Electrics: CEM removal

[Timscoff]

I have read a lot about water getting into the CEM after driving rain yesterday and today I have complete power loss coupled with weird things happening with the electrics - brake lights stay on at all times, horn goes off at random times and no power to stater.

I have removed the panels under the steering column and yes there is a fair bit of water around the module. How do I get the module out so I can send it away to be repaired? I have watched YouTube and read up on it, I can get to to the release bracket on the frame and lift it but the module doesn’t budge!

It’s a 2005 XC90 D5 Executive.

Any help gratefully received

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Timscoff

I have read a lot about water getting into the CEM after driving rain yesterday and today I have complete power loss coupled with weird things happening with the electrics - brake lights stay on at all times, horn goes off at random times and no power to stater.

I have removed the panels under the steering column and yes there is a fair bit of water around the module. How do I get the module out so I can send it away to be repaired? I have watched YouTube and read up on it, I can get to to the release bracket on the frame and lift it but the module doesn’t budge!

It’s a 2005 XC90 D5 Executive.

Any help gratefully received

you have to take the windscreen wiper arms off and the black plastic panel off outside .This will expose a lid , under there are two more screws and plugs which may be corroded . volvo do a repair kit and also an improved waterproofing casing , vital to do this too .

[4x4]

Originally Posted by Clan

volvo do a repair kit and also an improved waterproofing casing , vital to do this too .

Did Volvo fit the modified waterproof casing to any vehicles when building them and if so what years will already have them?

[oragex]

I think you can do without removing the wiper arms, try just lifting the large plastic trim - you may need new securing plastc pins. The wiper arms are seized on the studs and may he hard to remove, at least use a small puller.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by 4x4

Did Volvo fit the modified waterproof casing to any vehicles when building them and if so what years will already have them?

2007 year were sorted ...

[4x4]

Originally Posted by Clan

2007 year were sorted ...

Great to know which means my 2010 should be fine... Thank you

Originally Posted by oragex

I think you can do without removing the wiper arms, try just lifting the large plastic trim - you may need new securing plastc pins. The wiper arms are seized on the studs and may he hard to remove, at least use a small puller.

It think it would be impossible to gain access to the CEM cover without removing the entire scuttle cover which means you will need to remove the wiper arms. I tried 3 or 4 times before my wiper arms (yes I was using a puller) would come off the spindles. Last time I tried a few months ago they were still stuck solid and I have been applying a few drops of Plusgas every few weeks and letting it do its magic. Yesterday was D-Day when the arms came off allowing me access to the scuttle area to give it a clean out. I was surprised at how clean it was with no leaves but only some slight build up of debris at the rear of the heater cowling. I removed the cowling and cleaned the area then applied some silicon grease to the gasket before refitting. I then gave the scuttle cover a clean and applied GTechniq C4 as it was looking rather weather beaten.

The difficult part (for me) of removing the wiper arms using my puller was that 1. the arms were seized solid 2. it is a very tight space between the bonnet edge and the arm and although I could only just get the puller on and apply pressure the arm was so seized that the puller rod was starting to bend so I had to wait until the Plusgas did its work.

For anyone doing this job then the 4 plastic pegs along the front of the cover (where the VIN number is) you need to drive the centre pin down through and out the bottom of the peg (use a cloth to catch the pin or it will be lost forever) The two pegs (one each side) at the hinges you pull the round part straight up to release the spread allowing the peg to be lifted out

This is the puller I have


Scuttle cover removed


Debris behind heater vent cowling


Scuttle cover looking weather beaten


GTechniq C4 applied


Finished

[oragex]

While there, have a look here at 2:20 in the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzpaJ4ulRic

[aland]

After having issues with the same puller type on my V70, I bought a wiper slide hammer kit - came off in seconds then!
(Also great for rear wipers that have the washer nozzle in the middle that you can't use a puller on)