Newly-purchased 2011 Volvo S60 D3 - electrical gremlins

Newly-purchased 2011 Volvo S60 D3 - electrical gremlins

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Ovlovs Dog

Original Poster:

19 posts

47 months

Friday 18th December 2020
quotequote all
Afternoon sports fans.

Long-time lurker, first (on this account; it's been eons since I've posted and I've usefully forgotten my prior log-in details, so starting from scratch). As per title, I've recently acquired a 2011 Volvo S60 D3 as a replacement for a very ailing, furlong-in-the-tooth BMW 525i (E61), which was purchased in February this and swiftly proved itself to be an absolute hound, but that's another gripe for another day. So far, I'm thoroughly enjoying the comfy seats, excellent stereo and the 5-cyl thrum that gives an otherwise drab repmobile a bit of zest. However, much to my chagrin, there seems to be a couple of electrical blights that are making me twitch. Details as follows:

- the RR passenger door is proving obstinate, in that it won't unlock with the other doors and requires the interior handle to open, at which point it won't lock again with the other doors until an as-yet undetermined point in the future. Confusing, to say the least.

- the stop-start seems to think that the battery is forever charging and won't function. Given that I stuck a new stop-start battery in about a week ago, I'm casting doubt on this and wondering what's really up with it.

- the follow-me-home lights won't come on with lock and unlock, despite going into the infotainment menus to set this up. Wouldn't be an issue, only for the fact that the work car park's surface is more pitted than an Angolan pasture and I've not eaten enough carrots to avoid the potholes therein so lighted assistance would be welcomed.

As I read this back to myself, I can see that these are the firstest of first-world-problems and really, I could live with them without a second's thought. However, given that I'm still in therapy from the wallet-sodomy of the E61, I'm shuddering to think that this is the start of a slippery slope that'll result in further contributions to my mechanic's Guernsey account balance.

Answers on a postcard; all entries gratefully received and greatly appreciated; the winner gets an e-pint and a hearty handshake.

cobra kid

5,243 posts

247 months

Friday 18th December 2020
quotequote all
Can't answer your issues I'm afraid.

But...these first world problems sound like they may be part of a deeper rooted issue!

TooLateForAName

4,839 posts

191 months

Friday 18th December 2020
quotequote all
My parents had strange problems with a volvo v70 electrics that were eventually traced to a microswitch in one of the door locks.

I know that sounds daft, but it had the effect of interferring with the car thinking it was locked properly. So the car never shut down properly and the battery would keep running down. It started as an intermittent issue for them but gradually got worse until they managed to work out what was going on.

I can see that a problem like that could cause the issues you have with the battery always needing to charge - because its running down overnight, the lights because it doesn't think its really locked and of course the door locking.

So I'd look at sorting the door lock as a first step.

Ovlovs Dog

Original Poster:

19 posts

47 months

Friday 18th December 2020
quotequote all
cobra kid said:
Can't answer your issues I'm afraid.

But...these first world problems sound like they may be part of a deeper rooted issue!
With me or the car? Because at least with one of those, the problems are a known quantity and it was hoped the other would be a paragon of reliability in comparison.

DaveyBoyWonder

2,741 posts

181 months

Friday 18th December 2020
quotequote all
Did you buy it unseen from a Bentley dealer? laugh

Pop something in the Volvo specific forum - sure someone will have an answer. The rear door thing sounds like a central locking module type issue. Get it a bit on VWs - usually a frayed wire.

Whataguy

1,033 posts

87 months

Friday 18th December 2020
quotequote all
for the RR passenger door - try turning off 'unlock all' on the car settings. lock the car, unlock it, turn 'unlock all' back on and see if it works. Sometimes it seems to be software related , if unlucky it may require a new lock.

When the main battery is failing the sign is that the stop/start is always still charging, so the new one may have fixed it.

For the follow-me-home lights - try the light button on the key. My car has the function, but they don't come on unless I press the light button.

Europa Jon

580 posts

130 months

Friday 18th December 2020
quotequote all
I have a 2013 Volvo that has the same issue with the right side rear door not unlocking. It's intermittent, but we rarely use the back seats so just live with it.
The stop-start failed a few months ago and I replaced the big battery. £120 spent and that side is working like new.

Ovlovs Dog

Original Poster:

19 posts

47 months

Friday 18th December 2020
quotequote all
TooLateForAName said:
My parents had strange problems with a volvo v70 electrics that were eventually traced to a microswitch in one of the door locks.

I know that sounds daft, but it had the effect of interferring with the car thinking it was locked properly. So the car never shut down properly and the battery would keep running down. It started as an intermittent issue for them but gradually got worse until they managed to work out what was going on.

I can see that a problem like that could cause the issues you have with the battery always needing to charge - because its running down overnight, the lights because it doesn't think its really locked and of course the door locking.

So I'd look at sorting the door lock as a first step.
Interesting...it's due to go to the stealership in early February for a seatbelt-grommet recall, might ask them to have a look at that while I'm there. Good shout!

Europa Jon said:
The stop-start failed a few months ago and I replaced the big battery. £120 spent and that side is working like new.
I'm just after spending £160.00 on a new stop-start battery and the problem persists, which is why I'm sweating slightly about what else could be lurking under the surface - hopefully the above malady with the door lock is the culprit and that it's all an easy fix ("famous last words" and all that...)

Jimmy No Hands

5,019 posts

163 months

Friday 18th December 2020
quotequote all
Door locks fail quite a lot - so probably unrelated to the stop start. If you are Yorkshire based or close I can recommend a good specialist.

Edit: Nevermind, bit too far!

Spare tyre

10,347 posts

137 months

Friday 18th December 2020
quotequote all
I suspect the follow me home lights are playing up because of the door lock


Whataguy

1,033 posts

87 months

Monday 21st December 2020
quotequote all
Having commented on this thread last week about door locks... my own drivers door lock suddenly failed without warning at the weekend!

Luckily while I was outside and at home, rather than being locked in.

It's a fairly common fault on the older cars. I believe the replacement parts fix it.