DIM out? Really $1800???

[20nic]

I have an '02 v70xc. The past few months my clock has been going haywire and wouldn't stay set -- kept rolling backwards and wouldn't stop. Next my trip odometer stopped working -- kept resetting itself whenever it felt like it. Finally (just 2 days ago) the entire dash quit on me. No odometer, tachometer, speedometer, lights, etc. Just totally dead.

When I called my amazing local volvo guy, he said it sounded like the DIM and it would have to be fixed by a dealership for the computer reset.

When I called our local dealership for an appointment I was informed that the fix was approximately $1800 and then they asked if I still wanted to continue w the appointment. Like I have a choice.

So, is this a common issue? Is it for sure the DIM? How can I tell or what else should I have them look at? And is this about what the fix should cost?

Thanks!

[kamiar]

Some folks bought a used DIM for $100-150 and it worked with no software download etc, there are several posts in this forum about it....

[20nic]

i have searched the forum for "DIM" and "used DIM" but got no results. Any clue where these posts are filed under?

[Adrian]

This search may help you out:
http://www.google.com/search?q=site%3Avolvoxc.com+used+DIM&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:nb-NO:official&client=firefox-a

[RockitShip]

You may want to just rebuild your DIM. BBA reman as well as xemodex will rebuild. Not sure of prices, but glancing at one site they quote about $400. It's definitely a DIY project as long as you use/rebuild your original DIM (no recoding needed), they pop out easy enough (tabs holding them in).

http://www.xemodex.com/xemodex_016.htm
http://www.bba-reman.com/catalogue/DetailedProduct.aspx?DetailedProduct=2089

Mine sometimes displays broken up pixels, or sometimes there's a time lapse... it's weird. I bang on the dash above and sometimes it helps lol! But for the most part I live with it until it gets really annoying (prompting me to spend the money).

[Willy]

This looks interesting as well:
http://www.volvo-forums.com/t13321-st-20-dashboard-problems.htm
Willy

[PanamaVail]

UltraGuage plugs into your computer (next to engine release lever) My dash DIM is out and the Dealer price is $1800. I ordered the UltraGuage paid about $90. including shipping. you can see it and demo it on line, click on the guage in the middle of the web site and you can scroll through it with the 3 buttons.
http://www.ultra-gauge.com/ultragauge/index.htm today.
Now I have Tachometer, Speedometer, and Engine Tempeture. There are 8 pages you can add specific Volvo controls to. It also reads fault codes. This guage works on most cars, I tried it on my chevy truck too.
Here is a video of what I did http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQANpCpPRi8

[billr99]

Try these threads:

http://www.volvoxc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18385

http://www.volvoxc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18067

http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=73695&highlight=DIM

http://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=42819&p=206890&hilit=instrument+cluster#p206890

http://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=29323&p=181211&hilit=instrument+cluster#p181211

http://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=35882&p=167720&hilit=instrument+cluster#p167720

Screw the dealer option, that price is nuts. Best is to either have Xemodex (http://xemodex.com/technologyimproved/canada/drivers-information-module-for-volvo) rebuild your current DIM or to find a used DIM with the necessary matching numbers on the back (threads above describe the process involved with a used DIM). Quite a few of us have done one or the other with great success.

Good luck,

Bill

[Racer_S]

i re-soldered mine.. $15 and its all working again (had the rolling clock and no turn signal issue)

http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=73695

register to see pics


I couldnt find a good used DIM

[Swagger XC]

What we did when our DIM started acting up at around 150k was that we bought an updated 06 cluster with aluminum dial surround rings used with low mileage and our Volvo garage reprogrammed it to the correct mileage for $190. Done 10k with it and works fine.

[Rye Brooker]

I had the same problem with my 02 v70xc. The previous owner had tried to fix it. He must have gone through alot more work trying to fix then it took me to actually fix it. The dashboard cluster cover comes off by just prying at the top and also removing the cover on top of the steering column. (These pieces are attached). There are four torx screws in the corners. If you have the tool kit that comes with the car the torx driver is there. Disconnect the electrical connector in the back. Package it up and send it to Xemodex. They will rebuild it completely the same day they receive it and send it right back out. The rebuild was about $365 plus whatever kind of shipping you want. You can also get a new one instead, but you have to certify your milage and it costs about $100 more. When you get it back, if you have a srs airbag code a volvo dealer will have to reset it. Xemodex, I believe, upgrades the part that failed to a newer improved part that should not fail again. This is such an easy fix that if it takes you 15 minutes to do it, you spent 10 minutes thinking about it. I got a great deal on my Volvo because the guy before thought he had major electrical problems, so I thank my DIM often.

[AeroCam]

Sent mine into BBA-Reman in Massachusetts. I shipped it overnight on Tuesday, they fixed it and shipped it back on Wednesday, had it back in by 1:00 on Thursday. Total cost with overnight shipping was $418. Regular shipping would have been $338 but I couldn't wait that long, (Oregon-Mass would have been 4-5 days each way). Works like a charm and now has a lifetime warranty. Still have to get the SRS warning cleared though...

I bought the service from them on ebay. They said that's the cheapest they can go.