I have a 2003 XC90 D5 and I lose power to the instument panel. It started intermittently: sometimes fully working, then blank (all lights off, needles at zero). Now it is definitely broken!

I would appreciate any advice or suggestions...

Those times I have had it working, there have been a couple of warnings in the message centre (eg SRS airbag service urgent, brake failure) and also the panel froze once: the speedo and revcounter needles froze in place for a few seconds, then I got the brake failure warning, then all went dead.

The car runs fine: lights, indicators, satnav, hifi all work normally, and it drives perfectly. On startup now all I see is the engine check symbol illuminated, nothing else.

An independent Volvo specialist checked error codes, and just found a 'communication error' with the control unit of the instrument panel, nothing more specific than that. I have also had a mechanic remove the panel to check the plugs are all connected.

He wants to check a control unit that is located somewhere in the panel under the windscreen wipers, which apparently could have had water ingress. Apart from this, I am looking at replacement, costing 700 plus pounds...

Any ideas welcome!

Thanks.