Weird light w/ a fan in it

Dolly · Post by **Dolly** » 16 Sep 2010, 14:51

Hi everyone, I just bought a 2000 V70XC and after driving it about 200 miles a weird light came on that is red w/a fan in the middle of the light and water on the bottom. I checked the coolent level and it was low, so I filled it. That helped the probelm for another 100 miles then it came on again. I looked at the engine and although the car run fine, the fan is not turning. I turned it off and the fan did not come on to cool it either. I let the car cool fro a bit then turned it on and the fan was on. I am stumped!! Any suggestions out there. The wagon has about 125,000 miles on it.

Post by **jblackburn** » 16 Sep 2010, 15:03

That's the low coolant light. It's either a bad sensor, or it is genuinely low on coolant...the level in the expansion tank will drop once the engine warms up and the thermostat opens.

You may have a leak somewhere, do you notice anything dripping on the ground or a sweet, syrupy smell from your heater?

Dolly · Post by **Dolly** » 16 Sep 2010, 15:14

I have not seen any leakages and no odors either. it was low on coolent when I checked it the first time. I will start looking for drips though. Thanks for the advice
Dolly

Post by **JRL** » 16 Sep 2010, 15:17

The coolant tank may have a leak,(cracked) pretty common issue
Lift it out (it just lifts right out) and look at the bottom and at the hose connections.
The other place would be the bottom of your radiator.
Third place is your heater core.
Did you try the heater, does it have a funky smell when you first turn it on?
if so, pull up the carpet, the heater core is almost in the middle behind the console, towards the firewall and it WILL be wet under tha carpet if the leak just started

Dolly · Post by **Dolly** » 16 Sep 2010, 15:47

I did try the heater and no funny smell. I had a heater core problem with my 750GLE a few years back, so I am familiar with that sore smell and I know exactly wear to look for the leak. I will check the tank and check under the carpet in case it is a new leak. At least it gives me a lead on the issue. I was thinking it was the fan becasue the light has a fan in it. I need to invest in the manual and a Chilton book of some sort for repairs I can do.
thanks
Dolly

Post by **FlyingVolvo** » 16 Sep 2010, 18:05

Honestly, this site is better than any manual out there for learning how to do stuff yourself.

vantassell · Post by **vantassell** » 16 Sep 2010, 18:56

ecbsykes wrote:Honestly, this site is better than any manual out there for learning how to do stuff yourself.

Oh yeah, this is WAY better than any manual.

I'm guessing that you filled up the expansion tank, but since you were so low you need to fill it up again since your thermostat opened and let all the expansion coolant into the system.