S70 Volvo 1999 Peculiar Warning Symbol on Dash

kismet7 · Post by **kismet7** » 17 Dec 2009, 08:44

I just purchased a used 1999 S70. Of course, after everything's all taken care of, my yellow "service" light came on. In addition to that, a red light with what looks like the symbol for water appeared; it has some sort of "flag" sticking up out of the water. The light is on the right side of the dash. I don't have a manual and was wondering if anybody knows what that symbol means? I checked all my fluids, and they look fine.

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 17 Dec 2009, 10:46

The Service light is just a mileage activated reminder for oil changes and such.
There are reset instructions for it around here somewhere...
The other is probably a low coolant light, but here's a link to your manual, just to be sure:
http://new.volvocars.com/ownersdocs/199 ... 70_000.htm

kismet7 · Post by **kismet7** » 17 Dec 2009, 11:33

Thank you so much! I just drove the car down from NY to GA; my husband noticed that the coolant level was a little below the half-way mark, but there's still some in there. I understand that Volvos use a particular kind of coolant. Do you know where I can purchase it? Are there any comparable substitutes? Your reply to my origial post got cut off, so you may have answered this already...

Post by **jblackburn** » 17 Dec 2009, 11:41

You can the Volvo coolant at a dealer. That's really the only place I know to get it, and my dealer is 50 miles away. I just run entirely Prestone in mine, but it's probably better to not mix them. If yours is a ridiculously dark green color, that's the Volvo coolant in there.

As far as resetting the service light, you're in luck! With a 99, all you have to do is hold the odometer reset button down, then stick the key in and turn it to position II (don't start). Continue holding the button, and the Service light will flash and it is now reset.

FCPEURO · Post by **FCPEURO** » 17 Dec 2009, 11:43

The second one id definitely a low coolant light. I would check the level as soon as you can. You don't want to overheat and blow your head gasket.

peacock · Post by **peacock** » 17 Dec 2009, 13:22

i own a 1998 s70 and none of the reset instructions any ware have worked for my system.

theres an even odder symbol on the dash its a red background with a green triangle and a black Lambda inside.

Post by **jblackburn** » 17 Dec 2009, 13:32

It won't work on a 97 or 98. You have to buy a special service light reset tool for that. Believe me, I've tried too

I'm just going to yank the bulb this summer when I go in there to fix a burned out light and change my evaporator

I've never seen that light you describe before, even with the whole dash lit up.

Post by **polskamafia mjl** » 17 Dec 2009, 16:13

Isn't the Lambda symbol the check engine light in other parts of the world??

Post by **misha** » 17 Dec 2009, 16:15

jablackburn wrote:I've never seen that light you describe before, even with the whole dash lit up.

That light is check engine light at the rest of the world(except u.s.a).

Post by **polskamafia mjl** » 17 Dec 2009, 16:30

Like I said. lol