You will encounter many truck problems that require your attention and immediate repair.
Some of these are often ignored by drivers. However, these nuisances you may experience with your truck can hinder you from using it and cause more problems in certain parts of your vehicle.
In this article, you will learn about these common nuisances and concerns on your Volvo truck that you shouldn’t ignore.
A Short Summary of Volvo Truck Problems and Nuisances you Shouldn’t Ignore:
The most common Volvo truck problems you should pay attention to involve issues with the airbag, electric fan clutch, fridge, power steering, refrigerator, truck seat, steering, steering wheel, window, and wiper. These issues should be fixed asap to avoid greater damage to your Volvo truck.
Table of Contents
Volvo Truck Air Bag Problems
According to a report, about 260,000 Volvo trucks had issues with their air bag inflator, where it exploded with no warning or external factors involved.
It may only be considered a minor issue in your Volvo truck, but there is one report where it cost a person’s life. Thus, you should not just ignore it.
The good thing is that Volvo is taking action to resolve problems with the airbag. If you happen to experience a similar issue in your truck, here’s what you should do:
- You can associate airbag problems with the inflator. Thus, you can ask for assistance from a Volvo dealer to install new inflators free of charge.
- Aside from exploding airbags, some Volvo trucks also have problems with inflating. You can fix it using a PTT program or a scanner for system reading. Then fill out the airbag manually with the switches on the dash.
As you flip the switch, release the brakes to reduce the air system since it can reach above 100 PSI. Change the valve and adjust it with a computer.
The valve and the suspension cannot alter, so you need a computer to calibrate them.
Volvo Truck Door Lock Problems
Door locks may be a basic feature, but they also bring you issues you may find annoying.
The door lock has intricate parts, especially the keyless ones, that can malfunction over time.
Here are the common problems you may experience with the door lock and how you can fix them:
- Blown fuse
Door locks are also electrical components. When it gets broken, the main culprit is a blown fuse.
You can check the manual to know the location of the fuse box. Check for any signs of damage like dark color or burnt smell. With just the essential tools, you can remove the fuse easily and replace it with a new one.
- Connector or rod damage
Unlike electronic malfunction, broken connectors or damaged rods are considered rare issues. In due course, these parts will weaken, so you must remove and replace them.
To fix damaged connectors or rods, remove the inner door panel of your truck to see if there are other underlying issues you may not recognize yet.
- Dead key fob battery
The door lock of your truck may have a dead key fob battery if, no matter how many times you press your remote control key, it will still not budge.
The best way to fix it is to replace the dead battery. You can refer to your truck’s manual to know the specific battery you need to buy and how to replace it.
- Malfunctioned key fob
A broken key fob is another reason for door lock problems. The best way to resolve the issue is by taking your truck to your dealer for a proper diagnosis.
- Solenoid issues
If you think the above problems are not the primary cause, solenoid issues are probably solenoid. You must remove and replace the inner door panel when the solenoid malfunctions.
This way, it can receive signals again every time you press the key fob.
Volvo Truck Electric Fan Clutch Problems
Volvo trucks also face fan clutch problems. There are many reasons it happens, like your vehicle might be overheating, or the fans are loose. In a worse case, the fan clutch itself might already need a replacement.
Here’s how you can fix fan clutch issues in your Volvo truck:
If the cause of your faulty fan clutch is overheating, ensure that there is nothing stuck between the wings of the fan as it may block the airflow. You can also conduct regular cleaning since dirt may also hinder its function.
You will probably hear wobbling if the fans are loose, especially while driving. Stop your truck and open the engine to check if the fans are still in place. You can also inspect if there are any damaged wirings.
If the mentioned problems are not applicable, it is possible that the fan clutch is already broken, and you need to replace them right away.
Volvo Truck Fridge Problems
The fridge serves as convenient storage of food and drinks, especially on long hauls. Thus, if it suddenly crashes, it is indeed a nuisance.
There are three reasons why the truck fridge will stop working. It can be its compressor, condenser fan, or evaporator coils.
Regardless of which, here’s how you can fix it:
- The truck fridge has similar components to the refrigerator you have at home. Once diagnosed, you will know which parts you should buy for replacement and repair.
Some of the parts you will probably need are coils, fans, gaskets, switches, and wirings.
- If the fridge is already too worn out or old, the best thing to do is to replace it with a new one.
First, you must remove it by detaching it from the power source. Then, unscrew it. Of course, if you have any doubts about how to do it yourself, bringing it to a repair center will help a lot.
Volvo Truck Power Steering Problems
Another nuisance you can experience when driving a Volvo truck is when the power steering suddenly stops working.
There are many possible causes of failing power steering. It can also depend on your truck’s type of power steering, which consists of electric power, fully electric power, and hydraulic power steering.
Here’s how to solve common issues with your truck’s power steering:
- Fluid loss
It most likely leaks if you notice a drop in your power steering fluid. Check the hoses and hydraulic pump for any signs to avoid draining.
- Damaged hydraulic pump
The first thing you will notice is there are noises on the pump. Check it immediately to prevent fluid from leaking from the power steering pump.
- Worn electronic parts
Worn-out fuses and wirings are also the sources of power steering problems. If any of these components fail, you must replace them to avoid losing steering assist. It can get dangerous while driving.
Volvo Truck Refrigerator Problems
Your Volvo truck fridge may face the issue of not powering up or not cooling effectively. This can be annoying since it won’t be able to keep your drinks cool and food from spoiling.
Here’s what you should do to fix the problems with the truck refrigerator not powering up:
- Remove the refrigerator to test the power supply, including the battery voltage.
- If the damage is already severe, the best thing to do is replace it.
If your fridge has trouble cooling, it may have a refrigerant leak. Check this and regas if necessary.
Volvo Truck Seat Problems
The seat should be the most comfortable part for you. However, it also has a few concerns you should fix as soon as possible.
If you have a faulty truck seat, you cannot drive properly, which increases your risk of road accidents.
To repair your seat, you can follow these steps:
- Buy a switch with a bracket.
- Remove the truck seat and replace the switch and bracket. But before doing so, ensure you check the hinge under the seat lever. You will see a metal arm with a small spring connected to it.
- You will see the micro switch bracket on the other end of the spring.
- Drill a hole on the side of the hinge and install the spring. Screw it, attaching the metal arm so it pushes against the micro switch.
Volvo Truck Steering Problems
Your Volvo truck may experience steering issues due to a worn-out steering system or, more commonly, worn-out suspension or tires.
If it is already too hard for you to steer, the truck may have low tire pressure, the steering wheel is inoperative, or there may be problems in the steering system itself.
If your truck has been in an accident, the vehicle’s frame could be bent, making maneuvering the steering difficult.
You may also experience steering issues if your truck is unevenly loaded.
The best advice is to conduct a proper diagnosis on your truck to know the specific problem that causes the steering to become faulty.
You might even need to replace some worn-out parts to ensure driving safety.
Volvo Truck Steering Wheel Problems
The steering wheel is responsible for you to control your driving. If you feel a problem with the steering wheel, get it fixed as soon as possible.
Typical steering wheel issues are:
- Steering wheel is tight when turning, typically caused by power steering system malfunction.
- Steering wheel is noisy when turning, caused by a worn-out steering rack.
- Steering wheel drifts when turning, caused by a steering gear being ‘sticky’.
Other issues with your steering system may be low power steering fluid, steering fluid leaks, failing steering rack mount, damaged steering belt, or lousy tie rods.
The best way to solve this is to take your vehicle to a certified and experienced mechanic to fix the issue. Driving a truck with steering wheel issues could lead to an accident or injury.
Volvo Truck Window Problems
Gone are the days when you need to roll down the windows of your truck manually.
Most Volvo trucks now have a power window to provide more convenience. However, it is such a nuisance if it suddenly malfunctions.
There are five major components in a Volvo truck power window that may cause it to malfunction. These are the switch, motor, regulator, circuit, and fuse.
Regardless of which part is faulty, it is best to have it fixed or replaced with your trusted mechanic, so you will not reencounter it and continue to enjoy the benefits of your power window system.
Volvo Truck Wiper Problems
The wiper helps you quickly see the road ahead while driving, especially during rainy or snowy days.
It would be best if you did not drive with a broken wiper. Thus, park your vehicle and stop driving as soon as you notice it malfunctioning, especially when it is still raining or snowing hard.
Call for repair assistance, but you can inspect it yourself while waiting.
Generally, the issue could be because the nuts that hold the wiper arms are loose, or the wiper’s linkages are damaged.
To fix, turn the wipers off and see if the nuts are loose. If they are not, the links might have to be replaced.
The sign of a broken linkage is the sound of something loose in the area below the wiper. To access the link for replacement, the wiper arms and front windshield cowl will need to be removed.
