This morning, power steering and parking brake

Dzikiewicz · Post by **Dzikiewicz** » 29 Nov 2019, 05:46

I got into my car this morning, after a few days of not touching it andddd I have a parking brake failure, and a power steering failure. Very odd combination with no warning signs.

Any advice ?

Post by **pgill** » 02 Feb 2020, 16:12

With the engine at idle can you see the belt moving?

The reservoir for the power steering fluid has a screen filter in the bottom that can get clogged.

If you remove the cap from the reservoir you should be able to see the fluid moving (small ripples at the surface) with the engine at idle

Is there fluid in the reservoir?

Do you have a 3.2 or a 3.0T

Good luck

Paul

Dzikiewicz · Post by **Dzikiewicz** » 02 Feb 2020, 17:00

There is fluid and it's a 3.0L. ill check the belt. But I think this is a bigger electrical problem. Apparently with P3 Volvo's the CEM needs to be cleaned up.

Thoughts

Post by **pgill** » 03 Feb 2020, 07:21

I just looked up the steering pump for your vehicle (2011 XC60 3.0T) and its an electrical motor that's powering a hydraulic pump.

Its possible that the power steering pump motor has failed.

If the motor does fail then it may consume enough power to cause the voltage to dip and the electronics are not happy if the voltage gets too low.

If I was solving this problem I would remove the large wires connected to the power steering pump and do a hard reset (you've been doing this with the battery, just disconnect it for a short period of time) and see if you still have the other issues.

Note: if everything except power steering now works then you know what to fix.

Note: it may be possible to remove a relay or fuse instead of the wiring connection to the power steering motor but I don't have the wiring diagram for you vehicle.

Let us know

Thanks

Paul

Dzikiewicz · Post by **Dzikiewicz** » 03 Feb 2020, 07:35

Thank you Paul

I was completely convinced this was a CEM until this moment. But I cannot ignore the valid points you are making. Do you think this voltage strain would cause such spuratic behavior? I can't even get my key out of the dash.

Anyway I'm going to do as you said this evening.

Thanks again

Post by **pgill** » 03 Feb 2020, 07:46

No problem.

My 2010 S80 has a traditional mechanical power steering pump.

The connection that you are looking for is marked with the red arrow\

: pump.jpg (39.16 KiB) Viewed 2538 times

Power Steering Pump - Volvo (36011310)

I do think that a failed electric motor could cause Voltage dip problems that would propagate thru the vehicle

Good Luck

Paul

Dzikiewicz · Post by **Dzikiewicz** » 03 Feb 2020, 18:57

I have to say, I was super skeptical of this idea. But hey, everything that made sense to me so far didn't fix my problem, so I did what you said and BOOM you were right all the bizzar codes went away right after unplugging the power steering pump.

Note: the 100 amp fuse was not enough the plug had to be removed (this is for people in the future)

Note: I am still scanning a P0700 transmission code, but it was pending, will update when I change pump.

Thank you Paul, I am still blown away.

Post by **pgill** » 04 Feb 2020, 07:04

That is an awesome result!!!!

MVS is a very helpful site and I am just trying to do my part.

Try to stay warm my friend.

The last time I was in your area I went to Mississauga (if you know where that is) and everyone was really nice and helpful.

At some level I am just paying the kindness forward.

Keep posting updates as you learn more.

Take care

Paul

PS for anyone reading this thread......... the reason that I suggested removing power from the power-steering pump motor is because prior to 2011 the power-steering pump is 100% Mechanical/Hydraulic and it won't fail (due to an electrical problem) like what you've just read in this thread. Note: I own a 2010 S80 with the mechanical style pump.