What's this light? S40

Bassboxxx

I have a warning light coming on every now and again in my car and I don't know what it is.

the car is an '02 Volvo s40 1.9d.

the light is a ! inside a circle with () on either side, like handbrake light but ! instead of P obviously. It's red.
It only comes on for a second at most, and mostly when I'm pulling away.

Thanks..

Anan1

Sounds like either a brake fluid or a pad wear warning to me.

Avns1s

I agree with Anan but probably fluid level. This is generally measured with a float type mechanism and it can happen that under braking or acceleration that the fluid in the centre of the reservoir moves back or forward giving a warning that the level is low. Check the fluid level.

Pkiernan

Bassboxxx wrote: »

I have a warning light coming on every now and again in my car and I don't know what it is.

the car is an '02 Volvo s40 1.9d.

the light is a ! inside a circle with () on either side, like handbrake light but ! instead of P obviously. It's red.
It only comes on for a second at most, and mostly when I'm pulling away.

Thanks..

According to page 1:7 of my manual:

"Brake circuit not working (brake fluid level too low)"


Also:

" If this light comes on while driving or braking, the fluid level in the brake fluid reservoir is too low. Stop driving immediately and check the level in the reservoir.
If the light contiues to stay on, the EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution) is not working.
Drive to your Volvo dealer."

Translation: top up the brake fluid. I do not recommend driving to your Volvo dealer, who will charge you €120 per hour to look at your car!!!! Thats €2 per minute :eek::eek::eek:

In your case it should be any brake fluid DOT 4+ or better.

Hope that helps!

slimjimmc

In case you don't have a print copy of the owner's manual you can download one for the 2004 model from Volvo here. (pdf 7.5MB)

Pg 37 says what Pkiernan and the other guys said.

Chippy01

Pkiernan wrote: »

According to page 1:7 of my manual:

"Brake circuit not working (brake fluid level too low)"


Also:

" If this light comes on while driving or braking, the fluid level in the brake fluid reservoir is too low. Stop driving immediately and check the level in the reservoir.
If the light contiues to stay on, the EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution) is not working.
Drive to your Volvo dealer."

Translation: top up the brake fluid. I do not recommend driving to your Volvo dealer, who will charge you €120 per hour to look at your car!!!! Thats €2 per minute :eek::eek::eek:

In your case it should be any brake fluid DOT 4+ or better.

Hope that helps!

I wouldn't be so quick to just top up the fluid level.
There are two reasons why your fluid level would drop;
1, you have a leak in your brake system;
2, your brake pads have worn down. As your brakes get used and worn, the brake level in your reservoir compensates by dropping in level. If your pads have worn down to the minimum, your indicator light will come on.

bazz26

slimjimmc wrote: »

In case you don't have a print copy of the owner's manual you can download one for the 2004 model from Volvo here. (pdf 7.5MB)

Pg 37 says what Pkiernan and the other guys said.

That's the owner's manual for the MkII S40 though. The OP has a 02 S40 which is a MkI.

Bassboxxx

Thanks I'll check pads first then brake fluid level see how I go.:)