• Modern & EV

  • Jay's V70... aka 'I found a solution to my problem!'

Okay so I finally found a car! You guys were right, waiting was indeed the best thing!

Its a 97 Volvo V70, 225000 kays on it, its blue with a cream interior.

Bought it for $500. It has bald tyres, some questionable suspension, the ABS isn't working, in need of a good service, and just the usual wear and tear you find on these cars.

Here he is, and isn't he a beauty!



So, new tyres, they'll come off my 850.
Suspension, off the 850.
The ABS computer in the 850 is good, I think they are transferrable, my 850 is a 96 and this is a 97, Im assuming the computer is the cause as it is a common failure on the 850s anyway. Where is it located for me to remove? Same place in both cars?

Other things:
The tailgate doesn't lock properly
The tailgate trim is falling off (surprise surprise, it is an early model V70 after all lmao)
Usual amount of plastic bits are broken.

Otherwise, good deal! It has oil in it, I checked, and I assume water as it didn't overheat, no leaks that I could see, drove nice, everything worked. Im ecstatic!!

Anything else I should keep from the 850 for this beast?

(btw I put this in troubleshooting as my ABS is dead and although I think its the computer, I really don't know, and I don't know where the computer is, so yeah, feel free to move...)

Thanks!!
I would say there is a 95% chance you are right that it is the ABS module. It is bolted to the bottom of the abs modulator. There are a couple of different ones, early ones look completely different so you wont get them mixed up, then there is a tracs and non-tracs type. Best way is to pull it off and check the part number.

if you need any parts I am wrecking a V70 XC that is the same colour (I think) it has lots of good bits on it.

http://ozvolvo.org/discussion/1017/wrecking-99-v70-xc-complete-car/p1

good buy but.

Okay, next question, where and what on earth is an ABS modulator? Thats probably a silly question but Ive never had one of these in my life!

Both my cars are within a year of each other and both front wheel drive so its likely they are the same!

Ill keep your XC in mind if I need anything! No body panels as of yet. You know the INFO switch that gives you the fuel economy stuff? My V70 doesn't have it but I know the XCs do. Is it transferable easily or will I need to replace like a whole heap of wiring? Probs not even worth it but again, I like top spec and fun things to play with. I don't even have electric seats in this, nor heated ones, but oh well haha.

OH WAIT! This one is a standard 2.5 20V but has a sunroof (I assume an optional extra), it slides open fine but doesn't tilt. It sounds like it tries to tilt but gets stuck. Any ideas?

Also, the owner said there is a water leak somewhere, like through the sunroof or a door, it gets into the front passenger footwell. Any common failure points?
Nice, reminds me of the 99 Volvo V70 2.5T I bought a year ago as a runabout when I first moved back to Oz, same colour exterior & interior.

Tailgate lock most likely caused by wires cut by factory cable tie. Pull off the interior trim around left rear window in the cargo area & look near the left tailgate hinge, you'll find a section of the harness with nylon net over it which is cable tied to the chassis. Pull off or cut off the nylon net and you'll probably find broken wire(s). In my case I found the cable tie had severed wires for tailgate lock, tailgate wiper motor & rear demister! An hour with the soldering iron and all fixed.
Water in the front passenger footwell is usually the heater leaking, you will want to replace that ASAP.

sunroof I'm not to sure.

I don't know what is involved in retrofitting the trip computer or if it is even possible but I guarantee if it is I will have everything you need to do it. The XC doesnt have electric seats either.

ABS Modulator is in the engine bay near the lhf strut tower, follow the brake lines from the master cylinder and you will find it, it is a pump looking thing with a black plastic base and a couple of plugs in the side. It is pretty easy to remove the module from underneath while it is in the car, much easier than pulling the whole thing out.

Oh great. Ill run the motor with the heater on and see if I can see it leaking. If not Ill keep a close eye on the water levels. Is the heater core hard to fix? Im guessing its a dash out job? In which case I'd probably grab everything connected to the INFO switch and go for it and see what happens haha, may as well do it while its out!

Some XCs do some don't, I think the later models did, it depends haha.

Okay Ill have a look on the weekend when everything else from the 850 gets hauled across! Thanks Rob!
Heater core is very easy to change. You don't need to pull the dash out. My recommendation is to check youtube, there are several videos on how to do it.

Also, make sure you buy a NEW good quality one. They are prone to failure. If they fail in a big way (which they often do) you will be stuck on the side of the road with a stinking wet interior.

The easiest way to see if it is leaking is to pull the carpet back in the rhf corner of the passenger footwell, you can then pull the big plastic piece out that sits vertically in there. You will see signs of leaking if it is (..and it will be :) )
Rob;27187 wroteI don't know what is involved in retrofitting the trip computer or if it is even possible but I guarantee if it is I will have everything you need to do it.
Quick look in my 850 & S/V/C70 accessories catalogue shows trip computer is available as as an accessory, so I'm willing to be that it's possible to retrofit.

You might need to reprogram the instrument cluster to work with the trip computer, normally a dealer job but I just bought the tools to do it so I'm happy to do it for you.
From what I can see it is prewired. You need to plug the switch in and use the VST tool to enable it, they also mention that you need to order a PIN from volvo to enable it, part# 9192747. they say it is $200 + for the PIN :-O

dont know if there is a work around.
i wonder if you can just swap the instrument cluster too.
Hmm I wonder if the dealer will give you the PIN for the trip computer if you provide the VIN of the donor car, just like the PIN for the immobiliser unit.

One of my S90 has a rather unique history & dealer couldn't find the PIN for my immobiliser unit when I wanted to add additional transponder chipped keys. I ended up swapping the immobiliser unit with one from a wrecked V70 and provided the dealer with the VIN of the donor car, they were able to look up the PIN & that allowed me to add more keys to my S90.
Rob;27190 wroteHeater core is very easy to change. You don't need to pull the dash out. My recommendation is to check youtube, there are several videos on how to do it.

Also, make sure you buy a NEW good quality one. They are prone to failure. If they fail in a big way (which they often do) you will be stuck on the side of the road with a stinking wet interior.

The easiest way to see if it is leaking is to pull the carpet back in the rhf corner of the passenger footwell, you can then pull the big plastic piece out that sits vertically in there. You will see signs of leaking if it is (..and it will be :) )
Alright Ill definitely have a look on the weekend! It won't kill it in the next few days haha. The heater was working though! Took ages to get hot so maybe it is leaking, the motor took a fair while as well, the 850 did too, compared to the cross country which is hot by the time i get to round the corner haha.
asiandriver;27191 wrote Quick look in my 850 & S/V/C70 accessories catalogue shows trip computer is available as as an accessory, so I'm willing to be that it's possible to retrofit.

You might need to reprogram the instrument cluster to work with the trip computer, normally a dealer job but I just bought the tools to do it so I'm happy to do it for you.
Oh good! It sounds like an optional extra thing as some V70s/S70s have them and some don't, the range toppers, T5, XC and R all got them as standard though I think.

Yeah Id be happy for you to reprogram it if you want, saves me paying Volvo rates I guess!
Rob;27192 wroteFrom what I can see it is prewired. You need to plug the switch in and use the VST tool to enable it, they also mention that you need to order a PIN from volvo to enable it, part# 9192747. they say it is $200 + for the PIN :-O

dont know if there is a work around.
Ah, its the same cost to get a key/remote reprogrammed, I think there are work arounds as most people don't want to pay ridiculous money for that!
Rob;27193 wrotei wonder if you can just swap the instrument cluster too.
Maybe! Will it remember the kilometres though?
asiandriver;27195 wroteHmm I wonder if the dealer will give you the PIN for the trip computer if you provide the VIN of the donor car, just like the PIN for the immobiliser unit.

One of my S90 has a rather unique history & dealer couldn't find the PIN for my immobiliser unit when I wanted to add additional transponder chipped keys. I ended up swapping the immobiliser unit with one from a wrecked V70 and provided the dealer with the VIN of the donor car, they were able to look up the PIN & that allowed me to add more keys to my S90.
Im sure if you give the dealer a legit sounding story they would help you out, if you go to a nice dealer haha.
Not getting hot means the thermostat is jammed , have had same problem on my S70T5 , the thermostat was all bent up and stuck open , on a very hot day I found out...
Probably temperature sensor too.
Buy the best heater core you can , I tried a cheaper one from FCP Groton , USA and it was slightly smaller and smelled when run , leftover cleaning fluid from manufacturing.
Some cheaper ones are worse and need washed before putting in or smell for ages so I hear.
Check hoses and the radiator end tanks and where the hoses clamp on to it as they become brittle , same on the T5 , lucky I took for service at Voldat as Mark found my top inlet was brittle and about to crack/fall off...
It does get hot it just takes an age, and the heater takes a while too. I didn't drive it very hard, bit nervous after the 850 experience. It goes way better than the 850 did, funny its the same motor but it responds so much better, responds even better than the cross country which requires me to plant it everywhere.
Yeah I will be, I've had troubles with heater cores on my old car and i found out (the hard way) that just buy a good one the first time, so much less hassle!
Yeah Ill be having a close look at everything on the weekend, will probs end up giving it a minor service haha
I'll actually probably be servicing this car myself once I get a bit more comfortable with it, its 97 so its not VIDA though? It has an OBD-II port in the centre console....
You can get a $34 OBD scan and cancel reader from China bay delivered. As I understand it yes VIDA on a laptop the patch cable and you are in.
Grab a thermostat off Berry or Voldat.
Ill look into that :) Either that or Ill just ignore the SERVICE light hahaha!

I will, Ill probably flog it down there for a service anyway. It may or may not be due for a timing belt. Couldn't quite read when it was done.

Oh also, the previous owner told me there was a remote for this car, many moons ago, but it died and then got lost, so I assume to replace it I have to buy one from Volvo and get it programmed?
Buy one from FCP or PFS UK ( Partsforvolvo online) .
Programming it with @Will and reset service code at Berry's.
If I just buy an old remote from the wreckers or ebay thats already programmed, can it be reprogrammed for my car?
Come see me this weekend I have the dealer diagnostic tool that can reprogram the remote for you, can also clear your service light too.
I haven't bought one yet, but if I can buy a second hand one and reprogram it then I will grab it! It might take a while to arrive though haha!
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