2006 XC70 Unique Electrical Issue

Post by **IdahoBob** » 05 Apr 2015, 21:46

I would appreciate any thoughts on where to start looking on this one... Bought a pretty clean '06 XC70 with 113,000 miles. California car, so little environmental damage other than some sun rot. The problem is electrical.
If I pull the handbrake on, the "check engine light" (CEL, hereafter) comes on. It goes off after about 20 seconds, whether the engine is running or not. If the car is off, and the CEL goes out, and I open the door, the CEL comes back on. If I leave the handbrake off when parking the car, no CEL. Possibly related, the rear fog light (that small vertical row of 5 dim bulbs, under the left rear running/brake lights) is always on anytime the engine is running, whether the switch is in the off or on position.

Thoughts anyone?

Thanks, Happy Motoring!

Post by **abscate** » 06 Apr 2015, 05:23

Yikes. This one sounds like it needs a Swedish exorcism.

The 2006 model is run by a host of computer modules which all talk to each other. You need this hooked up to VADIs to start figuring out what is (not) talking to what as a start.

When the CEL comes on you could try reading codes to start, but I bet there aren't any.

Post by **Vovo_merz** » 06 Apr 2015, 07:28

If you can't get to scan those codes I would start with brake pedal switch as it seems to be all around with your problems

Post by **chrism** » 06 Apr 2015, 08:24

This may be one of those instances where you might be money ahead in the end to go ahead and pay the dealer to scan the whole car and give you their diagnosis as to what may be at the center of all this. If, for instance, they come back with "faulty CEM", then you could send it up to Xemodex for a rebuild.