2001 S40 Check Engine Light

[raymond]

My 2001 S40 with 60K miles had a check engine code for bad front Oxygen sensor. After changing the front sensor, the light did not clear. The shop discussed this and was advised to install a new mass air flow sensor. The check engine light is back. So, it's about 500 dollars later, and I'll still fail my emission test due in a month.

I'm trying to find out how many updates have been made to the computer software. This car was recalled when nearly new, say in 2002. The software was supposed to be updated.

Can the VADIS read a lot more than the OBD tool my normal garage has? My normal garage guys are saying it's dealer time. Of the Washington, DC area dealers, who's got the best service team? I can use any of them. The one nearest me is not particularly good to work with. All problems are very mysterious to my service advisor.

[MrWinkey]

Do you know what codes they retrieved? Wonder if it's a 1171 code and that is why they replaced the AMM as well. Perhaps it just has a vacuum leak? Really hard to say without the codes.

[raymond]

Code found was P0133B. MD MVA also read that same code. their emissions stations will read the codes at owner's request. I knew anything like an O2 sensor was possibly costly.

My Alldata subscription says it's Front Oxygen Sensor. I assume it's the permanent fault, as there are two P0133 lines listed, one is intermittent and the other is permanent.

The shop discussed this and was advised to replace the Mass Air FLow.

The Alldata discussion does say that there could be air leaks. SO, I need to find someone who's able to look at those possible causes and also the possible computer re-programming.

I'm calling Volvo USA on Monday to ask what computer update is current. I may be on a down level version.

[swmdal]

As far as DC area Volvo mechanics, I have experience with two:

1) Don Beyer in Alexandria, which seems to do very good work and even offers "house calls" for minor problems (which yours doesn't seem to be.) They will be more expensive than an independent. They also tend to "lose" service appointments if your particular advisor is off on the day of your appointment, so ask about that first.

2) Import Auto Service on Fullerton Road in Springfield (www.volvospecialist.com), an independent shop which I've used several times for work on both my Volvo and my BMW 318i. It's a ratty looking operation, but they've always done satisfactory work for me, and at a lower price than Beyer. Don't be put off by having to drive through a bunch of wrecked cars at the adjacent auto body shop to get to them.

Something else you might want to consider is to go to Advance Auto Parts and spend about $150 on your own OBD II code reader. You plug it into a jack under the right side of the drivers' side footwell, and it will read all the error codes in the computer (which you can write down), and then it will let you erase them, which generally cuts off the check engine light, at least temporarily. Recently, when my 2000 V40 check engine light came on, I bought a reader and used it. I was getting a code having something to do with "catalyst outside of minimums", which can mean a bad catalytic converter, among other things. Considering that I had just passed VA emissions with extremely low numbers, I didn't believe it, so I erased the codes and the light went off. It's been a couple of weeks now and the light hasn't come back on. Now if I can just figure out how to turn off the "Service" light after an oil change... Having your own code reader makes you look like you know what you're talking about when you describe your problem to a mechanic, which just might save you some unnecessary repairs.

[S40Monster]

Now if I can just figure out how to turn off the "Service" light after an oil change...

Works for PHII's, hopefully it'll help with your PHI.

Service light reset:

1. Turn the ignition key to the #1 position (accessory),

2. Push in the odometer reset button and hold it there,

3. Turn the ignition switch to the #2 position (on/run),

4. Hold the odometer reset button in until the service light starts flashing, then release the button.

[TheDiva]

Works for PHII's, hopefully it'll help with your PHI.

Service light reset:

1. Turn the ignition key to the #1 position (accessory),

2. Push in the odometer reset button and hold it there,

3. Turn the ignition switch to the #2 position (on/run),

4. Hold the odometer reset button in until the service light starts flashing, then release the button.

Funny you should mention this, I've been doing that that whole morning trying to clear my service light. Turns out it won't work on a '98, has to be cleared via the OBD port But afaik it works on '99 & up.

[s40euro]

Did they cler the fault code ?

Because most of the time after repair or change process it is forgatten to clear the DTC`s and the fault still remain this couses the CEL on.

[raymond]

Did they cler the fault code ?

Because most of the time after repair or change process it is forgatten to clear the DTC`s and the fault still remain this couses the CEL on.

The CEL light came on shortly after I drove away. The garage guy test drove for over 40 miles after making the repairs. (They always do a road test after making repairs.)

He re-set the codes and advised that I probably needed to have a computer update. His observation is that there are more proprietary codes which can only be read by the Volvo computer VADIS. I'm trying to run that down.

I called Volvo USA today, and reported my VIN. They advised that my car is up to date on all recalls. So, I'll need to find that knowledgeable person who's got the tools/computers needed to debug.

I'll update this later.

[Bay13]

With the S40, there was an ECU update. By connecting to the VADIS (Now VIDA) cart, you can determine if you have the latest software.

The O2 sensor codes on the S40 have a progressive repair procedure. Don't know any other way to say it. It goes like this, first Front O2 sensor code is handled by ensuring you have the wiring adapter installed on the front O2 sensor. Should the code return, you replace the front sensor. Should the code return you replace the rear sensor.

Each time the adaptives should be reset, and that can only be done with the VIDA computer.

I'm not sure where you are in the repair cycle. I'd ensure you have the wiring recall/campain and have the adaptives reset, and see what happens.