General: Common S60 Problems - Solutions Only

[Chuck]

Originally Posted by Chuck

So a couple of days ago I got myself an S60 D5 on an 02 plate. A couple of faults came up on day 1, and I searched this (and other) forums for help. Both problems are common, with plenty of owners asking for help; but if they ever found a solution, they didn't want to share. But not me. I've found the solutions and I'm going to blab.
Problem 1.
Power steering fluid reservoir leaking.
Very common on older cars, with reports of leakage from the cap, the pipes, and even the seams. Mine was losing about half a litre over 200 ish miles, and looked like it was leaking from everywhere; the top, the pipes, the seams; all covered in fluid. Using Newtons long established theory- I started at the top. I removed the rubber gasket under the cap, turned it over and put it back. It now holds pressure and doesn't leak. The fluid on the seams and pipes is what ran down until met an obstacle, where it settled. This may be a temporary fix, but I've had a temporary fence for nearly 20 years and it's still holding up.

Problem 2
Drivers door not locking.

All the others work, but not the drivers door lock. So...
I pulled the surround from the pop up lock and sprayed a load of 3 in 1 oil in the hole. Problem solved.

Now y'all owe me two solutions. When I find the problems, I'll be back to collect.

UPDATE

I've just been out to the car and it appears the door lock fix was a little too temporary even for me- it's stopped working again. So it's door panel off job at the weekend. Hopefully the brief repair is an indication of where the fault may lie. I shall return.

[Chuck]

Originally Posted by Chuck

UPDATE

I've just been out to the car and it appears the door lock fix was a little too temporary even for me- it's stopped working again. So it's door panel off job at the weekend. Hopefully the brief repair is an indication of where the fault may lie. I shall return.

UPDATED UPDATE

After the last update I squirted more 3 in one down the lock pin and left overnight. It's worked ever since. I reckon that's this one solved (albeit without knowing the specific cause of the problem).

[Chuck]

It seems that by curing the reservoir leak (gasket in cap), which allowed the power steering system to keep its pressure, I exposed the bigger problem; weak/ruptured seal in the steering rack. Every time time it rained I was being chased by a dead rainbow. The only cure was a new rack; £500 fitted. There's no cheap fix for these I'm afraid, the rack's either good or it's goosed, and it won't cure itself.

[Djbutler]

Originally Posted by hsnav

Actually, you can find the car maker, and email them a copy of car reg and a picture of the nut face -they will post a new key - think it cost me about £15. Sorry, but no details of who they where-try Google.

www.mcgard.de

[Lawrence]

Originally Posted by Alpha206

Lights not flashing when locking car with remote - check all doors, bonnet & boot are fully shut; often opening boot/bonnet & slamming shut fixes this!

I have a problem with the central locking not working and slamming the boot lid shut seems to fix this temporarily. Ay idea why and can a permanent solution be found?
Thanks

[baldeagle]

Originally Posted by Alpha206

Thanks to "oilburner" for this one:

"One shot" function causing window to get part way up and then "bounce" down:

Try performing a reset of the UEM (Upper Electronic Module), this controls the door locks and window operation:

- Close all of the doors and bonnet.
- Key in position II engine not running.
- Hold both the driver window and passenger window switches in the driver door panel in the closed or up position for 5 to 8 seconds after the windows are closed.
- Release buttons.
- Remove the ignition key.
- Operated the remote twice. lock/unlock lock/unlock.
This will reset the UEM brain. This can correct faulty operation of the sunroof and/or erratic door lock function.

Worked for mine. I had the same problem after the electric mirror switch was replaced.

EDIT: This may or may not wipe out the settings for the auto-lock, I do not know for certain as mine doesn't do it!

You could also try locking and unlocking the car via the drivers door lock, this might do the same thing - but may also loose your settings, unless the auto-lock is controlled via another of the car's computers - it could be, I don't know for sure.

Thanks for the information, I have reset the UEM but the driver's window still bounces when it reaches the closed position. I've applied silicon spray lubricant to the window edges but still no luck. The GOOD NEWS is that the electric sunroof now works!

[baldeagle]

Originally Posted by andybird

If you have locking wheel nuts ('bolts' to be totally accurate!!) get rid of them before one shears off and leaves you in a total mess.

Trust me on this.....

I couldn't agree more. I had to resort to a tungsten carbide cutter and air drill in order to remove a shattered McGard locking bolt

[tphilly]

Originally Posted by Trevor Langfield

The engine starter is totally dead when the ignition key is turned on.

Solution;
Either have someone hold the key operated whilst you tap the starter motor body with a relatively heavy bar (or similar)
Or
Tap the starter motor body with a relatively heavy bar and then retry starting the car.

Obviously replacing the starter motor would be the best solution but as this problems tends to happen randomly and only on rare occasions, the above solutions have kept me going for over 5 years at no expense.

I have had a problem with mine that someone in the past had bodged the live cable going into the starter solenoid and had to be wiggled slightly to start.

[barrybritcher]

Originally Posted by Alpha206

Thanks to "oilburner" for this one:

"One shot" function causing window to get part way up and then "bounce" down:

Try performing a reset of the UEM (Upper Electronic Module), this controls the door locks and window operation:

- Close all of the doors and bonnet.
- Key in position II engine not running.
- Hold both the driver window and passenger window switches in the driver door panel in the closed or up position for 5 to 8 seconds after the windows are closed.
- Release buttons.
- Remove the ignition key.
- Operated the remote twice. lock/unlock lock/unlock.

This will reset the UEM brain. This can correct faulty operation of the sunroof and/or erratic door lock function.

Worked for mine. I had the same problem after the electric mirror switch was replaced.

EDIT: This may or may not wipe out the settings for the auto-lock, I do not know for certain as mine doesn't do it!

You could also try locking and unlocking the car via the drivers door lock, this might do the same thing - but may also loose your settings, unless the auto-lock is controlled via another of the car's computers - it could be, I don't know for sure.

Doesn't work, is this for particular models? S60 2001 SE T5 Auto

[barrybritcher]

Originally Posted by John_C

Very frequently asked question at the moment : Fuel cap cover doesn't lock with the rest of the car.

It is supposed to be like this, wait 10-15 minutes and if it STILL hasn't locked then you have a problem. The idea is you can secure your car on the petrol station forecourt and still have time to fill the tank before the flap locks.

Incorrect. It's supposed to lock after 15 SECONDS.