Tail gate dropped and 'Alarm'
 

Did a run to Edinburgh in the snow the other week and on the way I had the stereo on in the AUX setting but nothing playing at the time. Suddenly had ALARM showing in the display and some music played for about 3 seconds. Pressed some buttons and realised it played a short bit from the FM radio. - Any ideas?

To the main bit- parked the car and open the electric tail gate who then decided to drop on me for about 12". Tested it and sure it was weak. This happened again later that day but has since behaved fine. Weather was wet at the time (nothing new there...).

Bit weird both happened at the same trip and then seems to be fine. I hate electronics....

The manual tells you what the alarm message is all about. It's unconnected to the tailgate incident.

Indeed, parts of the TP on the Radio function, an Alarm for a serious accident, have NEVER ever seen of heard of that. Maybe the Hawaian authorities sent it out...

They test the alarm function now and then here in Sweden.

I have at least heard it for real here once. It was about a factory that was on fire, with poisonous smoke being evaporated over the neighbourhood. People were urged inside behind closed windows and stopped ventilation systems.

Do you have a manual tailgate ? If you do then the low temperature will cause the struts to be weak as the internal gas pressure drops . Its probably time to replace them . Every time it gets cold it will remind you :star-wars-smiley-02 If you have electric tailgate then not sure what will cause this ?

I have read in the manual that warnings will be broadcast but never heard one .

OP said so he probably has an electric tailgate!

The electric tailgate is supported by gas springs too, so the diagnosis could very well be identical.

It's 2008 model so will be the hydraulic version.

According to: https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=250589

The device can be fitted to any XC60, XC70 or V70 with a power tailgate. It does not matter if it is a hydraulic drive (upto MY12) or electromechanical drive (from MY12 onwards).

Duh ! Should have read post properly re ELECTRIC tailgate.

Hydraulic version may have a leak and be low on fluid or ram is worn . ?

The ALARM was the FM-RDS emergency warning system, and means the local or national broadcaster was putting out a test ALARM message, OR the radio made an error in decoding the data, did a false decode and detected alarm, and then corrected it a few seconds later.
Ignore it.