Car is an 89 245DL

The orange SERVICE light came on today after starting my car. I didn't panick--or should I? I checked the owner's manual, and it says that that this light comes on every 5000 miles to remind the driver that service needs to be done. Is it just that, a "reminder" light and not a "something is wrong with the engine" (CHECK ENGINE)light? What service is it talking about? Also, it says that the light will go off after 2 minutes until reset by a tech. It did go off after 2 minutes, but it came back on the next start up and went off after 2 minutes. To turn this light off until the next 5000 miles, do I need to go to a Volvo tech or can I reset it myself?

In the meantime, is the SERVICE light something to be concerned about? Can I still drive the car until I find a convenient time to reset it? Thank you, Volvo gods.

I am a little late on this response, but the service engine light comes on to remind you to change oil. Not that most of us need that, but anyway, it is somewhat of a pain to shut off. You have to stand on your head, remove the "fabric" panel under the dash, so you can reach up under the instument cluster, and then press a button on back of the speedomenter to re-set the light. The button is located at approximatly the 2:00 position if you were looking from the front (but of course you won't be as you will be standing on your head uttering obscenities, as you try to find the button.

Yes, you can drive it.

And lucky you, you have the only year of the 89-93 cars, that has to be reset by reaching up and under the instrument panel, to the back of the speedo, to flip the little reset switch.

The later cars had a convenient (but unreliable) reset button on the front of the cluster. But it doesn't always work, as it is a push cable that goes to the back of the cluster. STrange thoughts occupied the minds of some engineers at Volvo. Effective, but strange.
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Chris Herbst, near Chicago.

I belive the service light is just something you can reset. On the earlier ones it was a 30k reminder to check/replace the o2 sensor (I think). On the earlier ones.. with a mechanical speedo you can just disconnect the box, and the light will still come on when the key is turned to POS2 and go out like usual. Dunno if that's doable on the newer ones... at least out here in California the smog check station is supposed to make sure that your check engine light (and I believe service reminder light) are off when you start the car but are indeed functional. Dunno how often they actually do this in practice.

- alex

'85 244 Turbo
'84 245 Turbo

Service your car I.E. change the oil, oil filter, and other filters as needed plus any other mileage scheduled service that is needed.

Light can be reset by depressing lever switch on the left rear side of the speedo. Reach down and then up behind the dash.

Service light.....Oil Change.

Check Engine Light...Emissions issues
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'75 Jeep CJ5 345Hp ChevyPwr and two motorcycles: it wasn't Volvos safety , it was Longevity that sold me

to remind you to do stuff.

if CHECK ENGINE comes on, you should be wary.

SERVICE you can ignore and put off if you want. Not sure how to reset it for the 200's, but I would guess it's similar to the 700/900 so here ya go:

http://www.brickboard.com/FAQ/700-900/ElectricalInstruments.htm#ServiceLightResetinVariousModels
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Kenric Tam
1990 Volvo 740 base sedan (B230F)
My Volvo 'Project'

Not to fear, the service light, as the manual says, is just a reminder. There are two check engine lights in the dash. The are right next to each other, the manual should indicate which is which. There is a way to reset it yourself, there is a switch under the dashboard, on the drivers side I believe,its been a long time, that controls it. It is fine to drive the car until you can find the time to reset it. It is also possible to turn the reminder light off for good, which isn't so bad it you do your own maintenance and remember to do it. Best of luck.

Pete '89 240 DL 236,000