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check engine light

Help, Advice and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's P80 platform cars -- Volvo's 1990s "bread and butter" cars -- powered by the ubiquitous and durable Volvo inline 5-cylinder engine.

1992 - 1997 850, including 850 R, 850 T-5R, 850 T-5, 850 GLT
1997 - 2000 S70, S70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70, V70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70-XC
1997 - 2004 C70

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fergiegus
Posts: 2
Joined: 18 October 2005
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Location: columbia md

check engine light

Post by fergiegus »

The "service" light has come on (lower right corner of dash) and the wonderful mechanic says it would be 240.00 to find out what it means... anybody know of a reasonable way to find out what the computer is telling me?

Glenn
'94 850 turbo wagon

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matthew1  
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Year and Model: 850 T5, 1997
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Post by matthew1 »

Tell your $240 mechanic to go f**k himself.

That's robbery.

IF IT'S THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT
You can check the code(s) for free by yourself. Go to the "Volvo Repair Database" dropdown near the top of this page and go to the 850 section and release on "How to check codes '93-'95"

Or go to the 850 page using the navigation at page top and look for the same link there.

IF IT'S THE SERVICE LIGHT
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/reset.php
Help keep MVS on the web -> click sponsors' links here on MVS when you buy from them.

Also -> Amazon link
. Click that when you go to buy something on Amazon and MVS gets a cut!

1998 V70, no dash lights on

1997 850 T5 [gone] w/ MSD ignition coil, Hallman manual boost controller, injectors, R bumper, OMP strut brace

2004 V70 R [gone]

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fergiegus
Posts: 2
Joined: 18 October 2005
Year and Model:
Location: columbia md

Post by fergiegus »

Thanks Matt,
that's why I'm on this forum!

G

jc1688
Posts: 5
Joined: 16 October 2005
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Post by jc1688 »

hmm... try your dealer maybe?

or just go to ebay and buy one of those OBD II scanner to read the code~

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Tsquared
Posts: 519
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Year and Model: 11 C30
Location: Atlanta GA
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Post by Tsquared »

jc1688 wrote:hmm... try your dealer maybe?

or just go to ebay and buy one of those OBD II scanner to read the code~
Sorry JC but the 94 was an OBD I system... Matthew had the best answer once again, and he also showed where to look for the various codes.

T
'11 C30 T5

'96 854 - died an early death with 184K miles. Killed by the front end of an LTD on a suicide mission (T-boned and both cars totaled).

guest mn

Post by guest mn »

Hi Matt - '94 850 wagon, I tried to clear the CE code using the instructions I found on this site:
IF IT'S THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT
You can check the code(s) for free by yourself. Go to the "Volvo Repair Database" dropdown near the top of this page and go to the 850 section and release on "How to check codes '93-'95"

Or go to the 850 page using the navigation at page top and look for the same link there.

but even after several tries it didn't work. Any ideas why?
THANKS![/quote]

White850Turbo
Posts: 923
Joined: 11 April 2004
Year and Model:
Location: Plano, TX

Post by White850Turbo »

Yup. To clear the codes, you must read all of them (get to the point that the first code is repeated) first.

An insider tip: If a mechanic tells you some outrageous price for a service that we all know doesn't cost anywhere near that much, chances are that he doesn't feel like working on it, he doesn't like you, or he's just trying to rip you off. This is also what some mechanics will do if they don't know how to fix a problem. They suggest that it's part X and it'll cost $2000 to replace, at which point, most customers just say "forget about it". Whatever the case, it's best to find a new mechanic or be your own mechanic :wink: .
-Sean

1995 850 Turbo (Extensively Modded)

1998 S70 T5 (Almost Stock)

guest mn

Post by guest mn »

Thanks, White - okay I'm new at this - how do I clear the codes? I've read about clearing ignition codes and fuel sensor codes on this site, but not a general clearing. Maybe they're the same. Could you humor an old man and tell me how?
Thanks again!
guest mn

White850Turbo
Posts: 923
Joined: 11 April 2004
Year and Model:
Location: Plano, TX

Post by White850Turbo »

Yes, it's the same thing as clearing your engine/fuel system codes, etc.
-Sean

1995 850 Turbo (Extensively Modded)

1998 S70 T5 (Almost Stock)

Guest

Post by Guest »

Before going to the volvo dealer, it's interesting to know why the check engine light is on. Usually, there is absolultly no reason for it to be on.
It has been at least 3 times on my S70 that has know 120 000 miles on the clock and each time the volvo dealer just reset the system because there was no problem.

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