Hi Gents, This is my first post.
My 850 air conditioner fan only blows at low speed. I checked the codes and found terminal B1 returned the following codes: 145, 235 and 418. I think these indicate a defective ECC panel as 145 is a "faulty signal from function control switch" and 235 is "recirculation damper motor position open circuit or shorted to 12v" and code 418 is "no control signal to blower fan power stage".
I don't want to just start buying parts so I would like to see if anyone has had a similar experience. Am I on the right track?
thanks
1993 850 ECC problem
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jreed
- Posts: 1619
- Joined: 8 March 2009
- Year and Model: '97 Volvo 855 GLT
- Location: RTP, North Carolina
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Welcome!
I think you're on the right track with reading the codes from the ECC. As for it's being bad, it could be but it's only a guess at this point. Some people have replaced the ECC and found their symptoms were solved, as described here: https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=60366
I have a '97 and have had two of the recirculation damper motors go bad. You can replace them or clean them up and reuse them.
My experience is written up here: https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=50525
The faulty signal from the function control switch could be dirty contacts or a corroded/loose connector on one of the ECC front panel switches. If you disassemble the ECC unit you can take a look at the condition and cleanliness of the switches on the front panel.
I have opened my ECC up a couple of times and wrote it up here: https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=56196
You could try clearing all the ECC error codes and then see which ones come back. That might help distinguish between old error codes that aren't relevant to the current symptoms versus current errors.
Good luck!
I think you're on the right track with reading the codes from the ECC. As for it's being bad, it could be but it's only a guess at this point. Some people have replaced the ECC and found their symptoms were solved, as described here: https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=60366
I have a '97 and have had two of the recirculation damper motors go bad. You can replace them or clean them up and reuse them.
My experience is written up here: https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=50525
The faulty signal from the function control switch could be dirty contacts or a corroded/loose connector on one of the ECC front panel switches. If you disassemble the ECC unit you can take a look at the condition and cleanliness of the switches on the front panel.
I have opened my ECC up a couple of times and wrote it up here: https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=56196
You could try clearing all the ECC error codes and then see which ones come back. That might help distinguish between old error codes that aren't relevant to the current symptoms versus current errors.
Good luck!
1997 855 GLT (Light Pressure Turbo) still going strong. Previous: 1986 240 GL rusted out in '06, 1985 Saab 900T rusted out in '95, 1975 Saab 99 rusted out in '95, 1973 Saab 99 rusted out in '94
Thanks for the detailed response.
I noticed referenced to blinking lights on the ECC...referring I suppose to the REC and AC OFF switch indicator lights? Mine come on when the car is started and they respond to the rocker switches but there isn't any blinking. I am wondering the differences between the 1993 and later 1995-97 versions, or does it matter?
Also, I cleared the codes at the OBD I box under the hood but they returned after I restarted the car. So, its apparently not simply a code error stuck in the ECU.
I'll go ahead and pull the ECC and see if I can clean the switches as you suggested. Then I'll see if the codes clear. The recirc damper motor is a little harder to get to so I'll do that later.
BTW, just for background, I've owned this 850 since 2000 and its stayed in the garage most of its life and has just turned 80,000 miles. Great car.
I noticed referenced to blinking lights on the ECC...referring I suppose to the REC and AC OFF switch indicator lights? Mine come on when the car is started and they respond to the rocker switches but there isn't any blinking. I am wondering the differences between the 1993 and later 1995-97 versions, or does it matter?
Also, I cleared the codes at the OBD I box under the hood but they returned after I restarted the car. So, its apparently not simply a code error stuck in the ECU.
I'll go ahead and pull the ECC and see if I can clean the switches as you suggested. Then I'll see if the codes clear. The recirc damper motor is a little harder to get to so I'll do that later.
BTW, just for background, I've owned this 850 since 2000 and its stayed in the garage most of its life and has just turned 80,000 miles. Great car.
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jreed
- Posts: 1619
- Joined: 8 March 2009
- Year and Model: '97 Volvo 855 GLT
- Location: RTP, North Carolina
- Has thanked: 352 times
- Been thanked: 192 times
Sounds good. Let us know how it turns out.
I think I recall reading somewhere on MVS that there were two versions of the ECC but that they were interchangeable. Perhaps somebody else can clarify?
I think I recall reading somewhere on MVS that there were two versions of the ECC but that they were interchangeable. Perhaps somebody else can clarify?
1997 855 GLT (Light Pressure Turbo) still going strong. Previous: 1986 240 GL rusted out in '06, 1985 Saab 900T rusted out in '95, 1975 Saab 99 rusted out in '95, 1973 Saab 99 rusted out in '94
I removed the ECC and cleaned the switches as jreed suggested. Reinstalled the ECC and cleared the codes. When I started the car the results were unchanged and the previous codes were recorded again. I have ordered a (used) replacement ECC off eBay and will give that a try when it arrives this week. If that does not work, I'll report back and ask for further suggestions. I might expect that the blower resistor unit (blower fan power stage) may be the next item?
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Ozark Lee
- MVS Moderator
- Posts: 14798
- Joined: 7 September 2006
- Year and Model: Many Volvos
- Location: USA Midwest
- Has thanked: 4 times
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The 4-1-8 code is pretty typical for a bad blower resistor (it is actually called a power stage on the ECC) but when they go bad the two typical failure modes are no blower at all or a blower that runs full blast and you can't turn it off. I don't think I've seen one that fails "halfway".
A flaky signal from the control head could cause the power stage to not properly control the speed so I think you might be on the right track to change it. I really hate to throw parts at a problem like this but that might be your only real diagnostic tool since you can't replicate the control signal itself.
...Lee
A flaky signal from the control head could cause the power stage to not properly control the speed so I think you might be on the right track to change it. I really hate to throw parts at a problem like this but that might be your only real diagnostic tool since you can't replicate the control signal itself.
...Lee
'94 850 N/A 5 speed
'96 Platinum Edition Turbo
Previous:
1999 V70XC - Nautic Blue - Totaled while parked.
1999 V70XC - RIP - Wrecked Parts Car.
1998 S70 T5
1996 850 N/A
1989 740 GLT
1986 740 GLT
1972 142 Grand Luxe
'96 Platinum Edition Turbo
Previous:
1999 V70XC - Nautic Blue - Totaled while parked.
1999 V70XC - RIP - Wrecked Parts Car.
1998 S70 T5
1996 850 N/A
1989 740 GLT
1986 740 GLT
1972 142 Grand Luxe
Gents,
The ECC I purchased off eBay arrived and I installed it today. After I installed the ECC and before I started the car, I put the key in position II and read the codes (126, 141, 143, 221, 235, 322, 325, 411, 414) then I cleared the codes and got the long led signal confirming they were clear. The I started the car with the ECC in "Auto" mode. Same old low speed fan....until I manually moved the fan control past the Auto mode and then the fan came on strong and I was able to control the fan speed across the range of speeds.
Then I turned the car off and read the codes again...the same codes returned. You may recall that before I installed this ECC I was getting codes 145, 235 and 418. So now with the exception of 235, I have an entirely new set of codes to deal with....except the fan now works.
Where do I go from here? Does this mean the new (used) ECC I got from eBay is bad? I would appreciate any suggestions from the group!
-Larry
The ECC I purchased off eBay arrived and I installed it today. After I installed the ECC and before I started the car, I put the key in position II and read the codes (126, 141, 143, 221, 235, 322, 325, 411, 414) then I cleared the codes and got the long led signal confirming they were clear. The I started the car with the ECC in "Auto" mode. Same old low speed fan....until I manually moved the fan control past the Auto mode and then the fan came on strong and I was able to control the fan speed across the range of speeds.
Then I turned the car off and read the codes again...the same codes returned. You may recall that before I installed this ECC I was getting codes 145, 235 and 418. So now with the exception of 235, I have an entirely new set of codes to deal with....except the fan now works.
Where do I go from here? Does this mean the new (used) ECC I got from eBay is bad? I would appreciate any suggestions from the group!
-Larry
OK, silly me! I forgot you had to press the button twice to clear the codes. Sure sign I'm getting old.
So, I went back and cleared the codes the second time, but it really didn't change anything except the only code that came back was 143- Pass. Side Temp. Switch Faulty Control Signal . Any idea what this means and how I go about tracking down the problem further?
-Larry
So, I went back and cleared the codes the second time, but it really didn't change anything except the only code that came back was 143- Pass. Side Temp. Switch Faulty Control Signal . Any idea what this means and how I go about tracking down the problem further?
-Larry
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Ozark Lee
- MVS Moderator
- Posts: 14798
- Joined: 7 September 2006
- Year and Model: Many Volvos
- Location: USA Midwest
- Has thanked: 4 times
- Been thanked: 75 times
The procedures to troubleshoot the various codes is in the factory service manual.
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/downlo ... vo_850.zip
See the file named AC Heater System Auto.pdf after you unzip it.
...Lee
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/downlo ... vo_850.zip
See the file named AC Heater System Auto.pdf after you unzip it.
...Lee
'94 850 N/A 5 speed
'96 Platinum Edition Turbo
Previous:
1999 V70XC - Nautic Blue - Totaled while parked.
1999 V70XC - RIP - Wrecked Parts Car.
1998 S70 T5
1996 850 N/A
1989 740 GLT
1986 740 GLT
1972 142 Grand Luxe
'96 Platinum Edition Turbo
Previous:
1999 V70XC - Nautic Blue - Totaled while parked.
1999 V70XC - RIP - Wrecked Parts Car.
1998 S70 T5
1996 850 N/A
1989 740 GLT
1986 740 GLT
1972 142 Grand Luxe
Thanks for the service manual. The manual still seems to point me to the ECC. The other tests require the Volvo test tool that I don't have access to. So, just so happens that Pic and Pull has parts for half price this weekend. The only one near me didn't have an 850 with ECC only an manual system.
I'm with you Lee, I hate to just throw parts at the problem but don't know how else to go about it. I'm thinking the next most likely suspect is the power stage unit (resister). Its getting warm here in Virginia and I don't think I can stand the heat I'll get from my wife if I don't get the air going soon.
I'm with you Lee, I hate to just throw parts at the problem but don't know how else to go about it. I'm thinking the next most likely suspect is the power stage unit (resister). Its getting warm here in Virginia and I don't think I can stand the heat I'll get from my wife if I don't get the air going soon.
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