Instrument Cluster issues

LeeJ · Post by **LeeJ** » 27 Nov 2010, 12:31

Hi -

I have a 2002 Volvo S80 (non-turbo) with 180K miles, purchased used. About 6 months after I purchased the car, I noticed the high-beam indicator light only worked intermittently. Shortly thereafter the ABS light came on. After a while the check engine light. To make a very long story short, the lights and gauges come on and off at random, with the exception of the ABS light and check engine light which stay on pretty consistently.

Two weeks go, ALL my lights (including the low oil light) came on and wouldn't go off. The next day, the only thing on my instrument cluster that worked was my check engine light. No speedometer, no tachometer. Now they'll work one day, not the next. This morning I drove to the junkyard to pick up a used instrument cluster (I know I have to bring it to the dealer for computer work afterwards). On the way there, my instruments were working fine (ABS and check engine light were on, as usual). I shut off the car, went into the junkyard where the fella gave me the "new" cluster to try. The only light that would come on (on) the new cluster was the check engine light. No other lights or gauges would work. I then plugged my old one in and the only light that worked was the check engine light - just like the "new" one. The counter person insisted he knew his cluster was good. Thankfully I didn't have to purchase it.

Does anyone have any idea what I need to replace? I assumed the replacement cluster would work - but with the wrong mileage. I tried moving the cluster wiring around, assuming there might be a short, but no luck. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Lee

jbrown122 · Post by **jbrown122** » 27 Nov 2010, 12:57

Hi, what you are experiencing is a faulty ABS module, the cluster is fine.

Volvo will charge around $800 for this job. If you want to save some money,
go here: (http://xemodex.com/xemodex_011.htm)
Then, you can remove your abs module (directions are here: and send it to Xemodex to be repaired.
Good luck!

jimgrames62 · Post by **jimgrames62** » 27 Nov 2010, 13:22

try the abs first but this is exactly the symptoms my s80 had and eventually it won't start. sounds more like a cem. i found out the hard way they can only be flashed once so if you send to bba reman or xemodex and they repair it, it still may not work in the car. it cost me 1250 at the dealer. its easy to remove buts its a gamble if repair will work. after 6 months of this i took it to the dealer. chris at xemodex told me its a emissions warranty item but dealer wasn't buying it so i had them give me the bad one back after the repair.

LeeJ · Post by **LeeJ** » 28 Nov 2010, 03:36

Thank you both very much. I'll contact Xemodex Monday. Perhaps I can send in both the ABS and CEM modules for diagnostics and repair.

Lee

LeeJ · Post by **LeeJ** » 04 Dec 2010, 07:21

I contacted Xemodex and gave them the info posted above. He said it was a bad instrument cluster. I just got it back from them Thursday and the cluster is staying lit (finally). Unfortunately my ABS, check engine, traction control and SRS airbag lights stay on. Contacted Xemodex and he indicates I also must have a bad ABS module (~$500). Not sure what I'm going to do at this point - I can't keep dumping money into this. With the mileage I have the most I'll get for this is $2100 if I sell it and that is if it's fixed. I should have listened to Consumer Reports before I bought this.

jimgrames62 · Post by **jimgrames62** » 05 Dec 2010, 15:53

bba reman has the abs repair on ebay for cheap? I think I paid 60? if abs module is good then only a 35 bench fee. bba reman also does cem for 250? not sure how much xemodex charges.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Volvo-85 ... ccessories

LeeJ · Post by **LeeJ** » 24 Dec 2010, 00:10

Sorry for the the delay in responding. My S80 ABS module would have cost me ~$425 from BBA, as the module varies based on year. Xemodex wanted ~$500. In any case, I took my car back to Volvo because I got a coupon in the mail for $150 brake job. The tech who previously told me the car needed the ABS module replaced started doing the brake job only to discover my passenger side front axle had cracked which was causing an issue with the ABS wheel sensor. I got quoted $850 for the repair. I took it to my local garage where they did the job for $400. All my problems (and warning lights) went away! I hope I can run trouble free for a while. Thanks for everyone's feedback!

seicken · Post by **seicken** » 03 May 2011, 16:42

My daughter has an 02 XC 70 which she dearly loves, well until the cluster went out. Got the 02 to replace her 96 850 wagon. Heck should have kept it. Got this with only 70000 miles on it and really likes it, well mostly. Have had some minor maintenance problems but when the cluster went out after two visits to the Volvo dealer we were pretty upset. I have had several vehicles in my life (age 57) and have never had an instrument cluster go out. What in the heck is up with that.
We know Volvo is great on safety but issues like this really make a person wonder...................
We have an 07 XC90 which no issues yet after a year and we really like.