Drivers Information Module (DIM) diy repair

[DaveL485]

Thanks everyone, about to strip mine apart. Fingers crossed!

[GustafRG]

Hi,

I am actually about to buy a '03 XC70 where the clock-set knob seems to be broken, resulting in the clock running free, "clockwise".

I saw your post and just registered on the forum to be able to view the attached images, but as i registered, the links in your post disappeared(?)

I'm an experienced electronics hobbyist, and want to know what I´m up against should i buy this car.

Best regards,

Gustaf Rylander Gerdeman

[Brendan W]

My 03V70 has been scrolling the clock intermittantly for three years. It happens only when starting the car hot such as after refuelling etc. I interpret this as the beginning of DIM failure and expect that when or if it gets worse I will be able to send it for repair for less than €100 including postage.

[Marmitespreader]

Originally Posted by GustafRG

Hi,

I am actually about to buy a '03 XC70 where the clock-set knob seems to be broken, resulting in the clock running free, "clockwise".

I saw your post and just registered on the forum to be able to view the attached images, but as i registered, the links in your post disappeared(?)

I'm an experienced electronics hobbyist, and want to know what I´m up against should i buy this car.

Best regards,

Gustaf Rylander Gerdeman

Hi
The PDF may be what you are looking for.
The forum database was changed some time ago, so all pics, pdf's etc prior, are lost
Jim

http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=143579

[Marmitespreader]

Forgot to add, & I'm sure you're well aware, but if you fry the Motorola chip, the DIM is irreparable.

[DaveL485]

So my attempt failed miserably due to the incredibly small connections and the size of my soldering iron....too big.

I bit the bullet and after careful research went for this.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=111108460854

(Seller profile for when link expires http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/revtronic-...p2047675.l2559 )

£110 is a lot but it is warrantied for 12 months and a tiny amount compared to a new DIM. These guys seemed experienced and had good feedback, with off ebay reports looking promising.

I sent the dash off special delivery Saturday morning. It was back when I got back from work TODAY (Tuesday). Thats a rapid service alright!
Have refitted and it's perfect. Initial reports are excellent....apparently there is a power supply thats been replaced as part of the service (may be a contributing factor in the original issues?)

Inconsequential really but there was a handwritten note included, saying "thanks for your custom" on return, which I felt was a nice touch.

Highly recommend these guys (Revtronic UK) for those of you unable to repair your own DIM.

[joser]

how are you keithC70 I was trying to see if you still have he picture for the dim repair I have a 03 s60 with the cluster going on and off randomly if you can please post the pictures again I would be thankful

[smarzigliano]

instead of going crazy trying one thing or the other - hit or miss....I looked at ebay and in the USA this seems to be the place that will
fix up the panel in no time. I wish I had looked earlier instead of suffering.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Volvo-S60-DI...3d4365&vxp=mtr

$270 which includes ship back.

[Marmitespreader]

Originally Posted by smarzigliano

instead of going crazy trying one thing or the other - hit or miss....I looked at ebay and in the USA this seems to be the place that will
fix up the panel in no time. I wish I had looked earlier instead of suffering.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Volvo-S60-DI...3d4365&vxp=mtr

$270 which includes ship back.

This is the chap

[willhobbs01]

I resoldered various components on the DIM three times, and each time it worked for months, but then something came loose. The last time I did it, I looked very closely under a magnifying lens and found a couple of pins that looked like they didn't have any solder. Touching these two up with solder fixed the problem. However, after three more months of reliable operation, the DIM went dim again.

Although fixing it yourself gives you bragging rights, I finally decided enough was enough. This time, I decided to go the Xemodex rebuilt DIM route, and I'm really pleased.

For $450, I got the DIM, plugged it in, and it didn't read the CEM mileage. Maybe it was user error, or something, but it came up with 128 miles, which Xemodex says is the default if it can't read the CEM. I told them what I wanted the mileage to read, and they shipped a preprogrammed unit to me overnight. The funny thing is, this time it read the CEM, which had a slightly different value than what I estimated. Anyway, I now have a DIM with a lifetime warranty, so that is one annoyance off my list.

Tony, their technician, is a joy to work with. I highly recommend going that route, if, like me, you've tired of the DIY process-- there are too many pins to make sure you got them all. This eliminates the problem altogether. The only caveat is that they don't send instructions with the DIM--make sure you read the instructions on their web site-- simple, but apparently not foolproof.