In my Volvo 240 1989 the service light comes on everytime I start my car and it stays on for about the first 3 minutes of driving, then goes away.



I am pretty sure this is related, I can start my car fine on a cold engine(I just bought a new starter a couple of months ago). But if the engine is hot and I start it, the car has trouble starting(like it's not getting enough gas) and I get the Service light AND the Check engine light for the first 3 minutes.



Can anyone help me with diagnose this problem? I am really poor and would like to be able to fix this by myself if it is easy enough.

Service light: PLEEEEEEEEEEEEZZZZZE DO service NOW!!!!!!!!! Too many good cars are totally wrecked by ppl not doing scheduled maintenance. It makes me weep to hear ppl discovering the hard way that the guy before him didn't keep up the oil/oil changes etc. THEN reset counter (lever/button on back of speedo) Other is electrical fault in EMU or its sensors, or perhaps just bad mixture detected at the O2 sensor. Set all default adjustments, good exhaust etc,Test all sensors to see they comply with the standard specs, then if fault persists, replace EMU and test again. UNLESS you have the fault indicator at the back of the engine bay (Post LF 2.2 systems - something post 1988 or so) Good luck-tho' I hope you don't need it.

Wow, you mean it detects when an oil change is needed? It's been about 4 months since I have changed the oil. Level is currently good. I don't drive it much so I don't think I hit 3k miles yet.

It's just a counter, I believe, but it's a manual reset-remove instument cluster and press button/lever on back. Service interval is 5,000 mi/8,000km on my model.

poor start can be poor fuel pressure ==regulator/pumpS/fuses/relays/filters. test fuel pressure 36psi ok
at manifold. Check ALL vacuum hoses for cracks and hardness-if hard/old, then poor sealing, and bad vacuum. Remove concertina hose to examine for cracks and wear. replace all faulty vacuum hoses.

Also bad plugs/leads/dizzy cap/rotor/fuse/wiring/coil/etc.

Check compression, and or examine exhaust pipe end, is the deposit in the pipe end wet or dry. If wet, with oil, your motor is u/s, if dry powdery and black she's too rich, if grey and firm, running great on good length runs. Water condensate is normal in exhausts, especially when cold. Oily condensate usually means major cooling system failure.

Get someone who can read the codes from the on-board computer. It could be as simple as a bad O2 sensor. As for the service light, I used to reset mine by pressing the little recessed button at the lower right of the instrument cluster with a ball point pen for a few seconds. I later took the gauge unit out and removed the bulb. 'Don't got to have no stinkin' bulb tell when to change the oil.