Today on my way to work I got the "low coolant / stop asap" message on the DIM. I pulled over, opened the coolant reservoir cap, and found that the level was down to the bottom of the reservoir. There were also signs that the coolant had boiled over (steam, fluid splashed around the reservoir. No signs of leakage from any coolant lines.
I topped off the coolant and started the engine again with the reservoir cap off. On my OBD scanner I saw that the ECT was reported as 212F which is pretty high for my engine. I also noticed that the engine cooling fan wasn't running. I turned the climate control system to heat and set the blower fan to max, and within a few minutes the ECT reading had dropped to ~195F, pretty normal for my engine.
My assumption is that the cooling fan isn't running, preventing the radiator from properly cooling the system. This has happened a few times before, for the following reasons:
- ECT sensor disconnected or malfunctioning
- Cooling fan control wire disconnected or severed
In this case, however, I feel that the ECT sensor reading is good, based on my observations above. I also verified that the cooling fan control wire was connected. I back-probed the control wire on the wiring harness side of the connector and it read ~13.3V, which seems correct for if the ECM is calling for the cooling fan to activate. I also checked the voltage at the cooling fan power connector and it also read ~13.3V. I checked the fuse that handles the cooling fan and it registered ~13.3V on both sides. I checked the fan blades themselves and there wasn't anything obstructing me from turning them manually.
At this point it seems like the problem must be somewhere between the cooling fan power and signal connectors and the fan motor. I haven't yet checked for DTCs in VIDA but could do that. Any suggestions what to check next? Fan controller, motor, or wiring?
[2001 V70 2.4T] Low coolant, high coolant temp, no cooling fan Topic is solved
- prwood
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[2001 V70 2.4T] Low coolant, high coolant temp, no cooling fan
Cars I've owned:
- 2015 to current: 2001 Volvo V70 2.4T; 2004 Honda Odyssey
- 2007 to 2015: 2002 Subaru Legacy L Wagon
- 2003 to 2016: 2001 Toyota Corolla LE
- 1999 to 2003: 1994 Toyota Camry LE
- 2015 to current: 2001 Volvo V70 2.4T; 2004 Honda Odyssey
- 2007 to 2015: 2002 Subaru Legacy L Wagon
- 2003 to 2016: 2001 Toyota Corolla LE
- 1999 to 2003: 1994 Toyota Camry LE
- abscate
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Coolant temps between 87-105C are totally normal. At about 105-110C the fan should kick on, though.
I did a documentation on this sitting in the Nexus line at the Canadian border in my T5
I did a documentation on this sitting in the Nexus line at the Canadian border in my T5
Empty Nester
A Captain in a Sea of Estrogen
1999-V70-T5M56 2005-V70-M56 1999-S70 VW T4 BMW
Link to Maintenance record thread
Link To Volvo Glossary
A Captain in a Sea of Estrogen
1999-V70-T5M56 2005-V70-M56 1999-S70 VW T4 BMW
Link to Maintenance record thread
Link To Volvo Glossary
- oragex
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As abscate, nothing to worry (220F - about 105C). The thermostat is fully open at 95C but the fan kicks in quite much later.
I'd try a used reservoir cap, and also see if the small return hose at the reservoir is tight enough- this little clamp can get weak and let pressure escape
I'd try a used reservoir cap, and also see if the small return hose at the reservoir is tight enough- this little clamp can get weak and let pressure escape
Several Volvo Repair Videos https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=P ... s0FSVSOT_c
- abscate
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Peter. Put your AC high, full cool and I think that’s should activate and confirm your fan is working.
Used from a pick And pull is best source
Used from a pick And pull is best source
Empty Nester
A Captain in a Sea of Estrogen
1999-V70-T5M56 2005-V70-M56 1999-S70 VW T4 BMW
Link to Maintenance record thread
Link To Volvo Glossary
A Captain in a Sea of Estrogen
1999-V70-T5M56 2005-V70-M56 1999-S70 VW T4 BMW
Link to Maintenance record thread
Link To Volvo Glossary
- prwood
- Posts: 568
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Aaaaaand it turns out it was the fan signal getting severed. Again.
Last time I did a quick fix with a wire nut.
This time I spliced and soldered it back together properly.
Last time I did a quick fix with a wire nut.
This time I spliced and soldered it back together properly.
Cars I've owned:
- 2015 to current: 2001 Volvo V70 2.4T; 2004 Honda Odyssey
- 2007 to 2015: 2002 Subaru Legacy L Wagon
- 2003 to 2016: 2001 Toyota Corolla LE
- 1999 to 2003: 1994 Toyota Camry LE
- 2015 to current: 2001 Volvo V70 2.4T; 2004 Honda Odyssey
- 2007 to 2015: 2002 Subaru Legacy L Wagon
- 2003 to 2016: 2001 Toyota Corolla LE
- 1999 to 2003: 1994 Toyota Camry LE
- abscate
- MVS Moderator
- Posts: 24112
- Joined: Sun Feb 17, 2013 5:54 pm
- Year and Model: 99T5 ,99S70,2005V70
- Location: NYC, ALBANY NY
- Has thanked: 458 times
- Been thanked: 1363 times
Last time I did a quick fix with a wire nut.



My late father (Saturn V, LEM, Shuttle, Concorde)
There is always enough time to do the job again, correctly.
Empty Nester
A Captain in a Sea of Estrogen
1999-V70-T5M56 2005-V70-M56 1999-S70 VW T4 BMW
Link to Maintenance record thread
Link To Volvo Glossary
A Captain in a Sea of Estrogen
1999-V70-T5M56 2005-V70-M56 1999-S70 VW T4 BMW
Link to Maintenance record thread
Link To Volvo Glossary
- prwood
- Posts: 568
- Joined: Fri Oct 02, 2015 9:24 am
- Year and Model: 2001 V70 2.4T
- Location: Salem, Massachusetts, USA
- Has thanked: 8 times
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- Contact:
Hopefully he would be proud of my splice job, done to NASA standards:
[youtube][/youtube]
[youtube][/youtube]
Cars I've owned:
- 2015 to current: 2001 Volvo V70 2.4T; 2004 Honda Odyssey
- 2007 to 2015: 2002 Subaru Legacy L Wagon
- 2003 to 2016: 2001 Toyota Corolla LE
- 1999 to 2003: 1994 Toyota Camry LE
- 2015 to current: 2001 Volvo V70 2.4T; 2004 Honda Odyssey
- 2007 to 2015: 2002 Subaru Legacy L Wagon
- 2003 to 2016: 2001 Toyota Corolla LE
- 1999 to 2003: 1994 Toyota Camry LE
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