V50 Electrics : My Anti-skid Service Required story – so far …

[ukojesita]

Easter time, the message pops up on the dash followed by the Brake Failure message and the car stops. After some investigation, I noticed that the events were always accompanied by a sudden spike in the battery voltage. I had the battery tested and it was suggested to me to replace it. I also replaced the alternator and cleaned the CEM contacts and fuses.

Two months with no problems; however, the issue is back.

When I start the car, the battery voltage, as reported by VIDA, is around 12.4V. Too low in my opinion. Once I get the car moving, the voltage is all over the place (between 12 and 15V). Then, the Anti-skid is disabled by the car (yellow triangle on the dash) and the voltage stabilises at 13.9V (no matter how fast I drive). Tens of DTC codes stored, mostly no communication between the individual modules; when I clear them, the voltage drops again to 12.4V.

Any suggestions (apart from take it to Volvo) would be greatly appreciated.

[srcholmes]

I have only one suggestion...

My voltage was all over the place to the point where the car would not start. There were all sorts of error messages coming up. I called the RAC and he came and had a look.

He found nothing consistent in the electricity and confirmed that it was all over the place. He spent a good hour and a half checking and looking (it was a quiet day obviously).

Then he took out a long metal pole, and a mallet. He put the pole against the alternator and whacked it with the mallet - hard.

When I turned the key after that the car started and all of the errors stopped. The RAC guy said I needed to change the alternator as it will break soon. I know that you've changed yours already but you could try hitting it!

I haven't had a chance to change the alternator yet but I do occasionally get Anti-skid message come up...

[mikrt]

I've had exactly the same issue intermittently over the last 2.5 years of ownership.

Usually with the key unable to start engine or be removed.

After 10 mins or so it usually kicks back into life and then OK for a few weeks, or as recently, a few months. Until last week, when it wouldn't come back.

I was driving home after a 12 hour night shift and stuck inconveniently half on/of the road, I called RAC (Just gone 7 am) I was told no help for at least 90 mins.

I did some googling in the meantime and found a relevant video on YouTube.

Basically to check the fuse box connections under the glove-box. I gave them all a good wriggle, tried again (been her for a good 45 mins by now), and it started.

Called RAC to cancel call-out and it's been fine since.

I'm guessing it's a loose plug somewhere which maybe for a split second disconnects and reconnects, enabling a restart after some minutes, but the last time it didn't reconnect until I helped it.

[Petey80]

Does sound like a duff battery

[Resonance]

I had this anti-skid message as well as the full blackpool illuminations also. I did a full contact clean up of the CEM which resolved the issues for a few weeks, but the light show returned. Took a punt and replaced the battery a few weeks ago, and touch wood, no light shows returned. Albeit I am hearing a click coming out of the dashboard which I never heard before. Not sure what or why that would happen now after the installation of a new battery but hey ho, am counting the blessings.

[Cornish Expat]

I had the same issue, changed the alternator, cleaned the cem connectors but kept the same battery. I did clean the battery terminals and earth connectors with a wire brush as advised by this forum and so far haven’t had an issue (touch wood).