rpsinc

It is a D13/IShift and the neutral safety switch is the message on the dash.  We believe that the switch is use to disable the starting of the truck as an anti-theft feature.  My mechanic found some Volvo explanation for this, so now it appears that I need to get the ECM to recognize the chip key.

Not sure what AMT stands for.

So as my drama continues and with more investigating by my patient truck mechanic, it appears that we may be dealing with something we dont really know is a fact yet, but for now a speculation.

We noticed that the Anti-Theft light has been flashing during all this time and esp as we have attempted to start the truck many times.  We wonder if the use of a NON chipped key would cause this condition since I had a key made that was not chipped and it has been the key I used for our WCR trip.  We further wonder if, when the batteries died, that the ECM may not be recognizing this key(well no chip makes sense & perhaps lost data comm).  So tonight I used the chipped key and it caused the Anti-Theft indicator to go out (which we have so far not been able to do) but the same dash conditions continued.  

I am planning on calling a locksmith tomorrow to see if they have the ability to program this truck(they did a new to me chipped key for my GM service truck last week).  I am really trying to avoid a 60 mile tow bill by working on some of the things I can do while it is in my yard.  Have not found a near to me mobile tech with Volvo experience yet.

It continues...

Nice truck!  Should be a fulfilling project.

5 hours ago, Sculptor said:

According to a Volvo forum I’m on

Can you share that forum address with me?  Having problem getting my '08 730 started.  Maybe there will be an answer there before I get it towed to the dealer.

Thanks about the grounds.  I will check those out.

Thanks all.  I will try to find some time to do that troubleshooting.  

Keep in mind that the starter doesnt TRY to turn over.  I get power to the dash when turning on the key but when trying to start the dash goes blank.  The new batteries did make a big change in the brightness of the dash though, so that appears to be a good change.

Not to the point of throwing parts at it yet.  Batteries were on the list to change mostly because they were suspect so now I can start with known good ones.

Well tonight I changed the batteries to new ones.  Was really hoping that that would be the whole problem BUT after taking my time and cleaning and spraying all the connections with corrosion preventer, got it all in and tightened up, hit the key and NOTHING.  Same behavior.  I even double checked that the fuse to the ECM is good.

Now not sure what direction to go.  Does Volvo have some owners customer service line available?  

I did some calling to find new ones and was amazed that replacing the NAPA commercials in kind was at a cost of $192 each, then called the local Volvo/Mack dealer and they sell a brand they recommend for $101 each.  Guess I will be driving an hour or so to TEC for new batteries.

I seem to remember that the culprit is glycerine or animal fats(grease).  It sticks to the surfaces and by default the sensors.  Seems I read some using Calgon to clean their tanks.  Safe and effective.  Also use some ice cubes before traveling to act as a scrubber while on the road.  Not used personally mostly because I am a fan of the idea of using blue Dawn, but dont do the dumping AFTER travel.  Will definetely do that next time to see if that is better.  Should be from where I sit.

Great thread!

Good.  I have read that some dealers have better pricing for replacement batteries when compared to say NAPA.  I used NAPA commercials in my IH 4700, for a few reasons.  1- they replaced the NAPA batteries in the truck, 2- any issues with warranty can be addressed by a whole bunch of locations, 3- they were reliable until they werent.  

Not sure who makes the AC/Delco batteries but I wonder about that.  I am a lifelong GM customer and I dont think I have ever used them for replacement batteries, mostly due to the reasons above.

Well, the mechanic has been here and did checking on relays, fuses etc.  His recommendation is to replace the batteries first to eliminate them as a cause.  Seems they wont hold voltage but even when cab power is plugged in, no change to it doing the same thing, wont attempt to start.  He was able to clear the neutral safety code and that didnt free up the truck to start.  So after a LONG week out of town working, I start the search for new batteries.  They have NAPA commercials in it now, but any recommendations on what to use and where to get new ones??

2 hours ago, TXiceman said:

I would not live in your RV through a Montana winter

I am NOT an expert with this brand/model of 5er BUT I will say that from I have seen of them, they are more suited to VACATION use than fulltime use.

As has been said, living in it during a Montana winter, well, if its a mild winter then that would be better, but a perhaps switching over to a catalytic heater rather than relying on the RV furnace supplied with the trailer(they are only about 30-35% efficient, so imagine all the LP you will consume if temps get to 0).  It becomes much more difficult to make your HOME comfortable.  If you are in a park using an electric heater, or multiple heaters, can help, esp if you allow some heat to migrate to the basement will provide some good tactics.  

All of the other comments made are of value and can help in serously cold temps.  I would add another suggestion, get to know the propane suppliers in the immediate area, you will need them often.

13 minutes ago, craigjanelle said:

Marcel, any luck on your electrical headache on your Volvo? This was the same problem mine started with. 'Neutral Secure not detected'. I had many places in the cab wire harness, the previous owner 'repaired'. We found the main culprit in the patched wiring, that caused that code, was in the harness behind drivers seat. Part of it went to the shifter, then under flooring, up into dash & through firewall. Was able to temporarily repair wires behind the seat & it cycled back to neutral & fired up. After waiting 3+ months for Volvo to supply the new harness, it's installed. A few more smaller headaches, air dryer, fuel tank straps, etc. &  we might just make our trip to the National rally. Good Luck, Craig

Sorry we wont make it to National Rally because I am overwhelmed with W O R K.  I know, its a blessing and a curse but I need the income until I get to a different place in life.  The pandemic put a BIG delay of many of our goals and as such we have had to revise our plans.  Part of that is unfortunately that the Volvo is sitting way more than we intend.

On 8/31/2022 at 7:09 PM, crazybanshee said:

The dash lit up when the key turned on but would go blank when trying to start. Starter would not turn over but I could jump it and would turn over.

Yes, dash lites up but nothing else is happening.  Tried to start with charger on boost but nope, tried jumping it but nope.  Turn the key and the dash goes blank.  Mechanic is in my future and I have a good mobile guy BUT he is not versed in Volvos, although he is a good technician, so confident he will figure it out, but dont know how much time it will take.  He does start with the simple things first.

On 9/4/2022 at 3:37 AM, Parrformance said:

The truck would crank but not start, because the ECM, did not receive the signal from the TCM that all was well with the transmission, the transmission did show a red blinking fault light on the control panel on the drivers seat. This was intermittent at first, but did become more frequent.

Nothing like this for me.  Returned from from WCR and when I went to start it to move it, the problem I stated was what I am still dealing with.  I have removed the battery connections and cleaned them, hoping that while leaving the ECM without power, it might "reset" itself.  Well, nothing so far.

2 minutes ago, rickeieio said:

From what I've heard, and experienced, the big issue is often the DEF tank level sensor getting flaky.  Both our daughter's diesel VW and our Kenworth have experienced it, and when it happens you have a short distance to fix it or be de-rated.  When It happened to us, we were just about to hitch up to the rv.  Fortunately, a KW dealer was only 40 miles away.  We took it there and they got us going the next day, with a new egr valve thrown in for good measure. $$$

Our daughter hasn't been so lucky.  She's had to take her car in several times for the same issue, each time waiting days, if not weeks, for a new sensor.

Is there a jumper opportunity to use as a work around?  Or is it a varying output type of device?

My comment was directed to Smitty77_7 

Then your choice is perfect.

As an option to the portable device you bought, you may be able to have installed a buck/boost transformer that is designed to do what you are needing.  And it can be left on your lot for others to use should you decide to rent it.

12 hours ago, Wrknrvr said:

   It sound like you have a automatic of one kind or another.

   And it is not registering neutral.    I would suggest to research in the history on this forum on said subject.

      Clean all grounds. If you look on the engine side of the firewall, there should be 3 ground lugs. On each side of the engine. For a total of six grounds.

   Fusible link to the ecm from positive side of battery. Bad fuse, bad connection, or bad fuse holder. Mine was bad fuse holder.

 

My next direction. Thx.

I tried the lock/unlock and removing the grounds to reset the ECU and nothing different, although I did get a message on the dash "Neutral Secured Is Not Detected".  

This evening while putting away my forklift I did come across some rabbits, and they have attacked the wiring in another truck a few years ago.  I am wondering if they perhaps got to the Volvo.  I have seen one hanging around under the truck a few times.  Where would the Neutral Safety Switch be located on the truck, although there is not guarantee that that is where they may have messed around with the wiring.  But at least it may be a place to start, or maybe jumper the switch to troubleshoot.

I started it a few days before.  Needed to move the truck and so got in to do that and nothing.  Black dash on key turn.  Figured it was dead batteries.  Not sure why butput them on the charger for few days (10A charge).  Went back in and turned the key on, dash came on but nothing else is happening.  Not attempt to start.  I think I did notice a neutral switch notice but it didnt stay on.

Any suggestions of what to look for?

If the starter was lagging then I'd suspect batteries but not Volvo conversational.

6 hours ago, palmeris said:

original statement that any use should disqualify one from sharing the road

I dont think I said that.    And I didnt use the term "high" mostly because I wasnt intending that frame of mind.  Mind altering isnt the same as being high.  Some meds, perscription or other, can induce altered state.  I will be considerate to others around me IF I should be in a situation where due to some life condition, I use substances that CAN alter my mind (read not able to make the best and safest decisions) and not operate any machinery, auto, truck, forklift, tractor or other that might cause a potential for injury or damage to others, myself or property.

6 hours ago, palmeris said:

Don't the pain relievers drug you use alter your perception as to intensity of the pain?

yes they do, but your examples are mostly directed at physical consequences.  I suppose, that depending on the amount taken, can alter your mind but..................

Sure wish I had not gone down this rabbit hole.  Please make the best choice you can as it concerns medications.

3 hours ago, palmeris said:

Don't all drugs alter the mind in some type or fashion?  Cant' all drugs cause an impairments when used improperly?  Including OTC ones, and some can cause impairments just by their nature such as narcotics.

I suppose that could be the case but aspirin, Aleve, Tylenol, and others like this I use at times for relief of these aching bones and I dont find that they ALTER my mind.  But then again, Oxys and others I am not familiar with are also used for pain relief at times and can ALTER my mind.  It is a matter of being responsible and making a choice given your own personal circustances.

I do understand that some pain relief is available in CBD without THC and I have not been in situations that this course of treatment would be a personal consideration for me.  Although, not opposed, it is as well a personal decision and I personally would consider its MIND ALTERING capability as part of my decision.  

There certainly are many options for each of us and we have to make our choices based on our own circumstances.

11 hours ago, packnrat said:

ANY person who uses any drug, legal or not.

My perspective is less about drugs and more about MIND ALTERING SUBSTANCES.  If you can be impaired, then the responsible thing to do is to avoid using them when operating any vehicle, esp if on the roads with others.  But if you need to use them for some condition, then dont share the road with the other folks out there.  Thank you

There are a # of people who have recorded their bus/van conversions on YouTube.  They might be helpful for you in what TO DO and WHAT TO AVOID DOING.  No reason to repeat the mistakes that others have made and recorded, and it will likely cost you $ and time.  Certainly some videos will also be useful in sharing the results of certain incorporated items that are working some time AFTER those were included in the build as well as the opposite.

3 hours ago, etcetera said:

I will think about the DL.

For now, I just want to get the vehicle (RV) registered in South Dakota. Having a DL from that state is not mandatory for that.

Reach out to Americas Mailbox.  They are experts indoing what you are considering and being a user for many years, I can attest to their ability to complete the task with professional results.