XC60 Gear Selector - Vida and DiCE advice requested

[Deanobeast]

Hi All,

Hi my name is Ben, I'm new to the Forum and many thanks if you take the time to check this post out.

In a nutshell – 'Gear selector service' notification pushed owner to replace selector – now car will not move / start out of park. I can buy this car from current owner but have no experience with Vida / DiCE. What is involved and do you recommend buying DiCE equipment and Vida for my Laptop?
XC60 - 2009 - SE LUX - D5 Auto - 2.4 L D5 - Diesel

I've been helping out at a classic car garage over lockdown and they have an XC60 which has been giving them problems for months.
The car was working fine until one day they had ‘Gear Selector Service required’ come up.

Rather than get involved with laptops etc they simply bought a replacement selector and fitted it to solve the issue.

This simply made things worse as the car would not understand it was in ‘Park’ to remove the key, or allow the car to start as it believes it’s in gear.
They've given up with trying to get it sorted as they don't have the software/tools to get things sorted. Being in West Cornwall there doesn't seem to be many people able/knowledgeable enough to help.

They just want to get rid of it, spares or repairs on eBay but I would very much like to fix the car if the only issue is programming. It’s up for sale finishing afternoon of 14th Oct ’20.

It sounds like the gear selector needs to be paired to the car using Vida Software.
Looking through the Forums I can’t see anything clear about this issue or how to resolve it.

Is it worth getting Vida Software for my Laptop and buying the DiCE connector? If so which DiCe connector is the correct one to buy?
Has anyone faced this issue before?

I’ll post my progress for any other people facing the same problems.

Again many thanks for your time, Ben

[b1mcp]

If the problem is that the new Gear Selector needs to be programmed to the car then Vida/Dice would not be able to do that.

However, Vida would help you in diagnosing the problem. The hacked version of Vida and the clone Dice units available essentially give you a diagnostic system, and allows some configuration and resetting parameters.

There is a software download capability within Vida but that is only available to subscribers (i.e. Dealers and larger indies).

There is a forum member who sells Vida/Dice and you could check with him for more details. Here's his sales thread

https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=253191

[Deanobeast]

b1mcp many thanks for the reply!

I will send a Message to this member and see what his opinion would be.

I really appreciate you taking the time and have a great evening.

[cheshired5]

A Dice/VCX tool and Vida is always a good idea for anyone intending to work on a compatible Volvo model.

I haven't come across this particular issue though, professional mechanics who have the car in front of them are no closer to solving the problem and someone is prepared to take a financial hit to get rid.

In this situation, I would temper my expectations as to how easy and quick a fix this will be especially as new parts have been fitted but a fault code should be available to be read and Vida will contain an explanation.
You will also be able to view data like the gear positions the TCM thinks is currently selected.
If you have a mismatch between actual position and data in the TCM or BCM, it may become obvious as to why the fault is there.

[Deanobeast]

Hi cheshired5!

Thanks for taking the time here.

The chaps at the garage aren't big into electronics as they specialise in classic cars. They've been let down by a number of travelling electronic diagnostic specialists so they've lost interest in the repairs. Sadly it's sat unused for about 6 months now.

I'm keen for giving it a go with with your software and DiCE units if you are still providing them.

Ben

[cheshired5]

Originally Posted by Deanobeast

I'm keen for giving it a go with with your software and DiCE units if you are still providing them.

I'll have a limited number of VCX soon. Pm sent.

[Moose Test]

Personally, I think in all likelihood there is no "fault" to be found here, not in the traditional sense at least, other than VIDA might well show that the GSM is not contactable. Assuming that the replacement unit has been properly connected (ie. no wiring connectors left unattached), then it's a software problem and you won't be able to correct that yourself using hacked versions of VIDA.

I'd put money on the gear selector module (GSM) not having the correct version of its software image loaded. Either because your module is second hand, and is loaded with a version relevant to the previous vehicle, or because it's new and contains a factory image which isn't compatible with the current patch level of your car.

Basic cabling checks aside, I'd have it recovered to a Volvo dealer and have them program it. You won't be able to do that yourself. You should also be aware that not all salvaged modules can always be reprogramed appropriately. IF it is a second hand part then there is a possibility that it is simply an incompatible version (incorrect firmware) and the problem can't be rectified.

That said, if you plan on owning the car, you should still get VIDA anyway as it will be invaluable for future problems/maintenance.

[Deanobeast]

Hi Moose Test,

I would be interested in what's caused the 'Gear Selector Service Required' in the first place. I believe the original selector is still available but which is which might be lost to time by now. Maybe the VIDA may be able to identify this.

"Basic cabling checks aside, I'd have it recovered to a Volvo dealer and have them program it. You won't be able to do that yourself."

Sadly, that's the biggest problem we've got right now. Being in West Cornwall the nearest proper Dealer is a good three-hour trip away in Devon. The nearest Volvo approved garage has already drawn a blank (over the phone, they cannot re-program either). Hiring a trailer and trailer vehicle might be a bit much for the diagnosis. Then again maybe buying a dead car would likewise be a bit ambitious.

In a perfect world I can Diagnose the issues and drive it myself! Then again if it’s working well I may well be better off to sell it on.

Thanks for the reply! If the car is available, I may have a go just to see what happens. Worst case scenario maybe breaking the car for parts would be more worthwhile?

Ben

[Moose Test]

If you search on these forums for other instances of "Gear Selector Service Required", you'll notice that in a lot of cases, the vehicle affected remained drivable (albeit with degraded functionality - no manual gear selection, missing gear position indication, lights off etc.). A common cause appears to be connectors becoming undone (or left disconnected during service), or wires becoming trapped and damaged (including the flexible flat cable between the control module and the led selector lights). I wouldn't mind betting that dumping a cup of coffee or sticky soft drink into the central tunnel could be a cause too..

On that basis, I suggest that you try to have the original selector returned. If it's still around it should be easy to distinguish too (again, on the basis that the majority seem to still work, somewhat), if they've become confused; it will be the one which, when properly reconnected, allows you to start and use the car.

Got to be worth a try, and if you can get it moving, take it and the "new" part to a Volvo franchised dealer. Bear in mind that they probably won't be interested in trying very hard to fit a second hand part, if that's what has been purchased here. Others on the forum have suggested that the cost of a new part has been around 250-300. I still think that's likely a better option than selling for scrap value but then, I've not seen the car concerned nor know of any other issues it might have.

Who knows, if you're really lucky, you might check the old unit and find the cabling intact (remove the 'chrome' top trim and look underneath for the flat connector cable) and when you correctly reconnect it, it may just work!

[b1mcp]

No disrespect to the garage if they’re a classic specialist, but it is often the case that inexperienced mechanics will see a fault code that mentions a sensor or other component and immediately replace that part.

A fault code or message only provides symptoms, not root cause. So, if the fault says gear selector issue, it’s up to the mechanic to work out what that issue is. Could be the component, could be the wiring, could be conflicting inputs from other components.

As an example, I’ve worked on a couple of Jaguars in the last 6 months that reported a Gearbox fault message on the dash. On one, the problem was actually the Turbo Actuator (Jag X Type), and the other it was an ABS sensor (Jag S Type). No gearbox issues at all. There were other codes from diagnostics that provided clues to guide me.

It’s down to how the electronics in the car interpret signals (or lack of) from different components and how they report that, and how the mechanic diagnoses root cause using additional tests (Live Data, electrical tests etc.). That’s where Vida would be invaluable.