1998 xc-70 retrofit coolant high temp light

Post by **Clockboy** » 30 Oct 2015, 08:22

So every time my wife takes the car I have that nagging thought. What if there is a problem with the cooling system and she does not notice the rising temp gauge? Is there a way to retrofit a high temp warning light that would illuminate when the temp rises beyond a certain degree? I always have one eye on the gauges, but I'm paranoid. Given the volvo's lack of tolerance for overheating it would seem it should have been designed into the system.

Post by **tryingbe** » 30 Oct 2015, 09:18

http://www.a1racing.com/Longacre_40150. ... fgodm0MM7A

Something like this?

You need to label it, PULL OVER NOW light.

I went the other way. I like analog gauges.

Sommerfeldt · Post by **Sommerfeldt** » 30 Oct 2015, 09:24

There are certainly things like UltraGauge, which plugs into your OBDII port and can give warnings for just about anything.

http://ultra-gauge.com/ultragauge/ultragauge_wired.htm

- S

Post by **Clockboy** » 30 Oct 2015, 10:03

The light is exactly what I had in mind. The ultragauge alarm feature is perfect, but the location of the obd2 port means it would not be plugged in very long- eliminates cup holders and my wife can not drive to the supermarket without water or coffee in the car. If I could change the location of the port and have the alarm feature that would be the best. A nice loud alarm that scares her or my son into blind obedience. Thanks so much. The light will at least give an early warning sign and I can avoid the call from the parking lot that smoke is coming from under the hood.

Sommerfeldt · Post by **Sommerfeldt** » 30 Oct 2015, 13:36

Moving the OBDII-connector is far from rocket science.

And I'd venture a guess that it's less work than rigging up that light.

- S

Post by **Clockboy** » 30 Oct 2015, 14:13

I think so too. And I like the idea of the alarm going off. I used to drive the car and never think about what could possibly go wrong. A little knowledge makes jack a nervous boy.

Post by **cn90** » 30 Oct 2015, 15:08

It is ironic that in most vehicles out there, the fuel gauge has a yellow/red dot to warn driver of low fuel condition, which could be dangerous (stalling and stuck in snow storm etc.).

Yet the engine temp gauge does not have the light flashing or red light to warn driver. Perhaps, the car mfgs want the engine to blow up so they can sell more cars lol...

Best is to tell your significant other to watch the gauge on and off.

Post by **Clockboy** » 31 Oct 2015, 06:20

The problem is most likely nothing will happen, but it has happened once in the 12 years we've owned the car so could happen again. Unlikely, but possible. Watching a gauge that never moves will soon make it invisible again so a simple idiot light or alarm seems like a natural fix. The fact that there are red lights for charging or oil pressure and none for the coolant temp is curious. Did they think the system was just bullet proof forever or is it planned obsolescence? Natural supply for the pick and pulls.

Post by **erikv11** » 31 Oct 2015, 08:46

Yes it is a well known problem that for some drivers watching the gauge with anywhere near enough diligence is simply not going to happen.

If you install the idiot light I would be curious to see how you do it. Also FYI, on this forum there are posts describing installations of ultra-gauge or other OBD tools, where the wiring is routed so that nothing sticks out of or disturbs the center console lid.

Post by **Clockboy** » 02 Nov 2015, 08:58

Did some poking around while no customers came in on sat. Here are some of my thoughts and would love some feedback from those more knowledgeable.

1. The ultragauge idea tied into the obd2 port. This would mean splitting the port and re-positioning one so the wire to the ultragauge was as hidden as possible. It would also mean putting the gauge somewhere, but you do get cool info.
2. Buying a ready made temp sensor and alarm unit such as http://enginewatchdog.com/tm2.html. Easy installation, but seems sort of large and ugly. Might be good on a truck in australia, but placing it in an unobtrusive spot in the car seems difficult. Maybe in the glove box. The temp sensor bolts right to the engine and seems really easy to install. It's pricey, but almost immediate and requires no particularly difficult wiring skills.
3. Fitting a temp sensor lcd and alarm. There was a diy where someone did it to there mercedes using the aux fan switch to activate a blinking light. http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/die ... m-diy.html
They fitted the led right into the instrument cluster at the top end of the coolant temp needle and had an alarm also. All parts bought via radio shack or similar. Looked great and is exactly what I would want, but it seems I might be lacking in the needed skills. Not even sure where to tap into to get it to activate at the right temp.
4. Longacre temp gauge - I've seen a couple of ways to tap into the coolant lines. Either splitting one of the already made ports or cutting into the upper coolant line and putting in a t that has the necessary port. My concern with this is what if the thermostat fails closed like mine did? I think the best way is right into the engine.
5. Combo - longacre temp gauge with better light/alarm. Use the temp sensor from the longacre or similar and the lcd/alarm from the diy. Again beyond me now, but seems like a fun project to take on.

My wife has no idea why I would want such a thing, but she does not even remember overheating at the supermarket. I'm trying to avoid that call again.

If the diy was simple enough and looked good it could save a bunch of cars.