Dash board goes dead

RICKPFEIFFER

MEMBER
2002 VOLVO XC70
5 CYL
AWD
AUTOMATIC
156,000 MILES

Re: '02 Volvo XC-70. For the past 2 days the dashboard goes dark (no speedo, no tach, all the dash indicators are as if the engine is off), but the car runs fine. The only working light on the dash is the high beam indicator. Also, airbag indicator light on message center.

Two nights ago, I drove thru water about 6-8" high (under RR bridge). I parked the car and 3 hours later when driving home, dash went dead. Next morning, dash worked fine for 5 minutes, then went dead, for 5 minutes. Since then, dash is dead more than "alive", but comes and goes. Should I just wait a few days to see if everything dries out? Or, could some plug for the dash be loose? If so, where do I look/check?

I have 156K miles and this has never happened.

1 Reply

JIS001

MECHANIC
3,411 POSTS

For this fault I would recommend you actually take it in to have it diagnose since it seems there is a fault in the low speed CAN Bus? There is a network of control modules on your vehicle. The main one overseen both the high and low speed is the central electronic module which can also store codes for none responsive modules. So whatever module goes down it will drag down the rest of the control units as well inside the cabin. That is why the SRS light is. So anything like the Central Electronic Module, the SRS module, rear module, upper module, climate, or door modules going out can take the rest of the control units down with it? That is why you are better off taking it in to a shop that can diagnose CAN Bus failures light the dealership or an independent shop specializing in Volvo? Call your local dealership to see if they are participating in the service for life program? You could get up to an hour of free diagnostic if they are? Here is Volvo's link for more info. So try that and see what happens? Good luck and keep me posted please.