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2001 Volvo S40 OBD System - Emissions testing

Tiny
JEANNEBURDORF
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 VOLVO S40
Computer problem
2001 Volvo S40

I am trying to get my car past Emissions, but it failed due to a "failure to communicate" issue. I have been advised to have my on board diagnostics tested.

1. Is there any way that I can figure out what's wrong without having to go to a dealership?

2. If I do have to go to a dealership, how much (approximately) would this cost, and what exactly happens?

Thanks!
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Monday, October 18th, 2010 AT 11:52 AM

6 Replies

Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,757 POSTS
Have someone check all the fuses with a test light. The data plug may not be getting power. Many of them share a fuse with the lighter but check all of them.
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Monday, October 18th, 2010 AT 12:23 PM
Tiny
JEANNEBURDORF
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  • 9 POSTS
You're going to think this silly, but we did that. When it failed, we went to Advance and they plugged up a diagnostic tool. They also explained about the cigarette lighter/fuses.

We checked the lighter, then the fuses, and replaced (with the correct fuse type) the fuse which was blown. After that, we hooked up the diagnostic tool again. The diagnostic tool could after we had replaced the fuse. I was told that it should have returned something, even "no codes." Is this correct?

We checked the pertinent fuses but none of the ones we checked were blown. What is a test light, and is that something I coudl use myself?
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Monday, October 18th, 2010 AT 12:35 PM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
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A test light is used to test for power so you can see if the fuses have power at both sides. If changing the fuses doesn't do it, then you may have something more serious and you will need the dealer for that.
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Monday, October 18th, 2010 AT 12:38 PM
Tiny
VOLVO SERVICE ADV
  • MECHANIC
  • 175 POSTS
WHICH COMPUTER IS NOT COMMUNICATING? ECM? ARE THERE CODES POSTED?
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Monday, October 18th, 2010 AT 6:25 PM
Tiny
JEANNEBURDORF
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
In terms of which computer, I'm not sure. We used to diagnostic hookup to test the Emissions, and we used that also to hook up a small handheld diagnostic machine. Both of them could not communicate - we never even made it to codes, because they would not communicate at all.

How many computer systems are in this car?
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Tuesday, October 19th, 2010 AT 7:22 AM
Tiny
VOLVO SERVICE ADV
  • MECHANIC
  • 175 POSTS
THE FIRST THING THAT YOU NEED TO DO IS TAKE IT TO A DEALER. I DON'T SUSPECT THAT THE "ECM" WHICH IS THE MAIN MODULE IS DEAD OR ELSE YOU WOULD BE HAVING MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH DRIVING. ARE THERE ANY DRIVING SYMPTUMS?
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Tuesday, October 19th, 2010 AT 9:06 AM

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