1998 S70 5-speed, intermittent red light under check engine light...

Post by **theWIFES_S70** » 28 Nov 2015, 13:02

So, I just changed the timing belt on my wife's S70, the car idles great, engine sounds fine. (In addition to the "all Gabriel ride," the car feels great!)

But today, as I was taking it on a longish drive to Long Island something happened... (I only drove it for 15 miles on the highway yesterday after finishing up the front end.) As I got off the highway, I saw a weird red light flash on the dash for a few seconds, it appeared where the "check engine" light appears?, it flashed two or three times before I got to my destination. (Is this a figment of my imagination?) I also heard what I imagine was a little rattle. I saw that my coolant looked a little low so I added some and drove 35 miles back home. The check engine flashed on (a P0455 light so I reset it...). The temperature gauge is right in the middle where its supposed to be. All in all, put about 65 miles after the timing belt and water pump swap.

I really want to know how serious that light is. Also, does it sound like I messed up the water pump? Say it ain't so Hepu!!!!! (I don't see any coolant spray under the car...) I know I need s new radiator cap as there always seems to be a little coolant around the cap. Also, I imagine the rattle could be part of the lower timing belt cover that I thought was more stable... Sigh.

Fyi:
I run 10-30 high mileage Mobil 1, Mann oil/air filter, Pentosin NF, tune up and PCV were done when we got the car. Always BP super gasoline. We have burned very, very little oil in the past four months we've had it. Thanks for reading, fellas.

Post by **abscate** » 28 Nov 2015, 13:24

So which light flashed on? The CEL is yellow, isn't it?

Post by **theWIFES_S70** » 28 Nov 2015, 13:29

Yes, that's exactly what I was thinking! The "check engine" light is yellow! But what I saw there was red and on the same spot...

Post by **kahl** » 28 Nov 2015, 13:35

Could be the coolant level light. When they get low the float can bounce around giving a flicker to the dash light.

Post by **theWIFES_S70** » 28 Nov 2015, 13:59

Maybe that's what I saw... Ok, will keep an eye out for that (and all) lights... Thanks for the responses guys. (Silly me, I figured there was an emergency red light under the yellow "check engine" light reserved for potential catastrophic timing belt/water pump failures...)

Post by **scot850** » 28 Nov 2015, 17:04

Worth checking the connections to the bottom of the cooling system header tank are tight and that the level sensor and it's connection is good under the tank. Could be the sensor is loose or it's connector.

Neil.

crlande · Post by **crlande** » 28 Nov 2015, 18:10

http://new.volvocars.com/ownersdocs/199 ... 70_019.htm

The check engine light is on the bottom row of warning lights in dash.

You can get full owner's manual from Volvocars.com for vehicles that do not have the original.
http://www.volvocars.com/us/top/yourvol ... es/om.aspx

Post by **rspi** » 29 Nov 2015, 12:07

Post by **theWIFES_S70** » 29 Nov 2015, 15:34

It has to have been the low coolant light that was tripped. Thanks, guys! Will keep an eye on this. (Really hope I'm not losing any coolant by the water pump...)

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 29 Nov 2015, 16:03

You haven't mentioned it, but did you change the pump when you did the TB?

If so, you may just be experiencing the cooling system "settling" and purging
air pockets throughout the system. Top it up as needed and keep an eye on it.
Unless you go through a large amount of coolant doing this, you're probably fine.