2001 V70 'challenges' -- could they be related?

We purchased a used 2001 V70 T5 in November. Love the car, but a few things have cropped up and I thought I would ask the experts here before I did anything. The car has about 61,000 miles but is in pristine shape.

Problem 1)

The car is possessed. Every time we lock the doors, and then get back in, it tells us the alarm has been triggered. Sometimes when I happen to be looking at the car, it really is going off. No horn, but the lights are flashing. Perhaps related, the locks are possessed too. I've taken to leaving it unlocked, but it will lock itself! I've actually heard it happen two or three times.

Problem 2)

If you are sitting still, at a light or such, the car overheats. Not knowing anything, I openned the hood while it was running and noticed the fan wasn't running. Seems like it should be. In what may be a related symptom, sometimes when the car is sitting in the driveway, the fan will come on. Even after the car hasn't been driven for hours. Now I haven't heard the fan come on recently, so perhaps it was a death symptom.

Problem 3)

When the car is cold in the morning, it really, really doesn't want to make a shift from 2 to 3. It will, very roughly, at a high rpm. Usually I put it in manual mode and do the shift myself, which it happily does. This only happens on the first drive of the morning, as it works flawlessly the rest of the day. I suspect it may just need to be serviced.

Any thoughts? Suggestions? Ideas?

I have a great fear that some central computer is shot that is wildly expensive. I'm hopeful that isn't the case. I would be happy if I could easily just disable the alarm, as I don't care about it, but do want to keep power locks and the remote fob.

Thanks in advance for any help and guidance.

Tom

Reply to
Tom Scales
Loading thread data ...

Crazy lock behavior is usually related to faulty microswitches in the door lock mechanisms. The switches may be telling the computer the door are locked when they aren't, or vice versa. The only trick is figuring out which one.

There's a recall on the fan - the controller is faulty and often turns the fan on until the battery is dead, or doesn't turn the fan on at all.

Servicing can't hurt, but often this type of problem can be fixed with a software update.

Reply to
Mike F

Mike,

thanks for the fast response. I'll find out whether the recall repair has ever been done. I'd bet it hasn't. On the microswitches, I assume you mean the ones in the door themselves that cut 'pushed in' when the door closes? What's the debugging solution? Replacing them one at a time?

Tom

Reply to
Tom Scales

Reply to
Rob Guenther

Do you have a light inside the car staying on?? This could help locate the faulty door switch. Why does the horn not sound?? Try to lock the car with the driver's window open, wait 1 minute and then open the door from the inside. Does the alarm sound now?? The retailer can tell what the last alarm cause was so maybe go see them.

There is a cooling fan recall recently launched. Go to your retailer and if you qualify, they will replace the fan no charge. But more so, notify VCNA or wherever you are, that you have just purchased this car and would like to update their database with your info so that if any thing else comes up they can get in touch with you.

More than likely it needs to have the software updated. Again, go see the retailer..

Reply to
Gaz

The microswitches of which I speak are actually inside the lock mechanisms. There aren't any of the classic plunger switches mounted on door frames as in cars of old. Both my father (2001 V70) and brother (2002 S80) have had lock mechanisms changed due to crazy door lock behaviour.

Reply to
Mike F

MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.