Stuck in the sh*t with my V50 :(

Hi all, is any one up for giving me some advice ? I bought a 2012 V50 D3 about 12 weeks ago with an intermittent starting fault ... I was hoping it was going to be a cheap fix but sadly I was wrong. What started as an intermittent fault soon turned into a permanent fault so I took it to Read View garage in Accrington to let them boys sort it.

11 weeks its been there and no fix ! They have had it on Vida, had a auto electrician, out to it, no joy ... They have replaced the fuel filter housing, checked fuel pressure, checked the timing and checked for any blockages in the exhaust system and cant suss it ?? Iv just settled my bill with them and brought it home.

My local garage wont touch it as iv had it elsewhere first so iv no idea what to do with it now !!

Is any one after a spares or repair V50 ?? Or any advice on were to take it to get it sorted :(Attachment 32305

Hi Chris.

The first place I would look is VIDA and any fault codes, especially in relation to CANbus issues with no comms for the ECM (Engine Control Module) and indeed the CEM (Central Electronic Module).

The CEM is found in the passenger footwell up under the dash. The ECM is found above the wheel arch liner in the front left wheel arch. You'll need to remove the wheel, remove the wheel arch liner then access will be quite easy to get to the ECM from here.

Common failure points are the ECM pcb gets dry joints and fails to communicate with the fuel injectors. Symptoms include random misfires, loss of power, intermittent cutting out and Non starts. If you have Volvo Diagnostics then this fault will be detected quite easily and relevant diagnostic procedure will lead you to confirm this.

The other common failure is in the CEM. This plagued early models badly but some later model V50's have also fallen foul to the CEM CANbus issues. Again, it is dry joints and pin corrosion that are to blame and unfortunately, the only permanent fix is a new CEM + Volvo software to make it work and reprogramme to the car. You cannot buy a second hand CEM and fit it to your car as this will not work without Volvo uploading the CEM software and programming it to the car. I strongly advise you avoid second hand units from eBay or scrapyards as you will no doubt be buying a possible faulty CEM/ECM from another car with the same issues. You'll have no warranty and without correct diagnosis, no clear way of confirming if the ECM/CEM is actually the fault - so all in all, a total waste of time and money. Sellers generally will not accept these units back once fitted to the car, and they have crude ways of telling if you have plugged them in, ie, dye on the pins or electrical contact grease smeared on to tell if you've fitted them or not.

The ECM can be repaired by an experienced electrician and if fixed properly, will NOT need software and reprogramming to the car. However, there is always the risk that the on board chips may lose their pre set info and then it will need a software upload and programming to the car before it will work.

If you take the car to a main dealer, they will fix the fault a a cost of either a new CEM or ECM plus software......expect to pay in the region of £800-1000.
The ECM can be repaired, as I explained and will cost around £260 including return postage. You would need to remove and refit plus clear all fault codes before starting etc.
I do have a contact for this method, but in all honesty, you need the car properly diagnosed.

Other than the usual bad earth issues, these are the two main issues that plague these models.
Remember the car is basically a Ford Focus.

I see the car is currently not taxed or insured, so you'll either have to have a good mechanic/technician attend the vehicle with good knowledge with VIDA/DICE or have the car trailed to a Volvo specialist or main dealer.

I have seen these symptoms many times on V50's D3, D4 and my mates D5. It was my mates D5 that I diagnosed with a faulty ECM. he sent it away, had it repaired and it was back on the car 3 days later. The car ran perfect, started first time and now drives better than it ever did! No issues since and that was 8 months ago.

I've put your engine code is in the title for anyone else that wants to chime in ;)

Hope that helps.

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Originally Posted by ChrisR9976

Hi all, is any one up for giving me some advice ? I bought a 2012 V50 D3 about 12 weeks ago with an intermittent starting fault ... I was hoping it was going to be a cheap fix but sadly I was wrong. What started as an intermittent fault soon turned into a permanent fault so I took it to Read View garage in Accrington to let them boys sort it.

11 weeks it's been there and no fix ! They have had it on Vida, had a auto electrician, out to it, no joy ... They have replaced the fuel filter housing, checked fuel pressure, checked the timing and checked for any blockages in the exhaust system and cant suss it ?? Iv just settled my bill with them and brought it home.

My local garage won't touch it as iv had it elsewhere first so iv no idea what to do with it now !!

Is any one after a spares or repair V50 ?? Or any advice on were to take it to get it sorted :(Attachment 32305

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Mmmm, incorrect FP would store a FP fault code anyway, so I assume this was ok?
A blocked fuel filter would normally store a P0089 fault code and as a rule, will not prevent the car from starting. If it were that blocked, you'd have a massive vacuum in the fuel lines after the filter and a serious sludge issue in the fuel tank!

I'm assuming the garage has checked all the normal stuff like 12v and 5v at the MAF, RPM signal on crank, FP, ALL fuses checked, all modules communicating on CANbus, a minimum '280 bar' in the common rail on crank (but not more than around 350bar) and good Voltage in the battery??
The last one is important as if the voltage falls below a certain voltage on crank, the injectors will not switch. I don't know the numbers but 10.2v or below rings a bell?

Also, did they check the EGR valve is not stuck closed? If it is, the engine won't breath and the car will definitely not start.

Anyway, I'm sure the garage have checked all the above and I'm sorry, but I can't think of anything else.

Please update this thread as I for one want to know the fault and it may help someone else out! :B_thumb:

Many thanks for taking the time to read and answer ... Iv got quite a bit of info to go of there now, much more than i had from it being in the garage for 12 weeks !! ... Its all abit above my head tbh so not sure which direction to go with now. What do you guys think a breakers would offer for it ? Im thinking just take a hit on it and move on :grumpy:

My mate's focus (mostly the same) did this and it was the fuse box under the glove box.
A swift kick got it going long enough to sell it...

Just to say many thanks for taking the time to reply to this thread, I got much more info in these replys than I did having it at Reid veiw garage in Accrington for 12 weeks !! Iv dodged a bullet and managed to get my many back by selling it to volvosaab breakers in Nottingham... if any1 needs to get rid of a volvo then id recommend these guys 100% .. gave me full up money just off the pics and paid me straight away .. car goes Sunday... thanks again