A bunch of questions about my new-to-me S70....

wrybread · Post by **wrybread** » 28 Apr 2019, 21:21

Well I bought a 2000 S70 SE with 101k miles and all dealer maintenance records for $2300. I flew down to San Diego to pick it up from what I imagine to be the ideal previous owner: a rich grandpa who didn't drive it much. I just finished the drive back to San Francisco, and it drove like a champ the whole way, from long late night freeway miles to winding backroads through the coastal range. It's been a long time since I had a car that would accidentally drive 90 mph, ha. And it got 27.2 mpg on the drive back, which I consider excellent, especially since I took a lot of non highway side trips.

I have a few questions, mostly superficial interior things since it hasn't visited my mechanic yet:

- what's going on with the plastic? A lot of the interior plastic is brittle, or has marks that don't look like wear marks. For example the power window controls and the climate control knobs. I stopped at a junkyard on the way home and interestingly the 850's that I saw didn't have this problem, but the three S70's all looked exactly the same as mine. I replaced my climate control knobs with the ones from the 850 (I think it was an 850, might have been a different Volvo, since some of them were too big). The stereo knobs have the same issue. Is this common? Any tips to fix?

For example here's one of my old climate control knobs in the center showing the wear marks, surrounded by my replacement knobs from an older model:

The power window controls all have that same odd wear:

Even the rear window controls, which presumably didn't get used often enough to show wear:

- Is there some way to disable the beeping that happens every time I open the door with the key in? I cringe every time I hear it. Usually I disable the door sensor but with a quick search I couldn't find it. Any tips? I guess ideally I'd like to simply disable the beeping mechanism since I like the other door sensor features like the lights that turn on when I enter the vehicle.

- The exterior is pretty pristine except for the (vinyl?) covering on the metal strip along the edges of the roof. Any tips on fixing that?

- I see a lot of ODBII sensors around, including ones that work wirelessly with phones. Has anyone found any of these to be useful for daily driving? If so I'd love to hear what readers and apps you're using.

- I'd like to put on a roof rack, mostly for carrying surfboards and kayaks, which means it needs to be pretty sturdy and wide. I was going to transfer my Thule rack from old car, but I know the S70 has screw holes for a rack. Looking on eBay I see lots of options:

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R ... k&_sacat=0

Any recommendations?

- And my leather seats are a bit dry. I don't have a pic of the seats with me, let me know if that would help, but is there some treatment that works well?

- How to get extra keys? I only have one, and the previous owner said there's a chip involved. Is there some place to take it? And I also got a single key fob, any tips on getting another one of those?

- There's 3 buttons on the driver sun visor. I'm guessing those are for controlling garage doors? If so, how to program them? And I don't have any garages, has anyone come up with some other clever use for them?

- What do the "W" and "shift overlock" buttons on the shifter do?

- My ignition switch is a little stiff at the end, I have to turn it with a little bit of force to get it fully into the off position. Is there some way to fix that?

Thanks for any tips. Hopefully it's clear from the above that I love my new S70.

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 28 Apr 2019, 22:18

The knobs and switches are cover with grime (A concretion of Body oils, condensation, dust, fibers).

Take some Isopropyl alcohol on a microfiber cloth and buff off the grime. It will take a some work just keep the microfiber cloth damp with Isopropyl alcohol, flip as needed.

As the Isopropyl alcohol softens the grime, the cloth will pull it off. It will get uglier before it gets beautiful. Keep at it, they will shine again. Finish off with a clean cloth. A toothbrush can help.

Maybe the old man was rich because he never paid a Detailer.

[W] is for Weather, Winter or Wet. The transmission will start off in third gear instead of first gear, helps keep you from spinning out when it is slick.

OBDII: Get Volvo VIDA/DiCE ~$80.00 .

Extra keys: Bend over and take it from a dealer or a specially licensed locksmith with the right equipment.

Stiff lock: Go to Ace Hardware and get a can Lock-Ease. Shoot a short burst into the lock cylinder the work it with the key.

Post by **erikv11** » 28 Apr 2019, 23:05

Here's a post that explains the buttons in more detail, it is not as simple as "grime" but the best solution is indeed as simple as rubbing alcohol: viewtopic.php?t=81022

And if you want to do some prevention ... viewtopic.php?t=43648

wrybread · Post by **wrybread** » 29 Apr 2019, 00:40

Awesome, will try it tomorrow.

And to keep it all in one place, here's a thread on removing the relay that causes the #@$#@$@#$@#@ nag beeping whenever door is opened with the key in the ignition:

viewtopic.php?t=29232

And here's a thread on replacing that roof trim, which I think is called the "drip molding".

viewtopic.php?t=76395

There's a link to a replacement for a bit over $100, and an interesting DIY suggestion from @clifford06 that I think I'm going to try:

"If you want a quick fix, get a spray can of "Flexi Dip" from local auto store. My roof strips faded from sitting for a year . I used painters tape and old newspaper to mask off for overspray. Sprayed several coats. I also did lower vents near fog lights and mud flaps on front wheels. It put a lot of life back in to the trim for just $8.00. I see 850's here in town that would look a lot better if the black bumper and body trim were brought back to life . Just a budget helpful suggestion."

Post by **abscate** » 29 Apr 2019, 07:15

That looks like a clean retail car , great! Ignore any chaff from those who “ bought that car” at $500 and are now spending $3000 in time money fixing it...

CONNOLLY leather care is my favourite stuff for seat. Only the inserts are leather. Don’t waste it on vinyl parts

Safety first

Brakes evaluation, all four corners plus e brake

Suspension..ball joints, inner. Outer tie rod ends

Engine
PCV glove test for crankcase pressure
Oil leaks seeps stains
Timing belt history. It’s due on miles, over due on time. If it breaks, it takes out the top of the engine.

Post by **scot850** » 29 Apr 2019, 13:00

I am one of those 'chaff' who has been through the cheap Volvo route that ended up costing thousands on 3 occasions. This looks like it has had some care and love so could be the diamond in the rough with mostly cosmetic issues. An inspection is worthwhile just to give you an idea of where you are and what to target. All the button issues are due to hot weather and can sometimes be fixed with IPA but not always. Ebay or colder climate areas may be worth a check like northern states or Canada. We sometimes get these issues as well so it is not a 100% guarantee they will be any better.

I pay my local Volvo dealer for this knowing they will often list lots of issues that don't need to be fixed immediately. This costs me around $200 CDN but I know the dealer well and trust them. I know not everyone has the same luck with their local dealer, but maybe you might have a good independent locally that may be a good option too as they are likely to know these 20 year old cars better than the local dealer.

Neil.

wrybread · Post by **wrybread** » 29 Apr 2019, 13:11

Alcohol did a good job cleaning most of it, but on the driver side lots of the black paint is gone, with the white base exposed.

It passed the pcv glove test.

I'm at my mechanic and he pronounced it well maintained. The tranny oil doesn't look good tho, going to flush that, let me know if any issues there.

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 29 Apr 2019, 14:10

wrybread wrote: ↑29 Apr 2019, 13:11 Alcohol did a good job cleaning most of it, but on the driver side lots of the black paint is gone, with the white base exposed.

Volvo part number 8638452. After market as low as $25.00. Good quality Volvo OEM ~$150.00.

wrybread · Post by **wrybread** » 29 Apr 2019, 14:24

> Volvo part number 8638452

Ordered, thank you so much. $30 from Amazon.

Post by **abscate** » 29 Apr 2019, 16:27

Review aftermarket parts first!

Aftermarket window switch life covered here..

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=85794&p=475423#p475423