Electronic Diagnostics: Volvo V40 5-cyl diesel
Tracing and fixing faults in electronic engine management systems
Volvo’s V40 can make a very effective used buy, and frugal too with the company’s own five-cylinder 2.0-litre diesel engine. Kim
Henson and Edward Haggar lift the diagnostic lid on a 2013 example.
The first V40 five-door estate car (derived from the S40 saloon) was the result of a joint project between Volvo and Mitsubishi, and was produced from
1995 until 2004. Second-generation S40 saloons (incorporating many aspects of contemporary Ford Focus and Mazda3 models) spanned the years 2004 to
2012, however from 2004 the V40 estate disappeared in favour of a new V50 estate during those years.
However, the V40 model name came back from 2013 (until 2019), and the new car was hailed for its practicality and build quality. Engine options included a wide variety of petrol and diesel units, including Volvo’s own 2.0-litre five-cylinder turbodiesel. Engine apart, much of the model was related to Ford’s Focus, but the Volvo was considered more upmarket.
This month we are looking at a 2013 example equipped with this fivecylinder engine. In fact, the car we photographed is an ‘R-design’ version, with many standard-fit enhancements, but in terms of diagnostics the approach is similar for all variants. Our diagnostic guide to this Volvo is Edward Haggar.
Preparation
In many respects this Volvo model is quite easy to work on for the do-it-yourself mechanic, and there are no fears when it comes to servicing aspects at least.
It is important to appreciate that the engine oil level as indicated by the dipstick should be approximately two-thirds of the way up between the ‘minimum’ and ‘maximum’ level markers. This is to allow for an increase in the oil level, caused by the regeneration process (and the deposits of soot that are displaced by it). If the oil level starts off at the ‘maximum’ level, the regeneration process will cause the level to rise, triggering illumination of the warning lamp showing that the engine has been over-filled with oil.
A critical aspect of keeping this dieselpowered V40 on top form is to ensure that the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) is unobstructed. If the ‘DPF’ symbol illuminates on the dash, it is telling the driver that regeneration is required. If this happens when the car is being driven, it’s important NOT to switch off the engine before regeneration has been actioned, or the DPF system will shut down and the filter will become further clogged.
If the vehicle does not ‘self-regenerate’, a forced regeneration needs to take place. Proceed as follows:
1. Ensure that the engine is at optimum running temperature.
2. Drive for 20 minutes on a main road or motorway (at a reasonably high but legal and safe speed).
3. Watch for the ‘DPF’ symbol on the dash to extinguish, indicating that regeneration has been successfully completed. If the symbol doesn’t extinguish, further attention is required.