Hello,
A few days ago our 1996 850 wagons battery died, when we got it boosted a warning light came on,
this light is different then the light displayed in the manual (an orange triangle with a symbol resembling an openhood inside it)however it is in the place where the check engine light should be so I assume its the check engine light?
If so why has it come on? nothing seems to be wrong other than the battery dying.

 

Check your owners manual. It should be in there I would assume.

 

This is car obviously has a European or Canadian heritage.That isthe "lambda light" which is the same as the "Check Engine Light" on the US models. You need to pull the codes with an OBD-II reader and post them back. In the US most chain auto parts stores will pull the P codes for free. Be sure to get the actual numbers rather than their suggestion that you need a new O-2 sensor. Their job is to sell parts, our job is to help you solve your problem.

...Lee

 

Japanese market models also have the triangle lambda light.

How many miles has the car accumulated, BTW?


JPN

 

Also a good tool to getis a code an OBD II code reader. You can get them for under $100, and it will not only let you read your own codes, but you can also reset the check engine/lambda light yourself.

 

There might be nothing wrong with the car but the attempt to start the car with low battery might have kicked in few codes. As mentioned above, get someone to clear them once and then you might not even see that light again. Also, try disconnecting the battery for about 5-10 minutes and then reconnect it and see if that do some trick - Make sure that ignition is OFF and key is out when you reconnect the battery.

 

Thanks for the help! I think we'll try to disconnect the battery method first. I do live in Canada, good to know that it is the check engine light and not something else. The odometer is at 169957 km.
Thanks again!

 

I live in Canada too....Toronto!.....How about U if u dont mind me asking?

 

I should have asked the age & brand of the battery. If the battery is less than 3 years old and is a reputable brand product, the alternator may be starting to retire (mine failed at 140,000mls X 1.6 = 224,000kms). You can either hook up a digital multimeter (all you need is a $20-$30 Sears Craftsman meter) on the battery with the engine running and see what voltage the battery is getting from the alternator, or have a shop do this for you.

A cheap franchise brand battery could fail prematurely. A decent battery usually costs around U.S $80 and up.


JPN