* Part of the standard for Consumables/Chemicals.

Part No.
31298460
1161657*
983748

Removal
All vehicles
1.
Remove the front door panels according to:
Removal, replacement and installation
Body and interior
Interior
Upholstery for wall/door, side, rear shelf,
luggage rack

2.

3.
Use: Universal oil, 1161657

4.

Install the adapter cable
Caution! Ensure that the cable from the rear
view mirror enters the connector from
underneath.

5.
Carry out the same procedure with the little
connector.

Installation
All vehicles
6.
To install, reverse the removal procedure.

§ Volvo Car Customer Service
TJ Instruction
No25788
Date
January 2012
Issue 01

Title

BLIS fault tracing.

Affected vehicles
Year
2006-

Model
C70 (06-)

Material
Material
Quantity
Universal oil
1
Cable tie
1
* Part of the standard for Consumables/Chemicals.

Part No.
1161657*
983748

Removal
All vehicles
1.
Remove the door panels according to
Removal, replacement and installation
Body and interior
Interior
Upholstery for wall/door, side, rear shelf,
luggage rack

2.

3.
Use: Universal oil, 1161657

4.

Caution! Ensure that the cable from the rear
view mirror enters the connector from
underneath.

Vehicles with Blind Spot
Information System (BLIS)
5.

Carry out the same procedure with the
little connector.

Installation
All vehicles
6.
To install, reverse the removal procedure.

§ Volvo Car Customer Service
TJ Instruction
No25788
Date
January 2012
Issue 01

Title

BLIS fault tracing.

Affected vehicles
Year
20042004-

Model
S40 (04-)
V50

Material
Material
Quantity
Universal oil
1
Cable tie
1
* Part of the standard for Consumables/Chemicals.

Part No.
1161657*
983748

Removal
All vehicles
1.
Remove the door panels according to
Removal, replacement and installation
Body and interior
Interior
Upholstery for wall/door, side, rear shelf,
luggage rack

2.
Use: Universal oil, 1161657

3.

Caution! Ensure that the cable from the rear
view mirror enters the connector from
underneath.

Vehicles with Blind Spot
Information System (BLIS)
4.

Carry out the same procedure with the
little connector.

Installation
All vehicles
5.
To install, reverse the removal procedure.

Retailer Technical Journal 21232
BLIS Functionality and Diagnostic Guide

Date 7-27-2009
Volvo Cars of North America, LLC
Technical Engineering

Reference: VIDA, TIE

Note! If using a printed copy of this Retailer Technical Journal, first check for the
latest online version.
This document is applicable to all Vehicles equipped with the Blind Spot Information System
(BLIS).
BLIS is an information system that's designed to alert the driver of another vehicle possibly in
the "blind spot". BLIS is intended mainly as a driver aid for dense traffic on multi-lane highway
driving. When another vehicle enters the detection area, such as the BLIS equipped vehicle
is passing or being passed by another, the driver will get a continuous light from one of the
two indicators (LED's) while an object is being detected. The purpose of this indication is to
alert the driver of the possibility of another vehicle in the detection area and for them to check
prior to taking action.

1 = BLIS camera
2 = BLIS indicator (LED)
3 = BLIS symbol

System limitations:
- BLIS does not work in sharp curves.
- BLIS does not function when the vehicle is backing up
- If you are towing a wide trailer, this may prevent the BLIS cameras from detecting other
vehicles in adjacent lanes.
- BLIS does not react to cyclists or mopeds.
- BLIS is designed to alert the driver of vehicles driving alongside going in the same direction.
- The BLIS cameras have the same limitations as the human eye. In other words, their "vision
is impaired" by adverse weather conditions such as heavy snowfall/rain, dense fog, etc.

Copyright ©2009 Volvo Cars of North America, LLC. All rights reserved.

Page 1 of 6

Functional description
Detection area
The picture below shows the critical area that may not be seen in the outer rear view mirrors
which also is the area where BLIS, is designed to at minimum, detect other vehicles.
A = approximately 31 ft. (9,5 m)
B = approximately 10 ft. (3,0 m)

Day/Night mode
In daylight the system reacts to the shape of the surrounding vehicles. The system is
designed to help detect motor vehicles such as cars, trucks, buses and motorcycles.
In darkness the system reacts to the headlamps of surrounding vehicles. If the headlamps of
surrounding vehicles are not switched on then the system does not detect the vehicles.
This means for example that the system does not react to a trailer without headlamps which
is towed behind another vehicle
When is BLIS operational
The system is "default on" (set to be on each time the vehicle is started). At vehicle speeds of
6 mph (10 km/h) and above the system will indicate another vehicle in the blind spot.
The system is designed to indicate another vehicle in the blind spot if:
- you pass another vehicle at a speed of up to 6 mph (10 km/h) faster than the other vehicle.
- another vehicle passes you travelling up to 43 mph (70 km/h) faster than you are travelling.
It is possible to stop the BLIS indications to
the driver by selecting the "BLIS OFF/ON
button".
When BLIS "OFF" is selected the LED in
the button goes out and a text message is
shown on the Driver Information Module
(DIM).
IMPORTANT NOTE: this only turns off the
communication to the driver, the system is still
be operating in the background.

If there is a need to reset the system you
need to turn the engine off and restart.
Copyright ©2009 Volvo Cars of North America, LLC. All rights reserved.

Page 2 of 6

Technical description
BLIS is a camera based system; the camera's take 25 pictures per second and compares
them to a pre-determined algorithm (step-by-step problem-solving procedure) based on
picture size/shape and delta (changes in) velocity.
False indications
The system detection algorithm is designed to read sharp contoured shapes that are in the
detection area (cars, busses, trucks, motorcycles). Light reflections and shadows can trigger
warnings since the camera can't always distinguish these from real objects. Advise the
customer the system is operating as intended. Inform the customer why and how the
continuous light from one of the two indicators (LED's) is present and that BLIS is an
information system.
Here are some examples of situations where the BLIS indicator lamp may illuminate even if
there is no other vehicle within the blind spot.
Reflections from shiny wet road surface or
puddle.

Low sun shining into the camera.

Own shadow on large light smooth surface,
e.g. noise barrier or concrete road surface.

Copyright ©2009 Volvo Cars of North America, LLC. All rights reserved.

Page 3 of 6

Decreased system functionality / Messages in DIM
The BLIS system has a self diagnostic system to inform the driver about potential decreased
system functionality. The diagnostic system software (SW) is included in the camera module
units and the LH - RH cameras operate independently of each other. If either one of the
camera's meet the criteria for decreased functionality the driver will be informed via flashing
LED indicators and/or DIM message.
In addition to the "OFF/ON" indications there are three possible DIM messages to the driver:
1. BLIS Reduced function
This message informs the driver that the light conditions for either of the cameras is reduced
and that the camera may not detect all objects due to low contrast conditions. The camera
resets itself when the environment has returned to "normal". The "counters" in the diagnostic
algorithms are reset to zero automatically when the light conditions are back to normal or an
object with the headlamps on (night mode) is entering the BLIS detection area. The DIM
message is removed automatically. Each of the cameras will continuously monitor the images
and reset themselves when considered normal.
Examples of conditions that may give "Reduced function" message in DIM:
1.
During dusk/dawn due to low light (most common cause of "reduced function").
2.
Driving in complete darkness for longer than 10 minutes (safety reason since the
cameras can not decide whether they are blocked or that there is no objects to detect).
3.
Heavy rain or snow due to low light
4.
Moisture on the Lens
5.
Thin layer of dirt caused by dust, salt, etc
6.
Strong light that saturates the image in a way that objects can not be recognized
What to do?
- Verify outside conditions noting amount of sunlight, weather, driving direction (North, South,
East, West), time of day.
- Ensure the lens is clean: Clean with a soft cloth or a damp sponge. Clean the lenses
carefully so that they are not scratched.
- Check the function of the lens defroster: The heater is active in temperatures below 82ºF
(28ºC). You should be able to feel the heater with your finger; the area around the chrome
ring/lens should be "warm to the touch", or use ice spray (PN 1161731) spray on the lens and
see if the ice melts.
If the system does not reset, turn the engine off and restart.
AGAIN NOTE! The BLIS system will not be reset by selecting the OFF/ON button. This will
only stop/start the LED indication to the driver. The system will still work under the same
conditions in the background.
Inform the customer that the system is OK. The message is to inform the driver of the actual
status of the system in the current driving conditions.
Copyright ©2009 Volvo Cars of North America, LLC. All rights reserved.

Page 4 of 6

2. Camera blocked
When the camera has been reporting ”Reduced function" in excess of 10 minutes without
change the system shifts over to the "Camera Blocked" message in the DIM, and will be
displayed together with a constant flashing from the BLIS LED's. This is the BLIS systems
way to inform the driver that the BLIS system can't work under the current driving conditions.
Examples of conditions that may give Camera Blocked message in DIM
- During dawn / dusk - Low sun, it's dark on one side of the car and bright on the other.
- Heavy rain or snow - The camera gets blocked.
- Moisture on the Lens
What to do?
- Verify outside conditions noting amount of sunlight, weather, driving direction (North, South,
East, West), time of day.
- Ensure the lens is clean - Clean with a soft cloth or a damp sponge. Clean the lenses
carefully so that they are not scratched.
- Check the function of the lens defroster: The heater is active in temperatures below 82ºF
(28ºC). You should be able to feel the heater with your finger; the area around the chrome
ring/lens should be "warm to the touch", or use ice spray (PN 1161731) spray on the lens and
see if the ice melts.
If the system does not reset, turn the engine off and restart.
AGAIN NOTE! The BLIS system will not be reset by selecting the OFF/ON button. This will
only stop/start the LED indication to the driver. The system will still work under the same
conditions in the background.
Inform the customer that the system is OK. The message is to inform the driver of the actual
status of the system in the current driving conditions.

Copyright ©2009 Volvo Cars of North America, LLC. All rights reserved.

Page 5 of 6

3. BLIS Service Required
"BLIS Service Required" message in the DIM informs the driver that there can be an internal
failure within the system. i.e. communication internally within the camera, between the
cameras and car communication system or a short circuit of one of the indicator LED's. This
means that there is a risk that the camera may not correctly identify another vehicle in the
detection area or being able to inform the driver.
What to do?
- Check the function of the lens defroster: The heater is active in temperatures below 82ºF
(28ºC). You should be able to feel the heater with your finger; the area around the chrome
ring/lens should be "warm to the touch", or use ice spray (PN 1161731) spray on the lens and
see if the ice melts.
- Check for any relevant Retailer Technical Journals and follow the instructions
- Read out fault codes and consult the CSC symptom based fault tracing in VIDA; take
appropriate action.
- Reset the system and see if the message returns, if the message returns; replace the
mirror.

VOLVO for life,
Volvo Cars of North America, LLC
Technical Engineering

Copyright ©2009 Volvo Cars of North America, LLC. All rights reserved.

Page 6 of 6

Page 1 of 3

§ Volvo Car Customer Service
RTJ Instruction
No.24108
March 2011
Issue 01

Title

Message in DIM "BLIS Service Required".

Material

Quantity

Part No.

Electrical tape

***

9511028

***NOTE: 1 FULL ROLL OF TAPE IS NOT REQUIRED FOR EACH REPAIR. Part number is listed for
reference only.
1 ROLL OF TAPE WILL COMPLETE APPROXIMATELY 25 VEHICLES.

Note! Some variation in the
illustrations may occur, but the
essential information is always correct

1.
Caution! Protect the paint

Instruction TJ

Page 2 of 3

2.

Loosen the rear view mirrors
according to:
Removal, replacement and
installation
8. Body and interior
84. Exterior trim, glass, seals

3.
Caution! Do not damage any
cables

MM

Remove the felt tape from the
marked area.

4.
Use: Insulating tape, 9511 028

Instruction TJ

Page 3 of 3

5.

6.
To install, reverse the removal
procedure.