Late model Volvo resources?

[nderwater]

My mom drives an '06 S80 which is no longer under warranty. The car was hard to start yesterday and today is DOA and stuck in her garage. The only fault code showing is "U0073 - Control Module Communication Bus Off" and some Google searching hasn't turned up anything particularly useful to help troubleshoot the problem. I've also searched half a dozen Volvo boards, but the advice there generally tends toward "see what the dealer says".

Are there any more through Volvo tech resources out there? Do any of you guys know a good mechanic who works on Volvo's? Thanks!

[scandmx5]

Marietta has several Volvo only shops, (i.e. vadis comp, ase certs, etc...)
my uncle happens to own one :)

however if you need to deal with dealer, id highly recommend Nalley Volvo (which used to be Chris Volvo) on the corner of Windy Hill and Cobb Parkway

they are great people to deal with

if you haven't yet...check out www.swedespeed.com (http://www.swedespeed.com) that is pretty much the largest volvo forum there is with tons and tons of information and a nice non-ia type crowd :lol:
good luck

[FooSchnickens]

Don't know of any volvo specific techs nearby, but if you need parts go to voluparts. It's like the mazmart of volvo stuff.

[nderwater]

Thanks for the leads!

[metalman]

a nice non-ia type crowd :lol:


They must be a bunch of stuck up pecker heads that dont get internet humor then. :lol:

[scandmx5]

They must be a bunch of stuck up pecker heads that dont get internet humor then. :lol:

they really are, however the info and leads are golden!!
like the $100,000/year + crowd

[nderwater]

What's your uncle's shop?

[nderwater]

I disconnected the battery, cleaned the terminals and checked each of the fuses. After reconnecting the battery, it started right up and the check engine was off. My Mom was afraid of being stranded if this happened again, so we took it to the dealer anyway (at least I saved the $100 tow). The dealer tech said that the communications network on the car was faulty, so they flashed the control module with updated firmware and she should be good to go...

Sometimes I wonder if OEM's are building their on-board computer systems specifically to keep people coming back to the dealer for service at the expense of DIY and independent repair facilities.

[scandmx5]

sorry nderwater, just got your PM
and hopped online, glad you got it fixed...they are closed for the week anyway :lol:

[oldgrayfrog]

The OEMs are most dfinitely trying to put the independent shops out of business. Many cars now require massively expensive brand or even model specific diagnosis computers to track problems, instead of the simpler code reader thru the OBD II port. There have been several anti-trust lawsuits filed, with very limited sucess. The OEMs want you using the dealer, so the dealer buys their parts, the dealer wants you to buy those parts at huge mark ups, and charge you high hourly labor. Hence Stealership. If you find a good one it's just so shocking...

[FooSchnickens]

Hell, the dated Mazda STAR unit still costs several thousand dollars if you try and get it independently.

I think once more people are driving more "modern" cars with these things in place we'll see those suits possibly start to take hold. Though I suppose they could say it's similar to having a specific tool for doing a job. The head stud removal tool for the older Monte Carlos is necessary, but people still pay to have the work done in spite of the socket costing $75.

The newer big rigs are fu cking NIGHTMARES. They hardly have any relays at all on them anymore. Some have as many as 16 ECUs controlling everything from the turbo vane angles to the headlights! Yes, an ECU for the ******* headlights. And on top of that they make less power, get worse MPG and break down more often than older models. Ridiculous.

[scandmx5]

wow! for headlights :lol:

[nderwater]

Bah, my Mom's car is having the same symptoms again. This time the dealer says it's the transmission control unit which is bad, making the rest of electrical system freak out... to the tune of another $1,300 to fix.

Scand - pm me your uncle's contact info and his favorite beer :D

[Spark!Plug]

you guys think cars are getting ridiculous with computers and what not. try working on a lift truck. not only do you need make specific tools, make specific procedures, make specific parts... but try and lift a battery out of one of those things. (Hint: it takes 1 forklift to work on another forklift thanks to a 500-1000lb battery and motors and even the chassis can be ginormous. 4000lb beasts they are.)

[FooSchnickens]

Crown? Raymond?

[Spark!Plug]

Crown? Raymond?

both actually, but more specifically, yep, Crown. my dad and stepdad both work for Crown. but they service anything under (the sun) a warranty. Its pretty much the only thing my dad talks about other than nascar or something funny someone sent him thru email. :rolleyes:

[FooSchnickens]

The only problem with Crown is that they won't use aftermarket parts. So our lifts don't get fixed for nearly a week sometimes when something breaks. Stupid pencil necks in the office won't approve repairs. Not that our Raymond turret trucks are much better. One of those is broken nearly every other day. It's rare that you see them both out on the floor. :lol:

[Spark!Plug]

The only problem with Crown is that they won't use aftermarket parts. So our lifts don't get fixed for nearly a week sometimes when something breaks. Stupid pencil necks in the office won't approve repairs. Not that our Raymond turret trucks are much better. One of those is broken nearly every other day. It's rare that you see them both out on the floor. :lol:

that makes sense because the replacement parts take a couple days to get into my dad's truck. i think they might have gofers to get parts. when my dad would get home, everyday it seemed, "damnit i had to go behind -insert name here- and fix their screw ups and bad wiring jobs." they have this little contest that they get txt messages telling them all who is the top 3 at making money. he's always 3rd or 2nd. what warehouse are you working out of, like the name.. i'll ask him if he's ever worked there. btw he talks a lot of trash about raymonds. says they're worse than most other lift trucks when it comes to reliability. also he gets small jobs (1 truck) but usually he'll PM a fleet if they got em. i feel bad about it, b/c he works his *** off every day. he's in his 50's too. by the time he gets home, he watches tv a bit and is out by 8:30p he works like a mule.

i've thought about getting in on it, but im not too sure i want to kill myself

[threadjack/]