2004 XC90 2.5T Engine Light Just Came On

Volvo Family · Post by **Volvo Family** » 28 Apr 2012, 18:08

We just purchased this vehicle last night. The usual precautionary measures were executed before purchase and everything appeared to check out. We drove the vehicle home (100 miles) last night without incident.

This afternoon a message returned that the wind shield fluid reservoir was empty. The reservoir holds a total of 6.2 Quarts. We added 5 quarts. As soon as the hood (bonnet) was closed, the message went away but the engine light came on.

Extra care was taken to make sure we added the fluid to the correct recepticle with out spillage.
There was no visible change to the vehicle as we drove it home; just the light.

I found a related issue on this forum that can "narrow" down the issue. This post references a DTC. I am unsure of this acronym. Can anyone assist?

Post by **jimmy57** » 28 Apr 2012, 23:48

The engine light comes on for a long list of reasons related to the vehicle having an issue with emissions. A great number of things on the list will not make any difference in the way it runs or fuel economy.
A lot of guesses can be made but getting the Diagnostic Trouble Code(s) read out is how you will know.
Where in Texas are you?
Autozone, OReilly's and other parts stores will read out the codes with a scan tool for no charge.

Volvo Family · Post by **Volvo Family** » 29 Apr 2012, 06:49

Thank you Jimmy57 for the tip. I will seek out an OReilly's in the area. If unsuccessful I am sure there are Autozones around. We just left Texas 2 months ago. We are Floridians now.

Thank you again.

Volvo Family · Post by **Volvo Family** » 29 Apr 2012, 15:43

Good new! We just returned from Advanced Auto. They used a diagnostic scanner that plugged into the OBDII socket located on the left inside panel near the emergency brake peddle. The scanner returned a code P0442 which I was told signifies an evaporative emissions leak. The suspected culprit was that the seal on the gas cap may have cracked (age) causing gas fumes to leak out.

The attendent cleared the code, and I refitted the gas cap. When I started the car, the engine light was NOT on. We drove around a bit and the light is still off. Should the engine light come back on we are prepare to purchase a new gas cap.
We are confident that this was the problem.

We are grateful to Jimmy57 for his suggestion and that we did not have to drive to the Dealership to diagnose the problem. I am sure we would have been charged a premium for their input.

Post by **jimmy57** » 29 Apr 2012, 16:24

The testing for fuel tank vapor leakage is done periodically and it can take a couple of weeks for it to come back on for small leakage if daily highway miles are not put on the car.
That is a code that has no impact on the way the car runs but does annoy you with the warning light and messages.