Volvo AWD S80 Forum

INDEX FOR 10/2025(CURRENT) INDEX FOR 4/2002 S80 INDEX

[<<]  [>>]


THREADED THREADED EXPANDED FLAT PRINT ALL
MESSAGES IN THIS THREAD




  REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

Dash cluster advice needed S80

So, I am another victim of S80 dash cluster failure. I bought a used one from a car of the model year, installed it, but it doesn't seem to be working. Guages don't work, no highbeam, but the window, AC, sunroof and wipers function fully. Any advice. I have just unplugged the negative battery terminal in hopes that if I leave it disconnected for a 1/2 hour or so, something will reset allowing this POS to start functioning correctly.

I will say, as an owner of Volvos since age 20, I have never owned a worse car than this 2002 S80. I have owned and rebuilt 122S's, P1800s, 240s, 850s, 740s, 760s and all were great cars. And they all ran for over 250K miles. EVERYTHING is breaking on my S80 and it began at 100K and I can't seem to get ahead of the failing parts. The chinsy window mechanisms had to be replaced, the center console just fell apart, the control arms need to be replaced every spring due to an apparent weak bushing (bushing has a split in it which results in the bushing failing prematurely). It is all I can do to keep this thing in alignment. When I accelerate it pulls right and when I decelerate it pulls left. I hate this thing. I just want to get the thing working and get rid of it without having to spend $450 at Xemodum which is the price they quoted me with shipping to repair my dash cluster. PLEASE HELP>








  REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE Replies to this message will be emailed.    PRINT   SAVE 

Dash cluster advice needed S80

Well, by way of update, I tinkered with the removed DIM hoping to get it working, but to no avail. I sent it to XeModex and they repaired it and it works perfectly. In the meantime, i put it up on the lift and changed EVERY wear part in the front end. The pulling upon acceleration was apparently due to wear in the bushings at the top of the strut assembly (the metal bushings mounted in the black rubber piece in the top mount). The car now drives great. Yesterday, my ignition key wouldn't turn past the first or "I" position. Long story short, using information I gleaned from a ignition key removal tutorial on YouTube at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzUduzjR9W4

and from the Matthew's volvo site at:

http://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/key-wont-turn-in-the-ignition-past-i-need-help-asap.html

I was able to remove the bottom shiny metal plate after some Dremel tool work to free the edges, I popped the plate off and found the offending broken guide piece that seems to fail and jam the lock mechanism. In the process, I removed the conical spring and tapped the plate back in place. The key now starts the car and I save the $300 cost of a new ignition key assembly plus the cost of programming and labor at Volvo, most likely a total savings of $600-700. We will see how long I can go before something else fails. The car only has 137K miles on it, but doesn't seem to be all that durable. I am glad I did at full transmission flush at 70 K miles as I would probably be looking at a new auto tranny as well.








  REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

Dash cluster advice needed S80

As Klaus says, the DIM has to have the proper coding in order to "talk" to your car. Apparently the replacement you have doesn't carry the proper code.

Let me offer up a less expensive option. Get the original DIM in your hand and call Southern Vo-vo at 1-888-757-8686. Tell them the year and model of your car. They will ask you to read off certain numbers that are printed on the back of the DIM. Those numbers contain the secret code. If they have a compatible DIM it will cost you far less than a Xemodex rebuild, and they guarantee it to work for a nominal period of time or your money back.

If Southern Vo-vo can't supply one, try Erie Volvo 1-800-441-3743.

I did this with my 2003 V70. It cost me arounf $120 incl shipping and it worked like a charm except that the DIM retained the odometer mileage from the donor car - but who cares?








  REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE Replies to this message will be emailed.    PRINT   SAVE 

Dash cluster advice needed S80

Since I know nothing about Volvo AWD's. Are you telling me that this Cluster failure is the same on the V70's ( 2002)?
A friend just told me that his Cluster died so here I am looking to the BB for help for him.
He says his whole dash was out, A smack on the Dash brought back the Speedometer in bits and pieces.. I guess it's an LCD display?

--
'75 Jeep CJ5 345Hp ChevyPwrd, two motorcycles, '85 Pickup: The '89 Volvo is the newest vehicle I own. it wasn't Volvos safety , it was Longevity that sold me http://home.lyse.net/brox/TonyPage4.html http://cleanflametrap.com/tony/








  REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE Replies to this message will be emailed.    PRINT   SAVE 

Dash cluster advice needed S80

The early DIM (driver information module[instrument panel]) is known to overheat and mess up badly. And, yes, it is programmed to work with the ECM and other computers. A larger heatsink is needed.

I have yet to hear of an XemodeX DIM fail, so I point people there. If there is a junkyard version that might be compatible, great, but the odometer disparity does bother me a lot.








  REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE Replies to this message will be emailed.    PRINT   SAVE 

Dash cluster advice needed S80

Thanks, I will pass this along.
--
'75 Jeep CJ5 345Hp ChevyPwrd, two motorcycles, '85 Pickup: The '89 Volvo is the newest vehicle I own. it wasn't Volvos safety , it was Longevity that sold me http://home.lyse.net/brox/TonyPage4.html http://cleanflametrap.com/tony/








  REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE Replies to this message will be emailed.    PRINT   SAVE 

Dash cluster advice needed S80

The DIM is programmed to your car. But, try this: when you plug the battery back in, turn the key to position I and wait for the odometer to show the miles. It usually takes a few seconds if that works. Otherwise, send your module to Xemodex.com and get it fixed.

As you are now so well aware, the S80 was a test mule for all of the new electronics. I would avoid them from 1999-2002. Along with the T6 engine.








  REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

Dash cluster advice needed S80

$450 at Xemodex is a good deal. My wife paid $1800 for a DIM at the dealer for an 03 XC70. That was before we found out about Xemodex thanks to Klaus







<< < > >>



©Jarrod Stenberg 1997-2022. All material except where indicated.


All participants agree to these terms.

Brickboard.com is not affiliated with nor sponsored by AB Volvo, Volvo Car Corporation, Volvo Cars of North America, Inc. or Ford Motor Company. Brickboard.com is a Volvo owner/enthusiast site, similar to a club, and does not intend to pose as an official Volvo site. The official Volvo site can be found here.