Computer failure and forced stop while driving

Kourou · Aug 17th, 2016, 13:53

Ok, this could have been not just scarier but potentially fatal at higher speeds. Concerns a 62 XC60 R-Design Lux Nav (2013 model IIRC).

As a bit of background which I feel is likely to be relevant, a few days prior, City Safety kicked in as I entered a parking space. I felt at the time that it had been ultra-sensitive as there was some way to go, but as the end of the space was a bush, it could have been one branch was prominent, who knows. I don't recall City Safety kicking in ever before (perhaps once when almost new?). Anyway, that was that and I put it to the back of my mind...

On Sunday, I turned right across traffic (fortunately oncoming traffic was stopped at the lights) and the power steering failed, so I steered as best I could to a stop as I couldn't make the turn. Errors came on the screen which I think concerned brakes, power steering, possibly park assist (not that the car has this feature afaik unless that means parking sensors).

Turning the engine off and then on again appeared to solve the problem, but this made me nervous especially with my two daughters in the car, so I turned gingerly for home, less than a km away thinking I switch to our second car and take it in to the dealer on Monday.

Halfway there, it happened again, and this time not only did the engine not restart but brakes were locked on, and just about every error that could be displayed popped up, starting with brake related warnings, but including air bags and all sorts.

Car is 4 years old but I have a service plan so I called for roadside assistance, who eventually guessed the main computer had a problem hearing from the sensors responsible for all those warnings, but said he couldn't fix. As a result, he called in a tow truck, and we eventually used skids to get the car on the back (with brakes still locked on it could not roll).

The only related issue I could find is from 2009:

http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/archiv...p/t-68352.html

Does anyone know anything about this sort of problem? Volvo in Sheffield have had the car since Sunday and seem to have done very little bar have a quick look at it, and are now advising we may not get it back before tomorrow eve when we go on holiday.

Separately...

Our second car is too small for the trip with two tiny kids and their kit, so we are likely to end up hiring a car for 8 days, an expense I have only just discovered is our responsibility, despite the dealer taking days to even get round to looking at it.

If I'd known the car loan was only for 3 days (and that the dealer can take as long as they like with the repair), that I would be responsible for a software failure like this, and that the dealer would take so long to even look at the car, I'd have foregone the loan car until the holiday to reduce the cost, and looked for a dealer (or even 3rd-party) who could fit the car in sooner, but hey-ho. In theory I should know what the service plan comprises, but I signed up ages ago, and would not have expected a repair to take so long anyway. It should have been their responsibility to brief me on my entitlements as soon as I reported the issue.

I say this as a warning to anyone with a similar plan, as I was led to believe through omission and ambiguity that the service plan would cover both the repair and the car hire until fixed.

Anyway, the main issue is the extremely dangerous computer failure, which at high speed or without traffic lights could been fatal. If it can happen to me, it could happen to any other XC60 owner. For that reason and because we really need the car back (and to be able to trust it again), I'd love to hear any advice or similar experiences?

IainG · Aug 17th, 2016, 15:07

Hi
Might be worth checking your alternator.
Mine failed the other day. Power steering went as I backed into the drive, then all the dash lit up and the engine shut down. Mine is a V50 05 plate. New alternator solved all.
Systems are very reliant on a voltage within quite tight tolerances
Iain

benr7310 · Aug 17th, 2016, 16:38

Alternator.

When voltage is low the first thing it does is start shutting down 'non essentials' like brake assist etc.

Happened on my s40

Aug 17th, 2016, 13:53	#1
Kourou New Member Last Online: Nov 2nd, 2023 13:56 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Sometown	Computer failure and forced stop while driving Ok, this could have been not just scarier but potentially fatal at higher speeds. Concerns a 62 XC60 R-Design Lux Nav (2013 model IIRC). As a bit of background which I feel is likely to be relevant, a few days prior, City Safety kicked in as I entered a parking space. I felt at the time that it had been ultra-sensitive as there was some way to go, but as the end of the space was a bush, it could have been one branch was prominent, who knows. I don't recall City Safety kicking in ever before (perhaps once when almost new?). Anyway, that was that and I put it to the back of my mind... On Sunday, I turned right across traffic (fortunately oncoming traffic was stopped at the lights) and the power steering failed, so I steered as best I could to a stop as I couldn't make the turn. Errors came on the screen which I think concerned brakes, power steering, possibly park assist (not that the car has this feature afaik unless that means parking sensors). Turning the engine off and then on again appeared to solve the problem, but this made me nervous especially with my two daughters in the car, so I turned gingerly for home, less than a km away thinking I switch to our second car and take it in to the dealer on Monday. Halfway there, it happened again, and this time not only did the engine not restart but brakes were locked on, and just about every error that could be displayed popped up, starting with brake related warnings, but including air bags and all sorts. Car is 4 years old but I have a service plan so I called for roadside assistance, who eventually guessed the main computer had a problem hearing from the sensors responsible for all those warnings, but said he couldn't fix. As a result, he called in a tow truck, and we eventually used skids to get the car on the back (with brakes still locked on it could not roll). The only related issue I could find is from 2009: http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/archiv...p/t-68352.html Does anyone know anything about this sort of problem? Volvo in Sheffield have had the car since Sunday and seem to have done very little bar have a quick look at it, and are now advising we may not get it back before tomorrow eve when we go on holiday. Separately... Our second car is too small for the trip with two tiny kids and their kit, so we are likely to end up hiring a car for 8 days, an expense I have only just discovered is our responsibility, despite the dealer taking days to even get round to looking at it. If I'd known the car loan was only for 3 days (and that the dealer can take as long as they like with the repair), that I would be responsible for a software failure like this, and that the dealer would take so long to even look at the car, I'd have foregone the loan car until the holiday to reduce the cost, and looked for a dealer (or even 3rd-party) who could fit the car in sooner, but hey-ho. In theory I should know what the service plan comprises, but I signed up ages ago, and would not have expected a repair to take so long anyway. It should have been their responsibility to brief me on my entitlements as soon as I reported the issue. I say this as a warning to anyone with a similar plan, as I was led to believe through omission and ambiguity that the service plan would cover both the repair and the car hire until fixed. Anyway, the main issue is the extremely dangerous computer failure, which at high speed or without traffic lights could been fatal. If it can happen to me, it could happen to any other XC60 owner. For that reason and because we really need the car back (and to be able to trust it again), I'd love to hear any advice or similar experiences?

Aug 17th, 2016, 16:38	#3
benr7310 Master Member Last Online: Dec 29th, 2023 17:48 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Thurrock	Alternator. When voltage is low the first thing it does is start shutting down 'non essentials' like brake assist etc. Happened on my s40 __________________ V60 D5 215 (pre-facelift) Ex-S40 Sport 2.0d with 180bhp & 300lbft

Aug 17th, 2016, 15:07	#2
IainG Premier Member Last Online: Today 15:53 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Plymouth	Hi Might be worth checking your alternator. Mine failed the other day. Power steering went as I backed into the drive, then all the dash lit up and the engine shut down. Mine is a V50 05 plate. New alternator solved all. Systems are very reliant on a voltage within quite tight tolerances Iain

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