Volvo Repair: XC70 2002 Engine light, fan running unexpectedly and steering fluid empty, power steering fluid, temp gauge

Question
Hi. We have an XC70 we left for a few months over winter and started driving again yesterday. The power steering fluid was drained (can't confirm that it was empty or not) enough to hear noises warranting finding out what the problem was and topping it up. Now topped up and after a 400 mile drive, still seems to be OK. Should I be suspicious that it's leaking and will need repairing, or just monitor and see over time?

Also, about 150 miles into the drive, the engine light came on. Stopped into a Volvo delear to discuss and naturally they recommended not driving & hiring a car there and then to finish the journey. We could see no obvious problem, so decided to continue anyway and the journey was completed OK. Now the car has cooled down, the only obvious difference I can see is that after reparking the car, driving it for no more than 2 minutes, the fan ran for a while as if the engine was hot, but the temp gauge is low (and was normal during yesterday's drive). Checked it again before posting. 10 secs on and the fan wants to run for quite a while. So I suspect a thermostat is faulty. Would you agree my suspicions and is this a user servicable item including turning off the engine light (and would the thermostat be the cause of the light coming on)? Or should I really be seeking expert help? Thanks!

Answer
  It obviously is leaking or you have a power steering fluid theif in the neighborhood! Monitor it by checking underneath the car and on the ground every morning and after work to see where it's puddling. throw a quart in the trunk and watch it.
  Two things, are you running the A/C? Are the defrosters on? It is normal for the fan to run if the A/C pressure gets too high and has nothing to do with engine teperature.
   #2 Low coolant.
   #3 Weak water pump.
   #4 Resricted cooling system somewhere, and lastly (yeah, I know, I can't count)
   #5 Cooling fan temperature switch. Check the above then replace the switch. HTH
   #6 Faulty CTS for the guage. (Coolant Temperature Switch)(the engine really is too hot, but it's not showing it.)


Mark