ABS ECU Repair

[djwazza68]

My V70R has all the symptoms of dry joints in the TRACS control unit. Can anyone either recommend a good repairer or point me at someone with a replacement unit for sale. There's a guy on eBay offering a £40 repair option; does anyone know if he's got a good reputation?

Many thanks.

[rudi dudi]

Can you solder?
If so it's really an easy job and will take you less than an hour.

[sdg1970]

Don't be fooled that it's always the ECU. I had mine re-soldered and it did nothing. I'm still working on the problem...

[RollingThunder]

Originally Posted by djwazza68

My V70R has all the symptoms of dry joints in the TRACS control unit. Can anyone either recommend a good repairer or point me at someone with a replacement unit for sale. There's a guy on eBay offering a £40 repair option; does anyone know if he's got a good reputation?

Many thanks.

First thing is to check the fault codes to make sure it is the ECU. If it is, then as rudi-dudi says, its a straightforward job to re-solder the two pins that usually cause this.

[rudi dudi]

Originally Posted by RollingThunder

First thing is to check the fault codes to make sure it is the ECU. If it is, then as rudi-dudi says, its a straightforward job to re-solder the two pins that usually cause this.

Exacty £40 is ridiculous to reflow a few pins.If you can solder it really is less than an hour work including getting the case apart and a tea break

[djwazza68]

Thanks guys, I'll pull it apart tomorrow and resolder the joints. Is it obvious which are faulty and I take it there are some usual subjects?

[rudi dudi]

It's normally the power pins.Do a search on here plenty of pictorials regarding it.
Best way I've found to open the units is run a Dremel thpe tool around the edge with a fibre cutting disc in it.Run it at a failly high speed so it doesn't bog down..
To reseal it use some silicone.Ii you use 2 rows of electrical tape you can smoth the mastic ,remove the tape and have a nearly invisible join

[RollingThunder]

This isn't the guide I used but it is very similar. It was the power connector joints that were the issue on my 850R - but this guide shows you all the likely culprits

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/fo...ic.php?t=12651

HTH

[amazondean]

Originally Posted by RollingThunder

First thing is to check the fault codes to make sure it is the ECU. If it is, then as rudi-dudi says, its a straightforward job to re-solder the two pins that usually cause this.

Unfortunately the fault codes wont be of much use because if there is a fault in the ECU the codes can tell you anything. The chances are it is the ECU. You can use a 4mm socket to take out the four screws holding the unit if your really careful. If it is very tight you want to buy the proper reverse torque driver to do the job before you round off the heads.

To say it is easy when you haven't had one of these to bits before is not quite right. It can be tricky and often there are other joints that may need doing. I found that I needed to look through a high powered magnifying glass to see the job properly as well. Using a Dremel is a good idea but a fine toothed hacksaw will do the job if you're careful. Just don't go too deep otherwise you may cut through the metal rings that the four screws go through.

The problem is that you can't always tell if the joints are dry or not, so you might find you will need to take it to bits again. Don't re seal it until you've had it in the car and tested it.

Good luck

[djwazza68]

My ability with a soldering iron is questionable, but I did take it apart with a Dremel being careful with the depth of cuts. I cut through the metal sockets cleanly and can reassemble and seal as required.

I took one look at the size of the pins and the board and sent the unit off to the repair guy in Lanarkshire. Hopefully I'll get it back in some form of serviceable condition in the next few days.

Will let you know if it now works and whether he is a bon oeuf, or not!