2001 V70 T5 computer no start issue

azureblue · Post by **azureblue** » 30 Nov 2016, 08:22

I picked it up for peanuts. 178K miles and in good shape. And red. Very red.....

- apparently, somebody jump started it wrong, and blew the CEM. I has been replaced and synced with the ECU and the by xemodex. It does not start, the instrument panel doesn't light up and the Climate control is a bit wonky. It appears the IP is original, but the readout (OBD, I think) reports incompatible mileage....What should I do from here?

Post by **abscate** » 30 Nov 2016, 08:34

I think cheapest route will be to buy VIDA and start reading what is working and what isnt.

See transmission thread above before you sink too much into it, too.

azureblue · Post by **azureblue** » 30 Nov 2016, 08:37

I think my mechanic is doing that. He has the car. He thought it was maybe a blown instrument panel..

azureblue · Post by **azureblue** » 30 Nov 2016, 17:23

I think the transmission has been replaced - there is evidence of the engine being held in place with a top frame and the sub frame dropped.
So what I think is going on: #1 my fault...Based upon what I was told by the person who sold me the car and his mechanic, I believed that the CEM was the only issue. I was told the car's battery ran down, and some idiot jump started it with a tow truck charger, and that blew the CEM. If I go worst case of idiocy, maybe the jump cables were reversed. So my mechanic went in and had Xemotec replace the blown CEM with one of theirs, and sync it to the ECU and key. I am guessing that my mechanic did not power up the car to see if anything else was wrong. I could be wrong here, though. The shop put in the new CEM and synced key and ECU and the car still would not start. I think this is when they discovered the dead instrument cluster and the issue with the mileage not agreeing with something. so i gather that having a VIDA is the only way to get this information. True?

But if I understand VIDA right, if they run it, it should say what all is wrong with the electrical system, even with a non running engine? And my mechanic would not report a mileage discrepancy if he did not have VIDA?

I am on the hook for about a grand at the mechanic's, plus a little less for purchase price, towing, title, yada yada. The car needs a driver's seat cover and a wheel lug bolt, and other small cosmetics. Great dent free body and near new premium tires. I am told that a rebuilt and synced Instrument panel cluster will run me about $250. OK. If that is the thing that is stopping the engine from running, I'll pay for that. But if I'm falling into an abyss of dead computers and blown alternators, and who knows what, then maybe I should cut my losses and sell the car or swap it for a solid 90's era 850 / 70 turbo drive train for my 850T that, at 240K, has a bad RMS. But I would love to get it running and keep it. A little TLC and it would be a great car, I think.

While I trust my mechanic, and have had him work on my 850R, I have a feeling he is getting a bit frustrated with the car, and I wouldn't blame him. Jeez, he works on cars, not computers.... I know he has a ton of patience because he does a lot of work on SAABs......

My first Volvo was a 544, then I have had at least one of each model, and have worked on all of them.

Post by **abscate** » 30 Nov 2016, 18:25

You can't run these economically unless you can both diagnose and fix yourself. Figure 20 cents per mile otherwise. That's the fork in the road you have arrived at.

That 2001 also has the downside of the old P80 without the P2 upside.

azureblue · Post by **azureblue** » 30 Nov 2016, 18:42

ouch but probably true.. I should get a call from my mechanic tomorrow. I'm going to ask him if he is using VIDA for the car...

I'm pretty good with electronic stuff, so If I had VIDA, I would take a whack at it.

Post by **jonesg** » 30 Nov 2016, 19:00

I would never do as you have done,
never buy a car not test driveable,
never a 2001 v70,
never a modern volvo unless I can DIY.
First thing I did when I got my v70 was buy a scanner and a manual from IPD.

Dont mean to sound harsh. I would take charge of repair at this point. call and talk to xemotec,
see if you can locate someone local with vida or at least a decent scanner.
Paying a mechanic is generally not viable, especially when dealing with the black magic elctronics.
Its not THAT complicated , you just have to go about it differently than what you are doing.
My motivation is I'm a cheap bastard so diy comes easy.

azureblue · Post by **azureblue** » 30 Nov 2016, 20:03

I happen to be a cheap bastard myself. I gave the work to my mechanic because we both thought this would be a simple two hour job for him. My mechanic is giving a bit of a break, because he knows my situation, but I may just do as you say and DIY.

What sort of scanner should I get,when you say "decent"? You mean OBD2?

Post by **abscate** » 01 Dec 2016, 04:28

You need a working VIDA system for this one. That makes an OBD II scanner redundant in utility. OBD II won't give you all the module communication information that you really need

If it did get reverse polarity I bet there is a lot more than the CEM that blew. We have a thread with someone's experience with this in this forum, have a search for it for guidance.

If you can get a good runner on the road for 2000-3000 it's a great car

Correction to above..I think 2001 is a full blown P2, the 1999-2000 were the bastard transition years

azureblue · Post by **azureblue** » 01 Dec 2016, 08:27

So where do I get a dependable VIDA system for the car? I did a search and found several from $85 to $170, and a few warning s about sub par hardware and sellers. Computers are no problem for me and I have a couple of laptops....
Much thanks for your advice.. Big help for me.

I'll do a search. Gotta figure out to do it - the right word combination.. After I have more coffee..