Reading various threads looks like there are quite a few owners out there having ABS problem (I've been told by a local dealer that the control module for ABS/Traction control is not supposed to break down easily, but I'm on my way to a 3rd one and the car has less than 100K mileage and it's a '96). The car shudders and seems that the brake tends to lock up. Anybody know if there's NHTSA recall on this problem considering there's so many owners out there who seem to have the same problem? I tried to find it in the NHTSA website, but didn't see it.

I have a 96 850 also. My abs module went at 85,000. Victor fixed it two years ago and I have had no problems since. If you go to his website you will find out what is involved in the repair. My understanding is that the abs modules were a defective design. The solder connections in the module were indadequate to take the heat generated and produced hairline fractures in the abs electronic connections resulting in a failed unit. Victor resolders the connections making them more resistant to heat and less likely to fracture. This is the same thing that a dealer shop or indy shop has done when they take your failed abs unit and have it eventually rebuilt while putting a previously rebuilt unit in your car. I wonder if the general rebuilders are not rebuilding the abs units they receive as well as Victor does? This may be why you have replaced several units.

Dan

PS: Any technician who says that abs modules have not been a problem in Volvo 850s is either ignorant or not truthful.

Thanks. I've been having problem getting into the Brickboard.

The first module failed when I just got my car (a few months after)and was still under warranty, so the dealer replaced it. The second one is about 1.5 years after and the dealer charged $800 this time. And of course, for this third one, they want to charge the same fee. The dealership admitted that it's because of the engine heat that is causing the module to fail. I guess Volvo is making $$$ out of this instead of fixing the problem (sounds like they already know that the module breaks easily but don't intend to fix the problem).

With the number of units out there that Victor has rebuilt (I can't recall a single complaint here on the BB about his work) my guess is just shoddy repair work by "experts" that don't know what there're doing. I'm sure dealers are installing new units (to the tune of $600. and up plus labor) that have the same defects as the one they're replacing that came on the car.

Contact Victor Rocha about your ABS problem b4 you shell out mega bucks to have the ABS computer replaced at the dealer. He'll rebuild and upgrade it for about $140. Failure of the ABS unit on 850's is about 100%

http://home.earthlink.net/~vicrocha/Volvo_Parts/Volvo_V70_ABS.htm

bl

No known recall, but a known extremely high failure rate. Volvo seems to have gotten away with claiming that inopperative ABS system isn't a safety hazard since the vehicle will still stop with the ABS broken. This really ticked me off and is one of the reasons my '96 850 was replaced with an '03 Honda Accord V6.

John