If you own a late model Volvo, chances are, you have seen this message before. There are many reasons why this message could come up, however a very common cause is the back-up battery has failed.
The back-up battery is there to provide power to the Vehicle Connectivity Module (VCM) so that it can send out a help request if the vehicle is in an accident and vehicle power is lost.
A technician running diagnostics may see the following faults in the VCM:
- U210909 Back-up Battery, Component Failures
- U210996 Back-up Battery, Component Internal Fault
- U105000 Back-up Battery Life Exceedance
It is no secret that these faults usually indicate a depleted and/or failed Back-up Battery. This can often times be a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) repair but some VCMs can be difficult to get to.
Another cause for this message and these faults, is a Software Issue. A few 2017s and many 2018s can falsely set these errors, reference Technical Journal TJ 33806.2.2
For most vehicles between 2017-2024, Technical Journal TJ 36916.1.0 applies.
Software Updates are a little less "DIY" since they require access to Volvo VIDA and a DoIP Cable. But they are available to anyone willing to purchase. We are well equipped to handle these types of repairs and whether you want to handle the battery yourself or let us do the complete repair, we are happy to help!
