Dozens of (erroneous?) error codes

[Ferko]

I just brought my '02 V70 XC with 117k miles into my local garage after the Check Engine Light appeared. When they hooked-up the code reader, the result blew them away! Something like 2 dozen Error Codes were displayed – they had never seen so many. When I asked for a print-out of them, the mechanic said he could not provide me with one, but that the first Error concerned a problem with the Turbo.

They cleared all the codes, took it for a test drive...and, like me, couldn't detect any problems whatsoever, then basically wished me "Good Luck!" Before I left, however, since the vehicle was operating nominally, I initiated a brief discussion regarding whether or not the only, actual problem was that all those Error Codes themselves had been erroneously-generated. Again, they had no idea.

This sound familiar to anyone?

Thanks!

[RickHaleParker]

I seen it before. A lot, if not all, of them are from hiccups and repairs long gone. If you had gotten the list, you would be chasing ghosts. If any of it was real, the real ones will come back.

[Rattnalle]

What code reader did they use?

In VIDA you can tell the difference between active and inactive codes. That is codes that are relevant here and now and codes that have been set at some point in the past. You can also tell how long ago they were set and under what conditions (speed and time IIRC).

In some third party readers you won't be able to tell the difference.

When I hooked my car up to VIDA the first time I had a whole bunch of different inactive codes. Cleared everything and it's been pretty empty since apart from a few minor ones that I ignore (door lock signal too high for example).

[abscate]

Very common - the drive cycle on these cars is complicated so codes will sometimes take forever to clear.

If you have more than about 3-4 codes, it usually is informative to clear them and see what comes first, too, for diagnostic purposes.

[Rattnalle]

Very common - the drive cycle on these cars is complicated so codes will sometimes take forever to clear.

Most codes don't clear at all, they just go inactive.

[Ferko]

Much thanks for everyone's extremely helpful, reassuring and informative replies! I'm going to go over them with my mechanic. You guys Rock!

[93SCMax]

Frankly, if I had a mechanic who could (would?) not share a print-out of the codes with me, I'd look for another mechanic...just my opinion.

Nice of them to clear the codes for you. Now you wait to see if any return.

[Ferko]

I agree – I was surprised & disappointed that I couldn't get a copy of all the many codes my mechanic found. He showed them to me briefly on his screen, but he didn't have a way to print them out. I'm going to call him and see if my analysis is somehow still stored in the code reader memory and maybe go back there and at least get a photo or two off the screen. I really appreciate your input!

[Ferko]

Update: Turns-out, it wasn't apparently all that hard to get a list of all those error codes from my mechanic. (Sorry – I didn't get the brand of reader they used). Anyway, I'm looking at them now and there are...thirty-eight! I thought that, before I Copy & Paste them in here I'd check and see whether anybody would still like to see them?

Also – I drove for about 1/2 hour today. No codes re-appeared – however, I did detect a noticeable odor of smoke – nothing visible – upon my return, (possibly emanating from the Left rear?). That can't be good...

Thanks, always!

[93SCMax]

I'd recommend against sharing the 38 error codes.

Wait until one (or more) pop up and then share. I'm confident there are skilled folks on the forum that will help then. No use chasing old failure codes.