Greetings. I hope my problem is not too trivial to get a response, but since I got such great help from the brickboard in April (I got the flame trap replaced for $126.00 instead of blank stares of mis-diagnosis from my regular mechanic and the clueless replace-your-engine statement from another), I knew that I had to try again.

Last week our 240 (original owner, 182K) ceased running as I approached a stop. I restarted it while it coasted. The car usually starts very easily but this time I had to crank it markedly longer than usual. The next day it ceased running while driving at 30 mph. Again, I restarted it on the coast and again it didn't seem to want to and THE "CHECK ENGINE" light came on and has remained on.

I havn't driven the car since. The operator's manual simply says to take it to an authorized Volvo dealer..and that is part of the rub.

As noted in the flame-trap matter above I got unbelievably bad non-help from my long-term mechanic. And am now concerned that more of the same will occur.

Q. Does the "CHECK ENGINE" light mean that it needs to be hooked up to an authorized Volvo dealer's diagnostic computer? Can a solid mechanic who hasn't worked Volvos reasonably work on actual cause of the engine failure and deal with the check-engine light? I wonder what is wraong with my car...could it be related to the flame-trap work by said "solid mechanic"? I would highly appreciate any comment your goodselves care to make. Thanks