1996 850 Wagon Service Light On Topic is solved

PeteB · Post by **PeteB** » 30 May 2014, 19:16

I am new to Volvos and am considering purchasing a 1996 850 Wagon with 100K miles from a friend.
The service light is on and I assume this is the check engine light, being OBD2 I have to take it and have the codes read out?
Seems to drive fine started instantly, no odd noises, no pull, smooth shifts, the only issues I noticed were some mild pulsation in the brakes and that the service light was on.
I know that the original owner maintained it perfectly and her father is now the owner so it has been in the same family.
I'll try to get the maintenance records and it will need a timing belt if it has not been done. Any other maintenance in particular that I should look for?
I noticed discussion of a gas leak recall, did this apply to the wagon also?
I have the VIN number and I'll try to find out if the recall was done.

Post by **rspi** » 30 May 2014, 19:26

Hi and welcome to the forum. The SERVICE light is different than the CEL (Check Engine). You can check YouTube for a Pretty Purchased Volvo 850 video, and a review video.

Post by **kahl** » 30 May 2014, 19:26

The service light is triggered by mileage, easy to reset. It is different from the check engine light. With only 100K on the clock the usual suspects would be TB, brakes, suspension and PCV system. If the car was well maintained the list should be small.

Post by **rspi** » 30 May 2014, 19:28

Oh, if you are not a DIY-selfer or willing to learn how to fix cars yourself, just walk away.

Post by **dosbricks** » 30 May 2014, 21:12

Correct me if I'm wrong, but you couldn't clear it off on a '96 without dealer diagnostics or much later a special gadget that costs about $75. That raised a hew and cry from owners that caused Volvo to relent a bit and make it go off automatically on the S70s after the engine had run for about 30 seconds. When I removed my instrument cluster to replace the odometer gear, I yanked that bulb out.

Post by **kahl** » 30 May 2014, 22:21

dosbrick you are correct . 93 thru 95 850 the SRI is reset with the Data Link Connector. 96 thru 98 the SRI is reset with the Volvo scan tool or equivalent.

PeteB · Post by **PeteB** » 30 May 2014, 22:23

Thanks everyone, yes I can DIY and have worked on both American and foreign cars in my life. Even a few engine swaps, clutches, head gaskets, etc. But this was on older and simpler cars that were easier to work on. I might do the timing belt if it needs it, not up for engine swaps anymore.

The Youtube video was helpful - Thanks!

Will a standard OBD-II scanner at most auto parts stores work to read the ECU codes or do I have to go to Volvo?

Post by **MoVolvos** » 31 May 2014, 01:06

kahl wrote:dosbrick you are correct . 93 thru 95 850 the SRI is reset with the Data Link Connector. 96 thru 98 the SRI is reset with the Volvo scan tool or equivalent.

Just received this tool today. Attached are the instructions. Someone mentioned in another post of never hearing about this tool. Well, the Self Addressed Stamped Warranty Card had a .23 cent stamp on it

.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VOLVO-Service-I ... 7675.l2557

Blessings,
BKM
_

PeteB · Post by **PeteB** » 31 May 2014, 07:20

So according to those instructions there should be a reset button under
the rubber plug assuming it has one?

I've been reading about the PCV service and believe that this car should
not have EGR, is that correct or is there a place where I can check by
the VIN number? Sounds like it is much easier on cars without EGR.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 31 May 2014, 07:50

The best way to see if you have EGR is to look. If so equipped, the EGR valve will be bolted onto the bottom of the intake manifold just behind the throttle body. There is a steel line that runs from the valve, through the EGR controller, back to a hole on the far left hand side of the exhaust manifold.

The easiest place to look is at the front - just take off the air intake snorkel and take a look.

As far as the service light reset goes I use VOL-FCR and a Vag-Com cable. VOL-FCR is floating around all of the P2P sites and the cable can be had for under $20.00 on eBay. Some of the eBay cable sellers throw in a copy of VOL-FCR.

...Lee