General: V70 Left Indicator issue

[SebastianBerko]

Hi all,

I own a D5 Volvo 2004 V70 with 725.xxx kilometers on it (450.xxx miles ish). Generally, all is well, but lately I’ve been plagued with a indicator issue.

The car intermittently refuses to indicate left. Indicating right works every time, at correct pace and everything. Hazard blinkers work at correct pace as it should all around.

Sometimes when turning sharp left while indicating left, it’ll indicate for some portion of the steering wheel turning, sometime (mostly not at all). Occasionally, when standing still and indicating left it’ll blink 2-3 times then stop, sometimes not even that - blinking pace may or may not be off when this happens.

In short, mostly doesn’t blink left and there is no pattern which I’ve been able to gather for when it actually does work.

I’ve cleaned the indicator stalk internals/contacts/PCB, which seemed to help for a short period of time, then issue returned. I’ve tried playing with the positioning of the connector pins on the stalk PCB, but no help. I’ve also tried replacing the stalk with one from a scrappy with 47k miles on it, worked for a few months (mostly), but now issue is back.

I read in other threats that the hazard light switch may be the cause, but not sure as my hazards work perfectly fine. Others suggest the CEM being the issue, but I’d rather not blindly replace parts with no knowledge / prior testing.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks a bunch

[Simmy]

check the relay it may be faulty with those mileages

[Joe Harding]

We had a similar issue with the wash/wipe switch. Cleaning the switches improved matters for a short while but it returned sooner or later. I would suggest replacing the unit.

Haynes says you need to remove the steering wheel. No you don't (at least not for the wash/wipe)

[XC70Bob]

When you did the switch cleaning , did you clean the PCD / contacts with switch cleaner or methylated spirits which should remove all the grease and contaminates,
if the contact area is really bad you can use a pencil rubber to remove it without removing any of the actual contact.

Then check the contacts are making a good connection by just gently pulling them up a bit from the plastic mounting piece, then putting the PCB back you should feel some resistance when pushing the PCB down.

And lastly you need to re-lubricate the PCD to prevent wear on the contact areas, I just use a little petroleum jelly, and mine work just fine, about 2-3 years between cleans.

[RedWagonV70]

I had a faulty wiring contact in the ignition lock. At a cetain angle it wouldn't just start the car. I fixed it by eliminating a loose contact though.

Quite a remarkable mileage, makes me confident that my V70 with 390k km will go strong for a long time!