What are the symptoms? What is the model year/ engine? I, having no expreince with the rear end of an XC90, have a hard time believing that the diff and haldex unit are so intertwined that it is not possible to tell which one has failed.

 

Totally agree Raymansean! Which is why I have been hunting for some advice on this forum. Just today I had a breakthrough with a new Volvo dealer on the Northern Beaches of Sydney. After paying Syndey's biggest Volvo dealer $200 to diagnose the fault and being told i need to replace the lot for $8,500- I tried this new dealership- they worked with Volvo technical and identified the fault was the electric oil pump. $1,200 to replace it and BANG!!! we have Haldex!
What the original dealer did was tantamount to FRAUD - and I intend to make them pay ...and dearly!

My advice to anyone with a HALDEX issue- map it clear to the dealer that you know about the scam! My 2007 V8 has only 50,000kms (30,000 miles) and it was obvious that the whole diff had not failed!

If you are reading this in Australia - go to G Brothers Volvo in Narabeen- the service manager Ben is the real deal. He even called the technician in to speak to me about the car.

 

Glad you resolved your Haldex problems without being cheated. Happy to say I have a great independent mechanic in Denver Colorado. Any problems I've had with my Volvos are quickly resolved at prices which are lower than average--and he's never charged me for diagnostic work. This guy is one of the reasons I own Volvos. Finding a good independent mechanic for the type of car you own can be very important to your pocketbook, as well as your piece of mind.

 

FYI, when our Haldex did not work while it was under warranty, they replaced the pump and that wasn't it, the thing was not throwing any codes to the amazement of the engineer, and a friend who is the service manager at an Acura dealer.

Problem wound up being a faulty temperature sensor, and it thought it was overheating and would not engage. Replace sensor, and it was back in service!

 

That's why I "test" mine often in the winter. There are several failures that won't throw any codes to tell you it's broken. A intentional quick slip of the front wheels will tell you if it's working.