V70 check engine light

[burrotaxi]

Have searched the forum and cant find anything definitive. Car is 2001 V70 2.4 with 65k miles. My usual mechanic who just does servicing said he didnt have kit to diagnose problem. Took to Volvo specialist who couldnt diagnose issue because codes are not as specific on older Volvos apparently and advised to just ignore it. Third guy has diagnosed a lean running issue on two cylinders and replaced injectors and coil packs as well as vacuum hoses but still the check engine light returns. God only knows how much this is going to cost or even whether its worth it. As it stands the car can’t be sold so is effectively scrap. I had thought i had many years left in it but do i keep going with lambda sensors etc. Doesnt seem to be any definitive advice on forum and people with same issue either solve it and never report it or ignore the problem or scrap their cars. Any thoughts?

[Georgeandkira]

What were the codes?
Sounds like you've patronized 3 doltish guys.
Mechanic #1 who said the Volvo codes for 2001 vehicles weren't as specific etc. and to ignore them is an insulting liar.
While it's true a vehicle can often be driven with a relatively harmless condition (a condition which causes the CEL to light up), the advice to ignore codes is wrong.

You're saying the "check engine light" is still on?
Get the codes read, write them down and post them here.
Many trouble codes are generic which the cheapest of readers can display.
Sometimes a detailed code reading using a more advanced tool is necessary.
Ask your guys if they have a Volvo scan tool.

If anyone is using an old Launch system (with long, multi-tipped cards) or one of many other shabby readers, they're not going to reach your car's mind.

You probably do have many more years left in your car, you just have to find the right guy. Many have posted here seeking a Volvo reader near their home. Where's your APPROXIMATE location?

All this is easy to say and REAL DIFFICULT to do if you're not mechanical. Also (and this is potentially painful) if someone in your position just patronizes local, easy to get to garages, you might not get the service you need.

[stuart bowes]

I definitely 100% would not scrap it, mines the same age and pretty much the same miles and I know for a fact I could triple scrap value just by selling off a handful of the parts

Front and rear light clusters alone would get you close. Interior trim bits in good condition go for decent money especially a complete centre console / arm rest...

Besides which it can probably be repaired without massively excessive cost..

I'd wager the people who just scrap their cars are the ones with 2-300+ on the clock and at that point it starts requiring real commitment and there may be other issues that make it not worth the effort

What you want as mentioned above is someone near you that has vida

[burrotaxi]

In fairness to first guy he is old school and if a part breaks he will repair or even make a new one, he is retirement age and is not interested in investing in loads of kit to diagnose problems. Local dealers bring him old cars with carbs to tune. Second guys ran service dept of local volvo dealer and have kit to diagnose but their view seemed to be it wasnt worth chasing the problem as the car runs fine. The third guy re programmes ecu etc and has tons of diagnostic kit so im assuming we are not getting a precise diagnosis. My thoughts were it was lambda sensor but we seem to have already invested in loads of other parts. To be honest i prefer older cars but im beginning to lose faith in this one, how they get to 300,000 miles is anyones guess. I dont recall the exact code but im being told it is a general one and doesnt point to a specific component.

[T5R92011]

If you've paid for a diagnostic test I would have expected they'd given you a printout of what codes were returned. Have you checked invoice etc?

Either way, getting the error code is a good starting point.

Also, how does the car drive? Down on power etc? Is the warning light always on, or does it goes off and comes on midway through driving? Does it come on at idle speed or cruising speed?

[volvo again]

You could buy yourself a cheap obd reader and read the codes, plenty on ebay or your local car spares shop will probably have one for £25 ish...