C70: - How to diagnose alarm fault

MikeS100 · Jun 26th, 2013, 22:25

Hi all,

The C70 seems to have developed another fault, but I need some help to figure out what the fault is! The symptoms are that when you start the car the little red alarm led on top of the dash in the middle starts flashing like crazy for about 30 seconds. From what I understand that means there is a fault in the alarm/immobiliser system somewhere, and I'm sure it wasn't doing this when I first got the car. But that's it, no other symptoms, everything works as I would expect. Had the codes read by Volvo at the weekend and no codes except the roof fault which I already new about. It's just the led flashing at me! So any ideas what I can look at? Is there a way to diagnose the alarm system and see what's wrong?

Thanks

Thanatos · Jun 26th, 2013, 22:32

sounds like the battery is flat and this will throw a code as mine does this

MikeS100 · Jun 26th, 2013, 23:04

Thanks for the reply, that's something I hadn't considered. The battery was new just before I bought the car and doesn't seem to have any trouble starting, but I'll take some voltage readings and see what I get.

Thanatos · Jun 26th, 2013, 23:12

hi mike not the car battery the alarm battery in the inner wing of the front drivers

MikeS100 · Jun 26th, 2013, 23:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thanatos

hi mike not the car battery the alarm battery in the inner wing of the front drivers

Oh I see, I was thinking it would be powered off the main battery, but I guess it's kind of obvious it would have it's own one! Can I test it with a multi meter? Any idea what it should be reading?

OvlovS70 · Jun 27th, 2013, 00:40

Hello,
Not too sure how to test it but certainly tricky to access.
http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=174387
Apparently the batteries leak over the circuit board and corrupt it.
I have motion sensors so I set the alarm with the window down, waved my arm about inside and no siren, just flashing hazzards, so I know my siren is US.
I believe the batteries can be purchased separately, but if you buy the kit from Volvo included are rivets to secure the arch liner and handily enough they are black capped as the originals are.
To test means going though all this, can you establish if your siren will sound?
Not sure where motion sensors will be in the convertible - perhaps on the map light panel if they are fitted?
Cheers

MikeS100 · Jun 27th, 2013, 07:57

I'm not sure about the siren actually, I don't think I've ever heard it so it may not be working. I'll try to test it later. To be honest, if its not working and that's why the led is flashing I'll probably just leave it! Sounds like it's more hassle than it's worth!

MikeS100 · Jun 27th, 2013, 19:28

Just been out and tested the alarm, turns out the procedure to check it is actually in the owners manual! Anyway, to the annoyance of my neighbours

I can confirm the alarm works exactly as the owners manual says it should. Siren seems fine and the alarm souns on both doors, bonnet, boot and motion sensors.

So I guess the next step is the alarm battery, but from that other thread it looks like the access to it is far from easy! One thing I couldn't work out, is the battery replaceable on it's own or is it built into the alarm module? I must admit though I am tempted to just leave it and let the led flash if the alarm is working ok at the moment!

Radaren · Jun 28th, 2013, 11:07

i have an Volvo s70 1998 with volvo guard. When i lock the car the little red LED flash normally. And when i trigger the alarm, the warning lights around the car start to blink, and inside the car i can hear a ticking, but i cant hear any sound from the horn. under the hood i can see a little round horn, i have tested it on the battery and i know that it works. in the cable into the horn i have tested the ground connection and i know that one is working. but how do i test the other + connection, where is that wire going? can it be an another reason why the alarm doesn't make any sound? :L

OvlovS70 · Jun 28th, 2013, 14:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeS100

So I guess the next step is the alarm battery, but from that other thread it looks like the access to it is far from easy! One thing I couldn't work out, is the battery replaceable on it's own or is it built into the alarm module? I must admit though I am tempted to just leave it and let the led flash if the alarm is working ok at the moment!

Hello,
I read somewhere that someone, possibly last year, vague or what?
contacted Rufe and he established the battery pack is/was avaliable separately. Maybe worth a try?
Cheers

Jun 26th, 2013, 22:25	#1
MikeS100 Premier Member Last Online: Mar 21st, 2024 21:39 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Sevenoaks	How to diagnose alarm fault Hi all, The C70 seems to have developed another fault, but I need some help to figure out what the fault is! The symptoms are that when you start the car the little red alarm led on top of the dash in the middle starts flashing like crazy for about 30 seconds. From what I understand that means there is a fault in the alarm/immobiliser system somewhere, and I'm sure it wasn't doing this when I first got the car. But that's it, no other symptoms, everything works as I would expect. Had the codes read by Volvo at the weekend and no codes except the roof fault which I already new about. It's just the led flashing at me! So any ideas what I can look at? Is there a way to diagnose the alarm system and see what's wrong? Thanks __________________ 1999 V70 TDi (auto) 2002 C70 T5 GT Convertible (manual) 2008 XC90 D5 Executive (auto)

Jun 26th, 2013, 22:32	#2
Thanatos VOC Member Last Online: Sep 11th, 2019 14:36 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Blackpool	sounds like the battery is flat and this will throw a code as mine does this __________________ Classicswede quote " I knew I had not done the bolts up." http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=159255

Jun 26th, 2013, 23:04	#3
MikeS100 Premier Member Last Online: Mar 21st, 2024 21:39 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Sevenoaks	Thanks for the reply, that's something I hadn't considered. The battery was new just before I bought the car and doesn't seem to have any trouble starting, but I'll take some voltage readings and see what I get. __________________ 1999 V70 TDi (auto) 2002 C70 T5 GT Convertible (manual) 2008 XC90 D5 Executive (auto)

Jun 26th, 2013, 23:12	#4
Thanatos VOC Member Last Online: Sep 11th, 2019 14:36 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Blackpool	hi mike not the car battery the alarm battery in the inner wing of the front drivers __________________ Classicswede quote " I knew I had not done the bolts up." http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=159255

Jun 27th, 2013, 07:57	#7
MikeS100 Premier Member Last Online: Mar 21st, 2024 21:39 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Sevenoaks	I'm not sure about the siren actually, I don't think I've ever heard it so it may not be working. I'll try to test it later. To be honest, if its not working and that's why the led is flashing I'll probably just leave it! Sounds like it's more hassle than it's worth! __________________ 1999 V70 TDi (auto) 2002 C70 T5 GT Convertible (manual) 2008 XC90 D5 Executive (auto)

Jun 27th, 2013, 00:40	#6
OvlovS70 Still a learning member Last Online: Aug 17th, 2022 18:49 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Ayrshire	Hello, Not too sure how to test it but certainly tricky to access. http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=174387 Apparently the batteries leak over the circuit board and corrupt it. I have motion sensors so I set the alarm with the window down, waved my arm about inside and no siren, just flashing hazzards, so I know my siren is US. I believe the batteries can be purchased separately, but if you buy the kit from Volvo included are rivets to secure the arch liner and handily enough they are black capped as the originals are. To test means going though all this, can you establish if your siren will sound? Not sure where motion sensors will be in the convertible - perhaps on the map light panel if they are fitted? Cheers

Jun 27th, 2013, 19:28	#8
MikeS100 Premier Member Last Online: Mar 21st, 2024 21:39 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Sevenoaks	Just been out and tested the alarm, turns out the procedure to check it is actually in the owners manual! Anyway, to the annoyance of my neighbours I can confirm the alarm works exactly as the owners manual says it should. Siren seems fine and the alarm souns on both doors, bonnet, boot and motion sensors. So I guess the next step is the alarm battery, but from that other thread it looks like the access to it is far from easy! One thing I couldn't work out, is the battery replaceable on it's own or is it built into the alarm module? I must admit though I am tempted to just leave it and let the led flash if the alarm is working ok at the moment! __________________ 1999 V70 TDi (auto) 2002 C70 T5 GT Convertible (manual) 2008 XC90 D5 Executive (auto)

Jun 28th, 2013, 11:07	#9
Radaren New Member Last Online: Nov 10th, 2013 14:51 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: London	No sound on 98´s70 alarm i have an Volvo s70 1998 with volvo guard. When i lock the car the little red LED flash normally. And when i trigger the alarm, the warning lights around the car start to blink, and inside the car i can hear a ticking, but i cant hear any sound from the horn. under the hood i can see a little round horn, i have tested it on the battery and i know that it works. in the cable into the horn i have tested the ground connection and i know that one is working. but how do i test the other + connection, where is that wire going? can it be an another reason why the alarm doesn't make any sound? :L

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