General: What to check for when buying an S60?

[JohanS83]

Hi guys.

Stil having One more fault at my S60

I get a warning light eatch time i start..

Saying check your tail light..

But all the lights are working.. also foglights.

Maybe somthing i best let check with a volvo dealer with a computer? Or is this expensive?

Maybe some code what needs to be adjusted?

[westbranch]

the light on ours are constantly generating that "Position light" fault message.
Have found 3 causes,
1 yes light is truly burnt out....easy
2 the light is not burnt out and works when reseated, I suspect a poor contact between bulb and frame
3 the light appears not burnt out but does not work when reseated...check with a DVM for continuity as the filament may be making contact, or 'tap' the bulb while looking through it and you will see the loose filament.

If it is not this issue check the ground for each light circuit, (DVM again) as the message is not specific enough...

[Nick0]

Check that the cruise control works - if it doesn't engage then try setting it with the clutch pedal slightly pressed - if it works then you need a new clutch position sensor (switch above the clutch pedal) cost approx £50

Check that the multi CD player loads and works, if it doesn't then you will almost certainly have to send the unit off for repair, cost approx £350

[jclark91]

Don't forget to try all the buttons on the radio.
Too late, I found that one of the station select buttons jams in the pressed position and no other station can be selected. The button won't come back out until I tap and wiggle it for ages. This causes marital strife when my better half innocently tries to select a station and presses No2..... "sorry, I thought it was No1 I've not to press'.... YAGGGHHHH

Also don't believe the dealer when he says the built-in phone just needs a sim card to make it work.

S60 SE D5 2008. Otherwise I love it.

[Aveton Gifford]

Sorry, wrong place!

[waal70]

Here's something you can do quite easily to check for any stored DTCs (Diagnostic Trouble Codes):

DTC readout:
* Press and hold "READ" on the indicator stalk
* Press rear fog light button twice, in rapid succession
* DIM-screen will list a readout of DTC codes (skip through by pressing READ)

Some of the categories will show "Checking" but may never update, this is not necessarily indicative of a problem.

The message "DTC SET" however, indicates a fault-code has been stored for the component mentioned. After removing my privacy handset, I have a "PHM DTC SET", for instance (PHM = Phone Module)

[S60D]

Another suggestion is to check if the Alarm siren is working, my 2002 S60 flashes, but no sound. This can be a problem with your insurance, so better check that as well.

[te2800]

You can tell by looking under the drivers seat if theres a black box thats the amplifier hence the prologic system

[DSB Cheshire]

Probably already covered...

Had my S60 D5 Auto 2002 a couple of weeks...what a great car, and very very comfy! Do note that rear leg room is tight and the turning circle is bizarrely not very good, so expect lots of 10 point turns lol. Also if you get a car showing alarm service on startup, pull fuse38 (dash end panel drivers side) as it more than likely will be siren battery issue (circa £250 to fix), and can cause possible main battery drain if you don't pull the fuse..
I did a lot of research as I wanted a 3rd car cheap mile cruncher...Merc C270cdi (W203) came close but they have bad rust issues...had a hot starting issue the other day when the fuel level was low, now fine... otherwise very pleased...and its my first Volvo!

[coolbeans]

Some of the posts here have me really scared. I'm 8 months into my 2005 S60 D5 facelift. One owner, history, currently on 62000miles. I have the alarm issue but everything else seems fine. I bought thinking these were a reliable car but this tread and the horrors has me slightly shaken.