Volvo folk - engine system service required

Volvo folk - engine system service required

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Discussion

Ghost91

Original Poster:

2,970 posts

110 months

Sunday 26th July 2015
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Went to look at a lovely Volvo S60 today

Superb condition - needs some new tyres soon and a service but it's got stacks of stamps and receipts to back up everything, cambelt included.

It's very cheap, not for any reason other than the usual, people don't want big petrols that much now and Its all about vw TDI's and the like.

The only problem is there's an amber triangle with a ! In it on the dash, and the message on the computer 'engine system service required'

The seller who seems like a genuine chap, and has another Volvo on the drive, said it was just as its due a service, but Google seems to say otherwise on some pages I've seem, other pages agree with him that it's just due a service.

I'm tempted to make a cheeky offer on the car on the grounds that he hasn't had much interest so far and it's a spare car now as he has his new one - so that would leave me some change for a service and some rubber - but I'm concerned about this error message.

Anyone know for sure what it means?

Thanks

lightthefuse

426 posts

172 months

Sunday 26th July 2015
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You won't know for sure until it's had its codes read by a Volvo dealer or someone with the right interface.

This has happened to me - turned out it was the injection system that was buggered.

Could be something very simple or it could be something nasty.

I believe if a normal service was due it would just say "Service Required".

Fubar1977

916 posts

140 months

Sunday 26th July 2015
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Mine just says "Time for regular service" when it`s just due a normal service.
"Engine system service required" indicates a stored fault code which, as stated above, could be very minor or very expensive or anything in between.
The only way to know is to het the codes read with proper Volvo diagnostic gear, generic code readers aren`t usually much help on these.


Ghost91

Original Poster:

2,970 posts

110 months

Sunday 26th July 2015
quotequote all
Thanks chaps.

Glad I posted on here now as I was close to making an offer - but in this case I guess it's best avoided to be on the safe side

lightthefuse

426 posts

172 months

Sunday 26th July 2015
quotequote all
Understand your hesitation, especially if you have other candidates to choose from.

DId you test drive it? If so, did it hesitate under acceleration at all? That was what mine did, felt like the turbo was blown when the light came on, but after diagnosis, it made sense it was the injectors in my case since it couldn't pump the fuel in fast enough to match what my right foot asked of it.

If it's a four-cylinder model these Ford engines just aren't as bulletproof as the old Volvo five. Can't speak for the new VEA four mind.

bitchstewie

51,099 posts

210 months

Sunday 26th July 2015
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Maybe it's cheap because he knows something is buggered?

Then again maybe it's just a ten quid sensor needs replacing.

Difficulty is you won't know without connecting it to a diagnostic computer.

Slushbox

1,484 posts

105 months

Sunday 26th July 2015
quotequote all
Is this relevant?:

"You can simply re-set the Engine System Service Required by carrying out a simple re-set. Button A is located at the bottom and to the right of your speedo. Ensure all doors are closed, Turn the ignition key to position 1(accessories), Press and hold button A, Immediately turn the ignition key to position 2 (ignition), Keep button A depressed until the service message has been re-set - a yellow 'info' light will illuminate, Release button A within 4 seconds - you will hear a beep when the re-set is complete."

gazza285

9,806 posts

208 months

Sunday 26th July 2015
quotequote all
I had the same on my V70, clutch sensor was buggered, it ran fine, but the cruise didn't work. £38 to fix. You need to get it diagnosed, it could be something as simple, or something major, you'll never know without...

confused_buyer

6,613 posts

181 months

Sunday 26th July 2015
quotequote all
I'm guessing this is the pre-2009 model.

There are two messages - "Engine Service Urgent" and "Engine Service Required" which tend to come up and the latter tends to be less critical.

Clutch position sensor as mentioned is very common as it brake position sensor. Clutch sensor is easy to diagnose - start the car with the clutch out and as you raise the clutch pedal the message will appear. The cruise control with not function either.

If the car isn't in limp mode and driving OK then it is probably a minor stored code but really the only way to know for sure is to read it with the proper Volvo VIDA kit.

Ghost91

Original Poster:

2,970 posts

110 months

Sunday 26th July 2015
quotequote all
Thanks for your replies everyone.

I should have mentioned it's an old one - Y reg I believe.

The seller has asked if he gets it looked at and whatever is wrong is sorted, if I would still be interested.

Seems like a perfectly decent bloke, but after dealing with seemingly decent blokes and cars before there's a chance the light will just be reset! Still, it seems a great car

Martin_M

2,071 posts

227 months

Sunday 26th July 2015
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Ghost91 said:
Thanks for your replies everyone.

I should have mentioned it's an old one - Y reg I believe.

The seller has asked if he gets it looked at and whatever is wrong is sorted, if I would still be interested.

Seems like a perfectly decent bloke, but after dealing with seemingly decent blokes and cars before there's a chance the light will just be reset! Still, it seems a great car
If you're tempted to walk away as a result then why not just be honest and ask him to have a written receipt of what has been done etc and at least you have some sort of comeback with the garage?

Ghost91

Original Poster:

2,970 posts

110 months

Sunday 26th July 2015
quotequote all
Martin_M said:
If you're tempted to walk away as a result then why not just be honest and ask him to have a written receipt of what has been done etc and at least you have some sort of comeback with the garage?
That's not a bad shout. It's not like I'll be losing a fortune, the car is very cheap. But, it'll be my daily, I'm trying to free up some cash to spend on another old Swedish car in need of attention... So I'm hoping it'll be hassle free if I go for it. I know any used car especially at this price is a gamble - guess I've just got to weigh it all up

Ghost91

Original Poster:

2,970 posts

110 months

Sunday 26th July 2015
quotequote all
I say very cheap - not worryingly cheap and it seems a normal price for a 2.0 turbo petrol car as no one really wants them - speaking from experience when trying to sell in the recent past

chris1roll

1,696 posts

244 months

Sunday 26th July 2015
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Had the same message on my wifes 2000 'W' V70 2 days after buying it. rolleyes
In that case it turned out to be the infamous Throttle Position Sensor.
To pay for a new one from Volvo is a substantial amount of money and it would be (in the words of the dealer) "still the same st that will break again."
That is no longer an insurmountable problem, I sent it away to:
http://volvodiagnostic.com/shop/index.php?id_produ...
and had it repaired. It has been on 18 months now. Car has been faultless since (well, aside from an appetite for bulbs!)

Just thought that might help you out, either now or in the future.

Martin_M

2,071 posts

227 months

Sunday 26th July 2015
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Let us know how you get on sir.

ohidunno

506 posts

272 months

Wednesday 9th August 2017
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Hello all, the 'Engine System Service Required' light has appeared on my 1997 XC90. Having read this thread I checked the oil level and sure enough it is over the max, having just had a service. If oil level is the problem does it need to be remedied urgently? I'm off to the South of France in the morning so the timing is not ideal.

many thanks,
Stu

confused_buyer

6,613 posts

181 months

Thursday 10th August 2017
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ohidunno said:
Hello all, the 'Engine System Service Required' light has appeared on my 1997 XC90. Having read this thread I checked the oil level and sure enough it is over the max, having just had a service. If oil level is the problem does it need to be remedied urgently? I'm off to the South of France in the morning so the timing is not ideal.

many thanks,
Stu
Assuming this is a 2007 then, yes, you should take out some oil as when the DPF regenerates the oil level could increase yet further.