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Turbo vs Non-Turbo Trip computer. Is there a difference?

Help, Advice and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's P80 platform cars -- Volvo's 1990s "bread and butter" cars -- powered by the ubiquitous and durable Volvo inline 5-cylinder engine.

1992 - 1997 850, including 850 R, 850 T-5R, 850 T-5, 850 GLT
1997 - 2000 S70, S70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70, V70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70-XC
1997 - 2004 C70

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logscool
Posts: 23
Joined: 20 March 2019
Year and Model: 1996 850 GLT Wagon
Location: Saint Paul, MN

Turbo vs Non-Turbo Trip computer. Is there a difference?

Post by logscool »

I want to add a trip computer to my 1996 Volvo 850 GLT. It has a VDO cluster. If I install a trip computer from a turbo car will it give me accurate mileage readings in my NA?

Also I recently corrected the mileage on the odometer after a repair. It has made me notice that the mechanical odometer is accumulating miles a bit slower than the clusters internal mileage it is only about 0.75% slower than the clusters internal mileage. Connecting a scangauge shows that it also accumulates miles faster than the mechanical odo. Is this normal? I'm sure it's within the margin of error of both of these gauges I'm just not sure why they are different.

logscool
Posts: 23
Joined: 20 March 2019
Year and Model: 1996 850 GLT Wagon
Location: Saint Paul, MN

Post by logscool »

Well I guess I'll just find out for myself and report back in a couple weeks after it's installed and had a chance to compare at least a tank to my new scangauge II.

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misha
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Post by misha »

They are the same....but the problem is that it needs to be added to ecu or cluster by a dealer...if the car wasn't originally equipped with it.
'97 850 2.5 20v / fully equipped / Motronic 4.4 from the factory / upgraded with S,V,C,XC70 instrument cluster / polar white wagon
History of Volvos in the family:
'71 144 S
'73 144 De Luxe
'78 244 DL
'78 244 DL
'79 244 GLE
'85 340 GLS

logscool
Posts: 23
Joined: 20 March 2019
Year and Model: 1996 850 GLT Wagon
Location: Saint Paul, MN

Post by logscool »

Oh, I was not aware of that. I was thinking of doing an ECU tune at some point so perhaps this could be added but if something in the clusters computer needs to be changed too I'm not sure how to accomplish that.

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misha
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Post by misha »

It's a dealer thing...only.
Btw...ecu tune in n/a car can give you max.20hp....and that...IF done properly.
'97 850 2.5 20v / fully equipped / Motronic 4.4 from the factory / upgraded with S,V,C,XC70 instrument cluster / polar white wagon
History of Volvos in the family:
'71 144 S
'73 144 De Luxe
'78 244 DL
'78 244 DL
'79 244 GLE
'85 340 GLS

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erikv11
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Post by erikv11 »

logscool wrote: 07 Apr 2019, 17:14 I want to add a trip computer to my 1996 Volvo 850 GLT. It has a VDO cluster. If I install a trip computer from a turbo car will it give me accurate mileage readings in my NA? ...
Yes.

And unlike for the S/V/C70 the 850 trip computer is plug and play for any VDO cluster, no dealer visit required. Just also get and connect the info switch from the donor car and everything will work. Plug them both in and go.
'95 854 T-5R, Motronic 4.4, 185k
'98 V70, T5 tune-injectors-turbo, LPT engine, 304k, daily driver
'06 S60 R, 197k
'07 XC70, black, 205k
'07 XC70, willow green, 212k
'99 Camry V6 :shock: 153k
gone: '96 NA 850 210k, '98 NA V70 182k, '98 S70 NA 225k, '96 855 NA 169k

Ozark Lee
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Post by Ozark Lee »

There are some compatibility issues on the older N/A cars that used the LH 3.2 Jetronic ECU setup instead of the Motronic.

...Lee
'94 850 N/A 5 speed
'96 Platinum Edition Turbo
Previous:
1999 V70XC - Nautic Blue - Totaled while parked.
1999 V70XC - RIP - Wrecked Parts Car.
1998 S70 T5
1996 850 N/A
1989 740 GLT
1986 740 GLT
1972 142 Grand Luxe

logscool
Posts: 23
Joined: 20 March 2019
Year and Model: 1996 850 GLT Wagon
Location: Saint Paul, MN

Post by logscool »

This car is Motronic M4.4 so I think that should be ok. Thanks for the heads up.

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