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odd 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
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SirBrickWagon
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Year and Model: 1997 Volvo 850
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odd engine light

Post by SirBrickWagon »

so i'm faced with an odd situation here. my check engine light is on despite my code reader saying "0 DTC". it shows a medium severity and flashes some small symbols but no defined code. could it be that my exhaust is messed up? there might be a leak before or after the cat, or both. or might this just be that this is another "literally nothing is wrong" scenario?
1997 Volvo 850 Wagon (Non-Turbo) with too many problems to count

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misha
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Post by misha »

Do you have automatic transmission or manual?

If it's auto...there might be a TCM request to ECU to turn on CEL.

TCM codes can't be read with universal code readers....at least VOL-FCR is needed.

If it's manual....there is possibility that ECU have stored a specific DTC which can't be read with universal code reader in Pxxxx format...and again....VOL-FCR is needed.
'97 850 2.5 20v / fully equipped / Motronic 4.4 from the factory / upgraded with S,V,C,XC70 instrument cluster / polar white wagon
History of Volvos in the family:
'71 144 S
'73 144 De Luxe
'78 244 DL
'78 244 DL
'79 244 GLE
'85 340 GLS

SirBrickWagon
Posts: 128
Joined: 26 October 2021
Year and Model: 1997 Volvo 850
Location: Calgary, AB
Has thanked: 7 times
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Post by SirBrickWagon »

misha wrote: 18 May 2022, 13:06 Do you have automatic transmission or manual?

If it's auto...there might be a TCM request to ECU to turn on CEL.

TCM codes can't be read with universal code readers....at least VOL-FCR is needed.

If it's manual....there is possibility that ECU have stored a specific DTC which can't be read with universal code reader in Pxxxx format...and again....VOL-FCR is needed.
it's an auto, could be anything. goes away after a few minutes of driving/idle
1997 Volvo 850 Wagon (Non-Turbo) with too many problems to count

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misha
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Post by misha »

You will need specific volvo scan tool to read specific codes.

Dealership,Vol-Fcr if it is M4.4...or 850 OBDII app.
'97 850 2.5 20v / fully equipped / Motronic 4.4 from the factory / upgraded with S,V,C,XC70 instrument cluster / polar white wagon
History of Volvos in the family:
'71 144 S
'73 144 De Luxe
'78 244 DL
'78 244 DL
'79 244 GLE
'85 340 GLS

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jreed
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Post by jreed »

Agreed with Misha's advice above. It sounds like you need to try a different code reading tool.
1997 855 GLT (Light Pressure Turbo) still going strong. Previous: 1986 240 GL rusted out in '06, 1985 Saab 900T rusted out in '95, 1975 Saab 99 rusted out in '95, 1973 Saab 99 rusted out in '94

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