my 1990 --150k mile VOLVO check engine lite recently decided to come-on / lite-up, i read thru bentley --engine/emission control section wasn't much help! figgered i'd dis-connect the battery for fifteen minutes--SUCCESS! the lite went out!took about a week the check engine lite came-on, no significant event in the performance before or as the lite came-on. tried the dis-connect routine again, check engine lite went out , again. after a week the check engine lite again came-on, no significant event this time, either! i realize a 'hard code' will set the check engine lite
SO I'M TURNING IT OVER TO "BRICKBOARD" !!!!!

WHERE DO I START LOOKING?????? anyone willing to let me in on the secret????

Check the FAQ for how to read and properly reset the light. Its kinda cool to be able to do this in your own driveway. Those with "fancier" computers have to pull the plug or drive to a dealer and plunk down the doh! (pun intended)

That light can be nothing or something you really need to address. Check it and bring the question back here. My experience with the board is that people respond in greater detail if you do your homework first. I.e. read the FAQ.

The Diagnostic Trouble Code is what you're looking for. Easy as pie to get the code and read it. You may need to research what engine/Fuel injection sys you have to determine the code, but folks should be able to help if you ask.

Good Luck

-

Pete

THANX---BRICK-O-CHEESE! had i NOT used my 'domestic american' automobile
logic i would have read more than the emission control section of the bentley-bible-----YES section 241-7 of the bentley-bible defines the fault codes
#1-1-1 thru #4-1-1 which i'll get to know intimately very soon
THANKS BRICK BOARD AND THANX BRICK O CHEESE from RED RYDER

No problem. As much as I "take" from this board, it's nice when I actually know what to do for a change. :)

Let us know what you find if it's interesting!

BTW, My 240 has been throwing 1-1-3 (fuel lean/rich compensation error). I believe its something to do with the cold. Somehow too much air is getting in, likely a vacuume leak caused by shrunken hoses. My brick does not like the cold, it grew up in Florida. So, when its cold...shrinkage. I just reset and forget...well at least until I and the car warm up.

Again, Good luck!

--

Pete
1993/244/152k

Check your fluid levels.... Especially yer coolant. This is why. I just purchased my second Volvo. A 1990 240. My other is a 1989. I got the 90 for $1000. It is "perfect" except that the person who owned it thought someting was wrong with it, because it over heated , heater stopped working, and the check engine light came on and the temp gauge was pegged in the red. Funny enough, my original 240 did the same thing within the very same week (this week) both cars had the same problem... NO COOLENT.
(I am a dope!) I am usually religious about checking fluid. But when its 2 below outside I kinda just want to jump in and go to work..

My problem is this..
I pulled the 25 amp fuse under the hood, to reset the check engine light. I have done this before with success, However this time, The car wont start again.

Whats up with that???????