850 T5 problem

[BlimeyCharlie]

Hi,

My other half's 96 T5 manual has today had the 'engine management' light on the dash.
This happened before in July, when we'd done a long motorway journey in the wet up to the Lakes.

I put some super-unleaded in it the next day and gave it some 'stick' as thinking something had maybe got fouled slightly at constant motorway revs.

I've not been able to put super-unleaded in it yet (2 Shell garages within half a mile of us, one only has VPower diesel and the other is now shut for two weeks) but should be able to tonight.

Have had the distributor off and cleaned it, but have noticed the car smells a bit 'rich' when pulling up.

So, car runs on normal petrol and I'm wondering if this might be the cause, or is it the cat or a sensor does someone think? Exhaust appears to be sound but I need to have a look as suspicious of smell.

Volvo service history. 150k miles. A good car.

Any help appreciated.
Thanks

[Rockatansky]

You really need to get the codes read to get a proper start on this.

The car will run fine on normal unleaded, but will adapt to super over time.

It could be many things, maybe the coolant sensor tricking it into thinking it's cold for example.

Without the codes it's going to be guesswork.

Make your own flash code reader here: http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=838...

[morgrp]

get the codes read - its prob a lambda sond sensor (O2 in the exhaust) if the car is running fine otherwise.

Cars tend to smell more when they run weak

If its never had one replaced and its a 96m/y then its prob well overdue - piss to change, do it yourself with a spanner and a jack.

[BlimeyCharlie]

Thanks folks.

I'l report back when I know a bit more

[BlimeyCharlie]

The problem has gone away...

My lovely lady reported that when she'd filled up with some more super-unleaded today that the car made a bang when the engine fired up. Then settled down etc.

And now the engine management light has gone out.

About 4 weeks ago I nearly (turned engine off just as it started to cough) ran out of fuel. I didnt want to drag any crap into the system by completely running out of fuel, but had to drive further than I wanted to be safe to stop.

So I think I have clogged something up somewhere, which has now shifted it would seem. The switch to super-unleaded may not be anything to do with it, but twice it has cleared itself of a fault light when we have done this.

Hope this helps. Probably light will come on again tomorrow!

[morgrp]

Even with the light out the code should stay stored in the ecu