:43

Aha...Fubar- good call! I somehow didn't discern between the siren and the horn...something I should have done. I'll have to look up the siren in these cars and post back when I have an answer to your question.

FUBAR · Post by **FUBAR** » 14 Jan 2008, 17:04

My alarm siren went out in friggin' flames. It would go off for no reason at all, when tested it would sometimes work, sometimes at lower volumes, finally not at all. I'm curious to see if yours will do the same, hheha
Anyway...
It's possible to do the physical replacement yourself, (I will post vadis screenshots later). But this also needs to be programmed using VIDA communication, VIDA is something that not all indie shops have(expensive). While you're at it though, you might want to try opening the siren up(nothing to lose, right?) to see if you could spot anything that could be fixed within it. These are known to have internal batteries that will go bad/leak, somehow disabling it. You can probably tell I have experience here

Shop for:
Siren: 9452709
I was quoted $178 at Jim Fisher volvo, and $35 for software.

FUBAR · Post by **FUBAR** » 14 Jan 2008, 17:56

It looks pretty simple, I have yet to get around to it... basically just need to get a riveter from home depot and wait for warmer weather

va-volvo · Post by **va-volvo** » 14 Jan 2008, 17:57

Thanks for the replies guys. So far all I've had is the message. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I've never heard the siren before, and the panic button alarm is really loud. I'll wait for the pics Fubar - and thanks. What is vadis? I've seen the word in previous posts - something worth having for a DIY kind of person?

Regards,

Chris