Another new owner....S70, 1998, Air and radio problem

[johnm]

I got my S70 for my daughter at a car auction. It looked in great condition but I found a couple of problems after I got it home and hope some of you can help me.

1. The first problem I solved on my own. Someone had sabotaged the alternator by pulling (I guess) the regulator connector off. Put it back on and charging system great.

2. The radio not working. Found all connectors off. Plugged them all in but it started smelling and heating up. There were a group of 3 wires black taped together coming from power connector. Don't know what these are but I think I at least have a bad regulator in the radio. Previous owner must have had another radio in there. Does this seem plausible to any of you? Also, do all S70s have a power antenna. Mine does not move.

3. This is the important one now. The ECC is showing constant blinking of the AC on button. I have no AC, clutch not engaging. Also, no heat. The fan works I think OK. It blows more when increase or decrease temp on unit. I was told this may be two separate problems. Heat is a bad thermistat in engine??Anyone have ideas?? Help would be appreciated. I checked all fuses and relay seems good.

[Ozark Lee]

The radio may just be dead. Which model is it? If it was just the AM/FM/Cassette you can pick one up on ebay for around $30.00. If you had the CD player like a SC-816 they tend to go for around $100.00 or so. Aftermarket Alpine or Blaupunkt units actually sound better in my opinion and they tend to go for the low $100 dollar range as well. It sounds like your connector has been butchered which is too bad. Crutchfield sells adapter plugs for the OEM connector but you may be beyond that.

OzBrick used to have a pinout for the connector but they went tango uniform. This thread may or may not be of help for your radio.

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... php?t=5242

I have some pinouts from the Volvo schematics but I will need to re-boot the network under windows instead of Linux to print them to a .pdf file, be patient with me.

The bummer with the ECC is that it takes a Volvo Scan Tool to read the codes. Anytime the lights are flashing it is mad about something. If the unit otherwise works OK then chances are you temperature sensor is clogged with lint. I only have 850 series cars but I'm sure someone with a V/S series can chime in and describe the temperature sensor location and the procedure to clean it out.

...Lee

[jblackburn]

Welcome to MVS!

The temperature sensor Lee was referring to is here:


Blow that out with a can of compressed air and see if the flashing lights go away.

The thermostat is a common problem, and an easy fix. Replace the coolant temp. sensor while you're in there as well.
The thermostat is located right here:


Take a look at this for the procedure...it's really pretty easy.
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/2009/0 ... 0-or-xc70/
To add to that, you don't really need to drain out all the coolant if the rest of it in the system still looks nice & green. You can simply pinch off the hose from the expansion tank, and stick a bucket under the car to catch what comes out of the upper radiator hose. Then just fill up what you lost.

The A/C may just need freon...the majority of these cars (mine included) leak once they get old, and the compressor will not engage if the freon level is too low. If it still cuts out during the summer after the car has been running for a while, look up 'A/C clutch gap fix' on the site here.

[johnm]

Thanks to all. I will look into all tomorrow.

[kcodyjr]

Pretty short list of problems; it had to be on auction for a reason.

Sounds like the ideal daughtermobile, too.

Pros of the factory radio: easy fitment and integration once you get that wiring harness un-hacked. Even easier access to the buttons.

Cons of the factory radio: none unless you're a sound quality freak

Pros of an aftermarket radio: sounds better and has more features; plus she gets a pocket right below to keep stuff in.

Cons of an aftermarket radio: they come with a million ways to not be watching the road, always look out-of-place, and are prone to theft.


Re: no heat, yeah probably the thermostat. When the cooling system is working right it should peg itself halfway up the gauge, regardless of the weather and how hard you're driving. If it drops below after warming up, or never fully warms up, you likely have a stuck open thermostat just like the older and simpler cars.


Re: climate control. Does she really need air conditioning? Just kidding. If you have a refrigerant fill hose with a gauge on it, start by checking the pressure. The low pressure port should be visible near the washer fluid reservoir, assuming it's in the same place as the 850, and it should. As mentioned, the evaporators tend to rot and start leaking, and they are a bastard to replace. R134a with stop leak, is your friend. Be warned that I've gotten mild headaches from having refrigerant blown in my face.


Safe and Happy Motoring,
- Kevin

[johnm]

In appreciation here are schematics for the SC-816. http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/index.ph ... or-sc-816/

If you can't pull them up I also have the diagrams of the connector and radio on my harddrive.

Thanks for the help and I may need more.

[BEJinFbk]

If you don't get the radio leads sorted, post a pic of the black taped portion.
In this case, an image would explain a lot. Good Luck! Sounds like it'll be a great car for her.

[boosted5cyl]

I can verify the A\C service port is at near the washer fluid tank. Noticed my compressor isnt kicking on when I turn full demist on, must check my pressure too.

[johnm]

Ok guys and gals,

I changed out the thermostat and guess what? Still no heat. I am thinking it is the ECC??? Still didn't get air to blow out temp sensor but I will and something tells me that won't be it anyway. Any other suggestions????

[Ozark Lee]

Take a look at the heater lines. It could be that you have a blown heater core and the previous owner just blocked it off or put on a bypass hose rather than fixing it.

...Lee