Much as I would like to believe that - - - , I can always get the engine to turn over and run about 15 Revolutions - - - ! then the spark dies out completely .

So the System is sophisticated enough to start - - but then a kill system tells the motor not to continue - -

If I then remove the key ...

By the year 2000 the Australian Government had mandated the inclusion of Key Coding for all cars ( even for the primitive locally made Vehicles ).

Volvo as usual were quick out of the blocks and put this option on the vehicles before it was required either as standard or a low cost option ...

Thanks for the Explanation's - - -

1) I am in Sydney - - it is a 10 Valve Unit Wagon '96 model ( both the ones I have to maintain are Identical ) - -I have a wreck 10 valve unit ('94) on site that We could spend another Sunday or two trying to put in ( 350 K however !! ) .
2) I hope to fix this one ...

Thanks for Input so far - - -but I am trying to avoid being hung out by the dealers ( In Australia - -particularly Sydney - - they take you down badly price wise !!) and unfortunately the Local Parts recyclers and Importers would still have to get the key reprogrammed by a dealer - - - after all ...

I have to maintain two '96 850's both standard models - - both with the same type key - -

In this picture My wifes much older 940 key is the pointed plain handled key - - - - .

The much bigger thick handle ( nearly twice as thick ) is the 850 key . IMG00206.jpg

I hope the Image shows up ...

No - - Had this one Verified by a local Locksmith when I took the key to him for a duplication - - I needed a second key - - .
Locksmith pushed the key into an electrical box - - Key Gizmo - - he said it had a chip in it and that all he could cut for me was a
door lock key that would not start the ...

Now - - rather scared to ask the next question - - - and until I have thought a lot more about this - - - Can you answer another Question ( any of the current responders would be OK - - - -) , Why would an Insert be better - - is an Insert not Just another Bigger Bolt :) ??.
The vehicle is some ...

Help ! - - , Late Sunday evening , Hard day on a Blown head gasket on Son in laws three month owned 850 wagon ( '96 ) ,
We are fairly Tired and I am tightening the Tenth head bolt for the last time ( Haynes Manual suggests get to 44 ft lb then pull the torque wrench through 130 degrees ...

Gas ( errr Petrol down here in the land of the Kangaroo ) consumption is not good - - 500 Kms ( about 300 UK Miles per tank ) - - but I know that the Catalytic Convertor is not putting any Back pressure into the System - - -, ( I am able to feed a wooden rod straight through it we have no Emission ...

In Australia we get a key with a '96 850 that looks normal but has the letters "Ymos" and nothing else engraved on it .

My New ( but now old ) 850 Wagon ('96) has a Bug !! - -

I start it easily 90% of the time - - Bu the other 10% bothers me - - , changed most Electrical Parts - -Plugs / wires ...