1999 V70 wagon Need user manual

rosawoodsii · Post by **rosawoodsii** » 15 Dec 2014, 20:27

My son just acquired and gave me a 1999 Volvo V70 wagon. I downloaded a user manual, but it references up to 84 pages, and the PDF has only 61. Anyone know where I can get a complete downloadable user manual so I know what the dash is trying to tell me? Right now I have a fan light on and another one lit today that's not on now, an icon of a car skidding.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 15 Dec 2014, 22:35

They used to be available through the Volvo website but on the '99 they were in a HTML form that really couldn't be downloaded. I went to the site to get you the exact link and the site has been changed and I can no longer find manuals for the older cars. There are mobile app owners manuals on the site but I don't know that they go back to the older models.

Based on your description of the icons on the instrument cluster you are low on anti-freeze coolant (the fan icon) and an ABS / TRACS problem (the skidding car in the triangle icon). The ABS / TRACS problem is very common and it is typically due to bad solder joints in the ABS module. New modules are stupid expensive but they can be repaired. If you are good at soldering you can do it yourself or you can send it out to a re-builder where it can be repaired for under $100.00.

One of our members does a great job rebuilding the modules, this is his website with details:

https://www.midwest-abs.com/ABS_Modules.php

...Lee

Post by **gmh** » 15 Dec 2014, 23:05

Here's the manual:

http://new.volvocars.com/ownersdocs/199 ... 70_000.htm

Post by **abscate** » 16 Dec 2014, 03:50

Welcome Rosa!

That coolant level light ends to be addressed right away...before you drive the car again. These engines do not like low coolant levels and protest by giving you a 2000 USd repair bill.

You can check the reservoir on the right hand (passenger side) ...opaque yellow plastic container with a green it blue cap. Look for liquid between the min and max lines, on the side.

The ABS light can wait for a week ...month .... year, if you drive sensibly.

rosawoodsii · Post by **rosawoodsii** » 17 Dec 2014, 12:20

Thanks for the replies and the links. It's nice to have a manual, even it it's HTML.

I talked to my son about the coolant light. He said he checked it and it's full. However, the inside of the windshield gets very foggy very quickly and won't clear even with the fan and heater on. He's thinking it may be a heater core problem, that perhaps there's a hole in it and it's detecting that. Does that sound reasonable? If not, what else could it be?

Post by **abscate** » 17 Dec 2014, 14:56

Thats a classic heater core problem. You might have a gallon of coolant under the carpet in the front and back floor of the car. Watch that coolant level closely. It is probably only a pinhole leak or a seeping boring in the heater core right now.

bill d cat · Post by **bill d cat** » 17 Dec 2014, 16:35

Fleabay. The old car owner's friend.

There is a hard-copy '99 owner's manual for sale right now for $7.99 (free shipping). There is an entire '99 SV70 "wallet" that looks pretty decent for $31, also free shipping.

Post by **cn90** » 17 Dec 2014, 19:34

For heater core, search for:

- The famour $39.99 ebay heater core. Very good price for a quality product. Wash it in the dish washer before installation.

- Also look for erikv11's photos on cutting the pipes and run heater hose through the firewall, eliminating the coupler altogether. There is a recent thread on re-using the metal elbows:
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=67217

rosawoodsii · Post by **rosawoodsii** » 19 Dec 2014, 16:39

Hmm. I don't know why I'm not getting email notification of replies, not even in my spamcatcher.

Anyway, bill d'cat, I ordered the user manual and should have it Tuesday.

cn90, I found an APDI heater core on partsgeek.com (and a couple other more expensive ones) and an OEM heater core for 39.90 on Ebay. Curious--why wash it in the dishwasher? Or is that tongue in cheek?

I also followed the link for the pictures, and Firefox wouldn't show any, just the word "image". I just love their "security features". It does show photos with Opera, though. Very helpful.

Now the final question (for today). Can the car be driven to somewhere it can be repaired or should I have it towed to be on the safe side--the place my son will repair it is about 35 miles away.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 19 Dec 2014, 18:00

The dishwasher trick is actually real. The cheap ebay heater cores, which are otherwise great, are coated with an oil that stinks really bad for a month or so unless it gets washed. If you happen to buy one and dishwasher it turn off the heated dry for that cycle.

As far as driving it goes - there is risk and the engines are kinda quick to blow a head gasket if it overheats. If this is an All Wheel Drive car then it must be towed on a flatbed tow truck or it will kill the AWD system.

...Lee