3 replies to this topic

[jjmif1]

I've got a 1998 S70 non-turbo that runs fine except for an intermittent check engine light. It comes on about once a week with no apparent commonalities except for the fact that it's never come on when the car is cold. Initially I brought it to a non-dealer volvo repair shop and was told that I should not worry and that no codes were stored. Within a week the light came back on. Since then, the light has come on weekly for the past 4 months. I purchased an OBD-II reader but each time it indicates that no-codes have been stored. There is no apparent problem with how the engine runs or the transmission shifts when the CEL is on. I recently smogged it and it barely passed the NO test with 368 ppm [430 allowable]. Of course, the high number may be more attributable to the fact that engine was not fully warmed when it was tested. The only other apparent malady with the car is the occasional ABS light, which comes on about once every 2 months and stays on for a short time. Any ideas?

[Bay13]

For the ABS light I'd suspect the control module needs to be repaired or replaced.

The fantom CEL is anybodys guess.

[jjmif1]

Thanks for the response on the ABS. I'll have to get my control unit checked. Regarding the CEL, I recently found a service bulletin TSB# 2334 "Emissions--OBD II Readiness Codes Update" and TSB#2230059 "Emissions--Reviesed OBD II Readiness Code Resetting." Anyone familiar with these bulletins and could they be the cause of the CEL going on with no codes?

[Bay13]

Those are to tell the technician how to drive the car to force the car to do all the checks it's suppose to do so you have a "Ready" when the emissions guys look, to be sure you didn't have a check engine light on and just erased it prior to pulling in for the emissions. They have nothing to do with a fantom CEL.