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V70 Ceck Engine Light[850/1995] posted by Brace on
Thursday, 19 March 1998, at 7:05 p.m.
Our V70 check engine light has come for the 3rd time since 2/12/98. The first time
it was for "vapor canister" - 1 event, and 2nd time (3/11/98) it was for "missfire"
- 1 event. Each time the light has come on the car was at idle for at least 5 minutes.
I have not taken it in for the third time which occurred 3/18/98. The first
two times the light was reset and the mechanic said the errors were "hiccups'
and they didn't mean anything. He also recommended just continuing to drive the car
the next time the light comes on unless it was obviously not running right.
My questions are:
- Does anyone else with a V(S)70 have this problem?
- Is it ok to continue driving with light on?
- Is the system overly sensitive, if so, can volvo corrrect it?
- Who at volvo north america can I contact to get more info?
Thanks in advance
Re: V70 Ceck Engine Light[850/1995] posted by Han Chung on
Friday, 20 March 1998, at 12:36 a.m.
Brace,
I also have the check engine light on and will take to dealer next week. I hope it's not the missfire thing. If you don't hear anything strange from the engine or it doesn't behave normally, I'd say would be O.K. to drive for a while but definately take it to fix or check when you can. About the other questions, I don't have answers to. I'll let you know what happens at the dealer next week.
Han
97 855 T white... plus some goodies.
Re: V70 Ceck Engine Light[850/1995] posted by Paul Elliott on
Friday, 20 March 1998, at 12:49 p.m.
For my '95 854T, I've purchased from Volvo a complete (almost) set of service books. I found that there is an ignition book which has a complete explanation of how the fault code system works for the Motronic 4.3, and decodes the values for you. There must be a similar book for your Motronic 4.4 (turbo?). This might be more valuable for me than for you because in my model year, you could easily get the actual fault code value from an LED in an under hood Data link connector, and then decode the flashing lights to find out what's wrong...I would guess that for your model year, a scan tool plugged into the OBDII port might be the only answer, but I'm not that familiar with this part of the 70s.
Re: V70 Ceck Engine Light[850/1995] posted by Rick on
Friday, 20 March 1998, at 9:36 p.m.
The 70 series has no data link under the hood all code retrival is done with a scan tool. You could buy the book but with out knowing the code it would not help a lot.
The orig. code you said was for "vapor canister" this was probably one of two codes for a leak in the fuel evaportative system. the government OBD II regulations require the system to check for leaks. These codes can be set by loose gas caps or by aftermarket gas caps. The technician was most likely correct that this was a "hiccup" (or a loose cap)
The missfire codes can be set if you run low on fuel, and the engine get fuel starved for a moment. Were you low on fuel just before the light came on?
If you have concerns that you would like to talk to Volvo about call their consumer affairs department, that is what they are there for.
Re: V70 Ceck Engine Light[850/1995] posted by Mark Klein on
Saturday, 21 March 1998, at 10:58 p.m.
You could callVolvo, but I thnk it's a little premature for that.
The evaporative system code may be a "hiccup" but the misfire code could be (and usually is) a little more serious and can be difficult to find. Basically, it comes down to replacing parts and trying it. They have some updated spark plugs for the misfire codes. If the code comes back, I normally replace the plug wires. This has fixed a couple of cars.
Concerning the evap code. The subscreen for that code will list whether it was a large leak or a small leak. If it was gas cap related, it would be listed as a large leak. If it was a small leak, there may still be a problem. The system checks itself automatically but it may be a while before a complete "cycle" is gone through and the system can finish its test. If it comes back, just take it back to the dealer, try to get a loaner car and tell them to call you when they have it fixed......for good. Give them permission to drive the car overnight. In fact, I would encourage this to give them ample time to verify the repair.
Re: V70 Ceck Engine Light[850/1995] posted by Rick Ewald on
Sunday, 22 March 1998, at 6:59 p.m.
Actually Mark there are two evap codes 611 is large leak, and 612 is small leak.
Either can be set by a gas cap depending how loose it is. Real loose 611, almost tight enough 612.
As far as the missfire codes yeas you are right but then again so was I. misfire can be set by many things including running low on fuel.
Bottom line is there was not enough information in the orig. post to go very far with a diagnosis.
The point I was trying to make is that both of these occurences could have been the results of driver habits.
Re: V70 Ceck Engine Light[850/1995] posted by Mark Klein on
Monday, 23 March 1998, at 9:37 p.m.
Like you said we're both right but I've seen way too many techs reset the light and run the car out the door and blame it on the gas cap. Certainly this can happen (and did to me today as a matter of fact. The cap almost fell off in my hand when I checked it) but it seems this is an easy scapegoat much too much. I will run the evap diagnostics to at least see if the car will pass this. It can be a time consuming operation to test the evap system if it doesn't pass self diagnostics. It doesn't pay too well.
By the way, if you look at my original post, I said there were two different evap codes (one for large and one for small leak).
Re: V70 Ceck Engine Light[850/1995] posted by Paul Elliott on
Monday, 23 March 1998, at 8:39 a.m.
you mention spark plugs....you dont think that the use of Bosch FR7DC Super (copper) plugs in an 854T should cause a fault code, do you?
Re: V70 Ceck Engine Light[850/1995] posted by Mark Klein on
Monday, 23 March 1998, at 9:39 p.m.
I don't know. The cars which come in with a misfire code are supposed to get the special plugs specifically for this.
According to Volvo, this fixes some of the cars. Personally (and who the hell am I) the jury is still out.
Re: V70 Ceck Engine Light[850/1995] posted by Brace on
Monday, 23 March 1998, at 6:33 a.m.
I will be taking the car to the dealership today to have this checked out. My concern now is that two days after the CEL light came on this last time, it went off by itself. Is this possible, or did the indicator bulb just burn out? Car appears to be running fine.
When the vapor canister event occurred I checked the gas cap and it appeared to be tight. Also, this being my wife's car, and her being a fanatic about never letting the tank get below 1/4, it's doubtful that low gas caused the missfire error. Then again, maybe she finally slipped up for once. Tech seemed to think missfire may have been caused by the coil wire arcing to one of the nearby cables, but later I looked at the cable he was refering to and it appeared to be a plastic vacuum line.
Anyway, thanks for the input from all. I'll let you know what the dealership comes up with.