Check Engine Light Won't Turn Off

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Caramel
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Check Engine Light Won't Turn Off

Post by Caramel »

Okay here's the dealio.

1999
Volvo S70
136,000 km's/miles? don't even know.
Heater Core replaced ~last January

Check engine light is on, but there are no other symptoms.
The engine was flooded w/ gasoline and a tow truck guy came and started her up for us. But my dad told em to take it to the dealership to check it. They didn't end up checking it, because they didn't have time.
We took the car back, it ran fine, everything seems okay, but the check engine light is still on.

Any suggestions? Ideas? I checked Volvo forums w/ no avail.

Thanks
-Calvin
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ihartmacz
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Re: Check Engine Light Won't Turn Off

Post by ihartmacz »

Take it to AutoZone and have them tell you what the code is and what it's for - don't let them tell you they can't because all ODB-II use the same connector and codes. Write the code and description down and don't let them sell you anything.

Unplug one of the negative battery terminals for 5 minutes and it will reset. If it comes back you'll have an issue.
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AHTOXA
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Re: Check Engine Light Won't Turn Off

Post by AHTOXA »

Have Autozone pull the code. Write it down and they should tell you what it is, then go from there. There are so many possibilities as to what it could be...
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Re: Check Engine Light Won't Turn Off

Post by Rope-Pusher »

Go to Autozone and buy a roll of black electrical tape. Cut off a piece 25.4 mm long. .....
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Re: Check Engine Light Won't Turn Off

Post by theholycow »

When having Autozone pull the code, don't let them only tell you what the code means. You need the code number. "P0440" is more meaningful than "Evaporative emissions system failure", because the description applies to many codes while P0440 is definitely P0440.
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Re: Check Engine Light Won't Turn Off

Post by watkins »

ihartmacz wrote:Unplug one of the negative battery terminals for 5 minutes and it will reset. If it comes back you'll have an issue.
Most Ricerzone employees I know of will be kind enough to "check" the codes for you. AKA they clear them against store policy.
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Re: Check Engine Light Won't Turn Off

Post by comingbackdown »

watkins wrote:
ihartmacz wrote:Unplug one of the negative battery terminals for 5 minutes and it will reset. If it comes back you'll have an issue.
Most Ricerzone employees I know of will be kind enough to "check" the codes for you. AKA they clear them against store policy.
If they did that to me, my father would call the store manager... He used to work at the local 'Zone, and still knows the manager. Somebody would be getting a majorly epic bitching out after that...

'Nuff said on that.
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Caramel
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Re: Check Engine Light Won't Turn Off

Post by Caramel »

I don't actually know of any AutoZone around here, probably an american based company :P but would Lordco do it? Or would the dealership do it for free as well (or do they classify that as a Dynos)

I noticed my dad added motor oil to the car, but it was over the limit on the dipstick, this was also when the car was a bit warm though, would that cause the engine light to turn on?

And would getting an OBDII Scanner for like 40$ be a bad idea?
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Re: Check Engine Light Won't Turn Off

Post by AHTOXA »

Are you in Canada? I don't know which shops - if any - do it there.

Dealerships normally charge to read the codes. You can purchase the OBDII but I think I saw them for more than $40.
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Re: Check Engine Light Won't Turn Off

Post by watkins »

comingbackdown wrote:
watkins wrote:
ihartmacz wrote:Unplug one of the negative battery terminals for 5 minutes and it will reset. If it comes back you'll have an issue.
Most Ricerzone employees I know of will be kind enough to "check" the codes for you. AKA they clear them against store policy.
If they did that to me, my father would call the store manager... He used to work at the local 'Zone, and still knows the manager. Somebody would be getting a majorly epic bitching out after that...

'Nuff said on that.
Why? Theyre doing you a favor. You would be a complete dickhead to get them in trouble for that
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Re: Check Engine Light Won't Turn Off

Post by AHTOXA »

Getting someone in trouble for doing you a favor doesn't make sense.
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Re: Check Engine Light Won't Turn Off

Post by theholycow »

Caramel wrote:I don't actually know of any AutoZone around here, probably an american based company :P but would Lordco do it? Or would the dealership do it for free as well (or do they classify that as a Dynos)
Dealerships will charge you enough money to buy yourself two scanners.
I noticed my dad added motor oil to the car, but it was over the limit on the dipstick, this was also when the car was a bit warm though, would that cause the engine light to turn on?
Probably not.
And would getting an OBDII Scanner for like 40$ be a bad idea?
I have a $40 scanner from Harbor Freight, it's the second-cheapest one (the cheapest one can't read CAN-bus). It works great, gives me the code and allows me to clear it if I want. I've used it on my GMC, my wife's Isuzu, and my VW.
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Re: Check Engine Light Won't Turn Off

Post by kamesama980 »

Caramel wrote:I noticed my dad added motor oil to the car, but it was over the limit on the dipstick, this was also when the car was a bit warm though, would that cause the engine light to turn on?

And would getting an OBDII Scanner for like 40$ be a bad idea?

adding oil *might* since it is a crazy european car. I've had mercedes come back to the shop I work at because someone put 1/4 quart too much oil in (like 2mm over the line on the dipstick) and they had a light come on, had it checked, and the car said it was overfull. drained some and all better.

ask at whatever auto parts stores you do have. if they say no, make sure they know you aren't asking them to clear it. if they can't at all, ask who does it for free. (I've known autozone people to say no because they think you're asking them to clear it without reading it)
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Re: Check Engine Light Won't Turn Off

Post by Tinton »

You get the code read to find out wtf is wrong, fix wtf is wrong, disconnect the negative terminal on your battery for 5 minutes and you're good to go. I don't see why this is such a complicated topic? You also shouldn't need a OBD-II scanner, it can come in handy when troubleshooting cars, but unless you plan on using it often you should just head to Autozone.

This is why I love OBD-I. I can just get a paperclip and read all my trouble codes :lol:.
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Re: Check Engine Light Won't Turn Off

Post by comingbackdown »

Tinton wrote:You get the code read to find out wtf is wrong, fix wtf is wrong, disconnect the negative terminal on your battery for 5 minutes and you're good to go. I don't see why this is such a complicated topic? You also shouldn't need a OBD-II scanner, it can come in handy when troubleshooting cars, but unless you plan on using it often you should just head to Autozone.

This is why I love OBD-I. I can just get a paperclip and read all my trouble codes :lol:.
In some cases... Not all OBD-I cars are so bloody friendly...
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