MOT Q - Warning messages

[Jem45]

Hi Lads,

This question's ben asked over on VOC forum with variable responses - would appreciate some knowledge from experts if poss...

My Volvo is displaying the dread 'Anti Skid Service required' message, which has popped up following battery reconnection after a period of inactivity while I've been prepping it for the MOT. I suspect the two things might be linked and the error message, even if legit, can be linked to a number of different components not necessarily anything to do with skidding or not skidding!

Anyway, is this message an MOT fail? - there is no accompanying ABS warning light - just a text message in the message centre that also shows stuff link range, service intervals, door open etc...

The prevailing view seems to be 'depends on the tester' but am hoping there's a tester or MOT law guru here who can give me something more definitive - I'm going to struggle to get it turned off as car is not MOTd, taxed, insured at the mo.

Cheers,
Nick

[Rich]

Jan 28, 2020 12:38:36 GMT Jem45 said:

Hi Lads,

This question's ben asked over on VOC forum with variable responses - would appreciate some knowledge from experts if poss...

My Volvo is displaying the dread 'Anti Skid Service required' message, which has popped up following battery reconnection after a period of inactivity while I've been prepping it for the MOT. I suspect the two things might be linked and the error message, even if legit, can be linked to a number of different components not necessarily anything to do with skidding or not skidding!

Anyway, is this message an MOT fail? - there is no accompanying ABS warning light - just a text message in the message centre that also shows stuff link range, service intervals, door open etc...

The prevailing view seems to be 'depends on the tester' but am hoping there's a tester or MOT law guru here who can give me something more definitive - I'm going to struggle to get it turned off as car is not MOTd, taxed, insured at the mo.

Cheers,
Nick

Have you consulted the MOT test manual, which is easily found via a google search for MOT test manual?
I’ll go read it now for you and see what it says.

[Rich]

Right, Personally I would class it under RFR- b) Warning device shows system malfunction - Major
But it also depends on what your tester decides is the ‘warning device’
Personally I’d be getting a code read done and determining the fault, it’s probably just requiring a steering angle sensor recalibration.

[paul99]

Had this on my S60, got away with it for 1 test, failed the next. Same garage. Go figure

There is a reset function, basically wind the steering from lock to lock 5 times after ignition, MAY reset it, but didn't last on mine

[welshpug]

have you actually driven it? if you havent then try is as the light may go out after a drive.

[fr€$h&m1nt¥]

Jan 28, 2020 15:18:37 GMT paul99 said:

Had this on my S60, got away with it for 1 test, failed the next. Same garage. Go figure

Two strikes and you're out? They may have been lenient the first time, giving you 12 months to get it sorted.

[zeberdee]

Jan 28, 2020 15:45:45 GMT fr€$h&m1nt¥ said:

Jan 28, 2020 15:18:37 GMT paul99 said:

Had this on my S60, got away with it for 1 test, failed the next. Same garage. Go figure

Two strikes and you're out? They may have been lenient the first time, giving you 12 months to get it sorted.

Or the wording in the testers manual changed .

It’s a nightmare keeping up with the subtle changes they make .

[carat 3.6]

I would expect the light to go out as soon as you get past 10mph and the abs sensors all sync up.

[dodgerover]

What year is it?

[timbo1956]

Got a picture of it? The nearest I can find is the ESC (or similar) light indicates a system malfunction. A lot of these lights go out when you drive them so try that first and maybe disconnect and reconnect the battery again. As others say it's a tester thing as to whether it fails plus some of the ambiguous wording of a lot of the manual since it was rewritten last year doesn't help, not that it ever has

[ChasR]

Try driving it. If that doesn't solve it, get the codes read.

[Jem45]

Grateful for the responses folks.

I'm not to keen to 'go drive it' as the car is not currently MOTd, taxed or insured - also why I'm not driving it to a vida/ dice diagnostics centre, the nearest of which is circa 7 miles away. I razzed it to the end of the road and back and nothing has reset. And I felt a bit suss about that - we'll have a range of views on this I guess but am reasonably risk averse.

AFAIK the only place I can drive it to is the MOT centre (when insured) - don't know any locally that I use that have vida/dice... and who wants to MOT a 20 odd yer old car at the main dealer? This might be inverted prejudice but I think they might go wild.

Chas - I was hoping for expert interpretation from a tester or someone who's had experience of this. I have read the manual and as I think you've also deduced, it's open to interpretation to the untutored eye (mine certainly).

Paul90 - cheers for that tip. Will give it a try. The car is otherwise MOT ready and once tested, I can look at getting the codes read properly (going to a VOC member etc) and defining the issue. The car's an old family friend and a keeper so all will be done properly to keep it right. I just think its really suss that its popped up after the battery has been off for 3 months. disconnection/ discharging and reconnecting hasn't sorted it btw.

Cheers all.

[joem83]

Is it a d5? if so check the swirl flap actuator arm hasnt fallen off - mine did & used to cause that message!

[Jem45]

Cheers joe - it's not that mate.

[Rich]

Any garage that carries a decent range of diagnostic kit should be able to program it. Most garages worth their salt carry nearly a dealer level of diagnostic kit, you won’t need specific Volvo equipment. Launch, Snapon and Maxidas should be able to read and reprogram if required.

[mk2cossie]

As a tester, if it is just a message in the info display that can be scrolled past/hidden it is not a warning light

As others have said, it will depend on the tester and their interpretation of the manual.
And whether there is a multitude of other failures on the vehicle

[Jem45]

That's helpful Mk2cossie mate, thanks.

Rich - my understanding is that only Vida/ Dice will give the specifics on what triggers the message and the other generic systems are a bit, well, generic - but happy to hear that if that's based on your experience. We'll see.

[Rich]

Jan 29, 2020 10:23:15 GMT Jem45 said:

That's helpful Mk2cossie mate, thanks.

Rich - my understanding is that only Vida/ Dice will give the specifics on what triggers the message and the other generic systems are a bit, well, generic - but happy to hear that if that's based on your experience. We'll see.

I think someone may be trying to get you to part with expensive diag. The whole point of DTCs being set is that the DTC can be read. I’ve had no issue reading volvos in the past, let alone much else.

[Jem45]

Makes sense Rich. Thanks for your input - appreciated.

I should have asked Mk2Cossie where his testing station was located shouldn't I?!

[joem83]

The iCarsoft for Volvo works great, will read & live data all Volvo ecu's