1998 S70 T5 manual - Heating system lights blinking

Linanas · Post by **Linanas** » 01 Aug 2008, 20:30

Not sure if this is a common problem, but the lights on the switches on the heating system blink for 20 sec. when I start my car.
I know it's a malfunction problem, but I don't know if it is major fix.

The A/C and heater works fine.

Does anybody know what is wrong and/or what needs to be fixed?
Could I use my OBDII to check for a code?

I just recently got a major tune-up too.

Any feedback or advice will be helful.

THANKS EVERYONE!

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 01 Aug 2008, 21:03

Yes, it does mean that your ECC (electronic climate control) has a problem...could be the fan...could be the power pack that is under the glove box next to the fan that controls it, or something else. Is everything working right otherwise? Unfortunately on our '98 model Volvo's an OBD-II scan tool won't tell you what's wrong although the dealer's scan tool will. Please post back as to what else might be going on with your ECC and we might be able to trouble shoot it without you having to go to the dealer.

JFO · Post by **JFO** » 01 Aug 2008, 21:28

I had the flashing lights, but also accompanied by a problem with the blower motor, so I had the dealer check it. Based on the codes they pulled, they said it could be the power pack, motor, or temp sensor..not conclusive. I ended up changing all three myself ..not difficult. If your blower, etc, seems to function OK, try blowing the temp sensor with canned air...they can get dirty or plugged. It's behind the small grill next to your rear defroster switch.

Jim

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 02 Aug 2008, 05:07

I happen to have a spare power pack and blower motor for an S70. I was saving these for when mine goes (they will once in the life span of an S70). If you determine that one or both of these is your problem and they need replacing, I'll be glad to make a deal with you. In the meantime, blow out the little temp. sensor (slotted-rectangular) opening on your dash that is located just left of the ECC control panel and see if this makes a difference.

Post by **JRL** » 02 Aug 2008, 10:30

I have the same issue in one of mine but a bit weird.
Every so often, (maybe once every 2 -3 weeks the system is just dead.
No lights blinking just dead.
Anyhow when it was in the other day for a very minor thing we pulled the stored codes and it is the resistor above the blower motor.
Right now it does it so seldom that I'm not worried about it for the time being, but in the fall I guess I'll install a new blower fan and the resistor. The labor is the same for either/or or both so it's sort of pennywise and pound foolish not to replace both parts while we're in there

Linanas · Post by **Linanas** » 02 Aug 2008, 19:58

Thanks for the replies fellas.

Everything is working fine...nothing else wrong. Just the blinking lights, but not sure if anything will go out anytime soon.

The a/c blows nice and cold, while the heater blows nice and hot as well.

MIJ, how can I check to see what is wrong myself? Not sure what you mean my blowing out the temp sensor.

Linanas · Post by **Linanas** » 02 Aug 2008, 20:06

JRL wrote:I have the same issue in one of mine but a bit weird.
Every so often, (maybe once every 2 -3 weeks the system is just dead.
No lights blinking just dead.
Anyhow when it was in the other day for a very minor thing we pulled the stored codes and it is the resistor above the blower motor.
Right now it does it so seldom that I'm not worried about it for the time being, but in the fall I guess I'll install a new blower fan and the resistor. The labor is the same for either/or or both so it's sort of pennywise and pound foolish not to replace both parts while we're in there

My '95 850 use to do that, but my heater and A/C are completely dead. I'm not even going to bother to fix it. I have 200K(+) miles on.

So I'm hoping my S70 won't have the same problem.

How much does it cost to get that fixed anyways?

Linanas · Post by **Linanas** » 02 Aug 2008, 20:08

Oh... and the S70 has about 128K miles on it... not sure if anything is suppose to break when it hits that many miles.

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 02 Aug 2008, 22:56

Linanas wrote:Not sure what you mean my blowing out the temp sensor.

A shot of compressed air (those little duster cans, ya know?),
will blow accumulated gunk off of the temp sensor in the dash.

It's apparently a common maintenance item with the ECC system.
Mine needs a blast about once a year, then the blinkies are gone!

As stated, it's the tiny grill to the right of the switch cluster near
the ignition key switch.

Post by **JRL** » 03 Aug 2008, 06:17

Linanas wrote:Thanks for the replies fellas.

? Not sure what you mean my blowing out the temp sensor.

Just to the left of the stereo and to the far right of all the dash switches is a louvered blank in the right opening, take some compressed air and blow it out, the temp sensor is behind it and if dirty can cause this