v40 2.0 1996 a few issues

lostworldbulliez · Post by **lostworldbulliez** » 03 Jan 2010, 09:59

Volvo noob, i am having a few small issues with the recent new motor. The one i am needing assistance with is the cooling system, i have noticed that the temp gauge can go up to 98c without the electric fan coming on is this the norm, i am lead to believe it should be on before then?? Once i begin to drive the car or switch on the warm heating the temp will drop, it's not using coolant, and there no sludge under the cap. oil in the expansion bottle however there was a little on the dipstick but this has cleared after being cleaned and having an oil top-up and a good run. I need to know what the likely problem is, the location of the temp switch(if faulty), the fan turns free by hand so isn't jammed, i have swapped the fuses(not the problem), the horn also ain't working are they linked somehow on the fuse board/relays???

Thanks in advance

Also on a side note the engine management light comes on periodically would this be linked, the guy said it's because the key is damaged, and it's linked to the immobiliser>>????

Post by **billofdurham** » 03 Jan 2010, 11:49

Welcome to Matthew's Volvo Site.

The engine thermostat shouldn't start to open until the coolant reaches 90C and is wide open at 105C so the fan will come on at a higher temperature. Generally the fans are set to come on in the range of 90c to 112C, depending on the make and model. To test the fan get the car up to normal working temperature, stop with the engine still running, let it idle for a few minutes and see if it does come on. It should kick in when the temp gauge is nearing the hot mark. If it doesn't then the relay is probably not working correctly. It is relay #4 in the engine compartment fuse/relay box. Give it a hard flick with your finger to see if it activates.

Condensation on the dipstick in the temperatures we are experiencing in the UK isn't unusual. If it isn't too much and goes away after a good run there isn't anything to worry about.

The horn isn't connected to the fan in any way. It runs off fuse #4 in the engine fuse/relay box along with the fog lamps and the alarm control light. Check the fuse then the horn itself for broken wires or dirty connections.

The key/immobilizer problem is a new one to me but it is possible. As the engine management light has been activated the system will have stored a fault code. Most garages now can read fault codes for the engine and transmission but I don't think many will be able to read them for the immobilizer. You could go to a Volvo dealer, if you are rich, or try some of the auto-electrics specialists where you live. The majority of these shops have now got the equipment to read all fault codes and will be a lot cheaper than the dealer.

Bill.

lostworldbulliez · Post by **lostworldbulliez** » 06 Jan 2010, 09:16

Horn now working, re the fan, i am dubious to let the temp go any higher than the 98C i let it go to last time and the fan did not kick in, it's a 2.0 v40 petrol, manual trans if someone could tell me when they should come on with that info i would appreciate it. Under general running the car does not overheat, the temp when driving has never gone higher than 87C but the cold weather is helping i would assume. If i run with the heating on(like most days ATM) then the temp never gets much higher than 82C, being that is a digital Temp guage i am also unsure to trust it fully, can someone shed any more light on the situation

Thanks

Roy

Post by **billofdurham** » 06 Jan 2010, 12:39

As the engine thermostat is designed to start opening at 90c and is only fully open at 105C it would appear to me that Volvo designed the engine to run at 105C+. At 98C the engine is well within what you consider to be the safety limits. At 82C, assuming the temp gauge is correct, the engine is running cold and the thermostat won't have started to open. If that is the case you will be using more fuel as the ECU will be compensating for the low temperature. You will also notice that the heater isn't as hot as hot as it should be.

I told you how to check if the fan is working in my first reply. If it doesn't kick in when the temperature gauge is showing hot then the fan, or its relay, is suspect.

Bill.