VOLVO CAR

SERVICE AND PARTS BUSINESS

Technical Journal
TITLE:

Vibration, Noise and Harshness related complaints (NVH)
REF NO:

ISSUING DEPARTMENT:

CAR MARKET:

TJ 20803

Technical Service

United States and Canada

PARTNER:

ISSUE DATE:

STATUS DATE:

3 US 7510 Volvo Car USA

2016-03-18

2016-03-24

FUNC GROUP:

FUNC DESC:

2185

Engine undershield

Page 1 of 11

“Right first time in Time”
Attachment
File Name
Attachment Form TJ 20803.pdf
Attachment TJ 20803.pdf

File Size
0.0699 MB
0.0678 MB

Vehicle Type
Type
124
134
13X
155
157
256
275
285
295
384
5XX

Eng

Eng
Desc

Sales

Body

Gear

Steer

Model Year
2007-9999
2011-9999
2008-9999
2011-9999
2015-9999
2015-9999
2007-9999
2007-9999
2007-9999
2007-9999
2007-9999

Plant

Chassis range
0000850-9999999
0000194-9999999
0000395-9999999
0000100-9999999
0000001-0999999
0000001-0999999
0328000-9999999
0617000-9999999
0254000-9999999
0600000-9999999
0010000-9999999

Struc Week
Range
200620-999999
201020-999999
200720-999999
201035-999999
201450-999952
201505-999952
200620-999999
200620-999999
200620-999999
200620-999999
200620-999999

Produced in the USA and available as an electronic document. Hard copy documents are printed in USA on recycled paper containing
a minimum of 50% wastepaper and 10% post-consumer waste.
© 2016 VOLVO CAR USA, LLC

Technical Journal 20803
CSC Customer Symptom Codes
Code
C4
F3
F6
8N
F1
F2
ZE
XB
WX
WT
F4
C3
F5
C6
D2
WV
WY
X1
H3
H4
X8
E7
WZ
8J
1M
1N
V6
V7
NY
V9
8A
W2
V2
W3
X7
V1

Description
Complete vehicle/Unusual noise/While driving
Complete vehicle/Unusual noise/During acceleration
Complete vehicle/Unusual noise/During deceleration
Driving/Unusual noise/Unsure when/at all times
Driving/Unusual noise/At engine shut off
Driving/Unusual noise/During acceleration
Idling/Unusual noise
Exhaust system/Rattle/rumble
Engine cooling fan (FC)/Unusual noise
Accelerator pedal/Squeak
Clutch/Unusual noise/Noise from engine compartment
Automatic transmission/Unusual noise
Gear selector/Unusual noise
Manual transmission/Unusual noise
Front/rear axle/Unusual noise
Suspension/Clicking/clonking noise/At start/stop
Suspension/Clicking/clonking noise/Unsure when/at all times
Suspension/Unusual noise
Steering wheel/Squeak/rattle/Steering column/wheel
Steering/Unusual noise/Unsure when/at all times
Steering/Unusual noise/At full turn
Suspension/Unusual noise
Suspension/Clicking/clonking noise
Shock absorption/Unusual noise
Wheels, tires, hubs/Unusual noise/Front
Wheels, tires, hubs/Unusual noise/Rear
Complete vehicle/Vibration/When driving below 45 MPH
Complete vehicle/Vibration/When driving above 45 MPH
Automatic transmission/Vibration
Gear selector/Vibration
Manual transmission/Vibration
Front/rear axle/Vibration/shake
Steering wheel/Vibration/shimmy/When driving above 45 mph
Steering wheel/Vibration/shimmy/When driving below 45 mph
Steering wheel/Vibration/shimmy/At idle
Tires/Vibration/out of round

VST Operation Number

Page 2 of 11

2016-03-24

Technical Journal 20803
DTC Diagnostic Trouble Codes
Rows beginning with * are modified
Note! If using a printed copy of this Technical Journal, first check for the latest online version.
Text
DESCRIPTION:
* UPDATED VEHICLE PROFILE
In case of complain of Noise, Vibration or Harshness, NVH, and you need help from CMQ, some
“tools” have been created to help you to do a better and more precise fault tracing.
In the attachment you can find a guideline to help you to sort out NVH related problems.
SERVICE:
N/A
VEHICLE REPORT:
Yes, together with a complete filled in attachment, included in this journal.
The attachment MUST be in English when sending in it to CMQ.
Use always function group 2185.

To view TJ attachments continue to net page. This TJ has two atachments.

2016-03-24

Page 3 of 11

Volvo Car Customer Service
Title
Action

Fault tracing schedule vibrations/noise
Fault tracing

Issue
1

Date
2015-03

TJ Instruction 20803
Page:
Operation number:

1 (4)

Cause
First issue

Affected vehicles
Year
All

Model
2010-

Engine

Transmission

Steering

Chassis number

TJ Instruction 20803

Page 2 (4)

Test schedule for vehicle vibrations
1.

If none of the below tests help, submit a report according to TJ: 20803

2.

To verify whether the vibrations are speed dependent or engine speed related, follow the fault
tracing below.

3.

Start by checking in which gear and at what engine speed the customer experiences the
problem.
Then test in another gear at the same engine speed.
If the fault recurs at the same engine speed but in another gear, it is engine speed related.
If the fault occurs at the same speed, but at another engine speed, it is speed related.

Speed dependent.
4.

Vibrations also remain when free-wheeling within the vibration range.
This eliminates engine vibrations.
Engine related.
5.

Occurs at the same engine speed, regardless of gear.
This eliminates the wheels as a fault source.

TJ Instruction 20803

Page 3 (4)

Wheel related.
6.

Note! Always test drive with summer tyres and genuine Volvo rims.
• Check the status of the wheel on the outside and inside (for wear, damage and dirt etc.).
• Balance the wheels.
• Fill to 3.5 bar and check that the centre line of the tyre is straight.
• Test drive another vehicle of the same specification.
If the vehicle does not vibrate, transfer the wheels from that vehicle.
Important! Install the wheels in the same positions as on the problem vehicle. Test drive the
vehicle in the same driving conditions where the vibrations occurred.
It is best if the test wheels are of another size/brand, and another type of rim.
• Measure the wheel hub according to VIDA.
• Wheel alignment.

Vehicles with AWD
7.

Exclude faults in the AWD system.
Remove the propshaft.
If the vibrations stop, fault-trace the AWD system.
If vibrations still occur, the AWD system can be excluded.

8.

Check the propshaft's CV joints.
• Booming/vibrations whilst parking (0-28 km/h) and under full acceleration.
Replace the oil pump and download software according to TJ: 27713.
• Vibration under full acceleration or near full acceleration.
Propshaft vibrations are worst around 120 km/h at constant speed
If there are no vibrations at this speed without the propshaft installed the fault is most likely
the propshaft.

TJ Instruction 20803

Page 4 (4)

Engine/Gearbox
9.

Loosen the bolts to the subframe slightly.
Rock the engine and gearbox. Check that all mounting points are centred.
Then tighten to the correct torque (see VIDA). Test drive. If vibration/noise remains, record
the noise and submit a report according to TJ: 20803

Drive shafts
10.

Vibrations caused by the drive shafts, occur at 30-50% throttle in third gear.
Does not happen when coasting.
If you suspect that it is a drive shaft problem, replace both sides at the same time.

Volvo Car Customer Service
Title
Action

Fault tracing schedule vibrations/noise
Fault tracing

Issue
1

Date
2015-03

TJ Instruction 20803
Page:
Operation number:

1 (4)

Cause
First issue

Affected vehicles
Year
All

Model
2010-

Engine

Transmission

Steering

Chassis number

TJ Instruction 20803

Page 2 (4)

Test schedule for vehicle vibrations
1.

If none of the below tests help, submit a report according to TJ: 20803

2.

To verify whether the vibrations are speed dependent or engine speed related, follow the fault
tracing below.

3.

Start by checking in which gear and at what engine speed the customer experiences the
problem.
Then test in another gear at the same engine speed.
If the fault recurs at the same engine speed but in another gear, it is engine speed related.
If the fault occurs at the same speed, but at another engine speed, it is speed related.

Speed dependent.
4.

Vibrations also remain when free-wheeling within the vibration range.
This eliminates engine vibrations.
Engine related.
5.

Occurs at the same engine speed, regardless of gear.
This eliminates the wheels as a fault source.

TJ Instruction 20803

Page 3 (4)

Wheel related.
6.

Note! Always test drive with summer tyres and genuine Volvo rims.
• Check the status of the wheel on the outside and inside (for wear, damage and dirt etc.).
• Balance the wheels.
• Fill to 3.5 bar and check that the centre line of the tyre is straight.
• Test drive another vehicle of the same specification.
If the vehicle does not vibrate, transfer the wheels from that vehicle.
Important! Install the wheels in the same positions as on the problem vehicle. Test drive the
vehicle in the same driving conditions where the vibrations occurred.
It is best if the test wheels are of another size/brand, and another type of rim.
• Measure the wheel hub according to VIDA.
• Wheel alignment.

Vehicles with AWD
7.

Exclude faults in the AWD system.
Remove the propshaft.
If the vibrations stop, fault-trace the AWD system.
If vibrations still occur, the AWD system can be excluded.

8.

Check the propshaft's CV joints.
• Booming/vibrations whilst parking (0-28 km/h) and under full acceleration.
Replace the oil pump and download software according to TJ: 27713.
• Vibration under full acceleration or near full acceleration.
Propshaft vibrations are worst around 120 km/h at constant speed
If there are no vibrations at this speed without the propshaft installed the fault is most likely
the propshaft.

TJ Instruction 20803

Page 4 (4)

Engine/Gearbox
9.

Loosen the bolts to the subframe slightly.
Rock the engine and gearbox. Check that all mounting points are centred.
Then tighten to the correct torque (see VIDA). Test drive. If vibration/noise remains, record
the noise and submit a report according to TJ: 20803

Drive shafts
10.

Vibrations caused by the drive shafts, occur at 30-50% throttle in third gear.
Does not happen when coasting.
If you suspect that it is a drive shaft problem, replace both sides at the same time.