Hello out there.

I have a 1999 Volvo S-80 T-6. I am also a woman and although I'm married and my hubby has regular service done on my car, could anyone out there tell me why my check engine light is always on. The service tech said the code shows oxygen sensor, but is that something that I can order elsewhere and still have it be a volvo part and is it easy to install. They want $350 for parts and labor and I'm selling the vehicle in two weeks.

Check engine light *usually* comes on when there's an issue in the fuel / emissions system. Though the system can certainly detect other faults, it's likely to report them as a message - the CE light is connected to federal clean air regulations.

So an oxygen sensor fault is a likely cause for the light to come on. But who knows if he's reading the codes properly? They don't just come out and say "O2 SYS ERR" or something. They say stuff like 02-11-23-03. It might be good to get a second opinion.

There is a lawuit against Volvo to replace this system due to the failing.Please contact the Volvo service department.They are suppose to replace for for.I have a 2000 S80 and I had mine replace for free in March of this year.

Get to an Autozone or Pepboys and have the code cleared. If it comes back on within 24 hours, go back to Pepboys and get a new O2 sensor.

Klaus
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(1975 164, 1995 854T, 1998 V70R)

It does come back on all of the time. How much will an O2 sensor cost, do you know? Labor? Also, today the blinkers stopped working, but there are no lights flashing to indicate what happened.

When it rains, it pours. A new O2 sensor at the dealer will cost you about $350, their labor charges are too high. It doesn't HAVE to be a Volvo sensor, any good generic will do. Call some other shops in your neighborhood.
The blinkers stopped? Does the emergency flasher still work? Find the fuse and if it is not burned out, then clean the bottom of the fuse and try it again. The flasher relay will be suspect if the emergency flasher also doesn't work. $40 from a dealer.

Klaus
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(1975 164, 1995 854T, 1998 V70R)

Well, initially the left blinker was stuck blinking. I turned the car off for a few minutes, then back on and now no lights go on. To further complicate things, last night, I turned the car on and the lights front and back and brake lights work, but when you turn the knob to turn all of the lights on, they don't work, meaning the high beams, etc. My display panel lights up fine, but this morning I drove to work at 6am in the dark and noticed that my cruise control button and volume buttons on the steering wheel don't work, which means I have to manually use the volume and changer.

That isn't the problem, I am selling it within 10 days to a buyer who already paid me and have to take it to the dealer next Tuesday to see what is wrong with it. I don't want to get hit with hundreds of dollars in repairs if it can be done cheaper.

The check engine light is currently off again. My husband pulled the fuse and put it back in and it's off for now.

Can you help?

Wow! What fun!
Lori-Ann, the O2 sensor may be caused by a dirty throttle body or a corroded electrical connection close by, or both. Have hubby clean all the connectors he can find with an old toothbrush and brake cleaner, then coat the prongs with di-electric grease.
The lights and steering wheel buttons are strange. I suspect a relay for the turn signals and the headlight switch. The volume and CC buttons are puzzles that could be related if the contacts behind the wheel are failing. The dealer will be able to diagnose this easier than I can. Remember, just because he finds a problem, doesn't mean he has to fix it. Any reputable shop will stand by their work and guarantee it for a year, regardless of ownership.
I don't have an S80, and never will, because of all of the problems this model has. I expect you aren't going to buy another one either.

Klaus
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(1975 164, 1995 854T, 1998 V70R)

Thank you so much.

I will give the information to my husband and see what he comes up with.

I do need to mention that about 3 months ago and on the highway at appx. 70 mph, I drove over a 30 ft, steel ladder, which must have fallen out of someone's truck. Needless to say, a large piece of the orange plastic siding on the ladder clipped onto the underside of my car causing the large plastic cover, which I'll assume keeps all of the wires underneath the car clean, to be hanging on barely.

When I took it in for service, they noted that a very large piece of it had been torn off and just decided to do away with it. Would the exposed wires, etc., underneath the vehicle have anything to do with something coming loose, etc?

Just wondering. Who drives over a ladder, right? Honestly, by the time you came up on it, there was nothing you could have done unless you went left into the guard rail.

Lori-Ann

Did you get to keep the ladder? Those things are expensive. Either you or the new owner will need to get a new splash pan. The plastic pan helps direct air and also keeps water from splashing up onto the serpentine belt and alternator.

Klaus
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(1975 164, 1995 854T, 1998 V70R)

The plastic "belly cover" is for aerodynamics. Any wire protection is minimal.
While the ladder incident could potentially be associated with an Oxygen sensor failure, a 3 month delay seems to rule that out.

I suspect your new electrical "gremlins" are a consequence of your husband pulling fuses to (temporarily at best) turn off the check-engine light. Have him try removing for a few minutes, then replacing, the fuses for the steering wheel module and headlight switch module (one at a time).