I have a 1997 850 T-5 Turbo Wagon. Yesterday driving in -4 deg. C. upto Whistler, BC after an hour the car started loosing power. I got a warning light that is not even in the manual. It is a green triangle with a sort of gas peddle.

I got into a rest area and called BCAA who came out to have a look. Unfortunately he was not a mechanic, but a tow truck driver. He disconnected the battery hoping it might reset. It did not work.

We limped back to Vancouver an hour away. The car still sputtered like it was not getting enough air or fuel. It was worse at 2200 RPM's. Once you pushed through it would run better at 100 KM/HR and 3100 RPM's.

Any idea what the problem is?

Scott Morrison
Vancouver, BC
Canada

 

is your check engine light on at all? kinda sounds like a MAF, unplug your maf and see if it helps

 

Hey there Scott, good to see another vancouverite on this forum.

I had something like this happen before and the problem turned out to be a malfunctioning turbo control valve. I took it to Ed Schram motors in Surrey who specialize in volvos and they checked the codes and diagnosed the problem. They set me up with a used unit so it cost only about $25 plus labour. If you don't really want to do the work yourself (considering this cold snap), i'd take it to these guys.

Just my $0.02, hope you get your ride back to normal.

Also, that light is the lambda light, and I believe it's the check engine light on canadian spec volvos.

 

+1

That is the CEL light on your car. Check the codes and see what comes back. Once you have them, post them up here so that we can help you get the car back to normal.