Greetings from a new uk Volvo 850 owner

Solutech · Post by **Solutech** » 16 Jan 2008, 14:33

Hello everyone , Ive just bought my first Volvo . Its a 96 850 2.0 Auto .

Its got 149k on the clock and is in what appears to be excellent running order . This is the first auto Ive owned so Im looking for tips on the care and how to get the best use from it . Also any problems I should keep an eye out for .

Been driving it for about a week now and its the nicest car Ive ever driven and Ive driven a fair few lol .

So far all Ive noticed wrong is a couple of interior bulbs are out ie the one in the auto box display which is a trifle unnerving in the dark lol and the bulb in the ashtray and the Tracs bulb in the switch and the butt warmer switch. Looking at the switches Im unsure if you can remove the backlight bulbs to replace them .

Just minor niggles, Im sure a trip to the local dealer will sort the auto box bulb as its a peculiar looking bulb none of the local car shops have in stock .

Anyways hello once again and thanks for any tips and advice you can give me .

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 16 Jan 2008, 14:54

Welcome to MVS.

Bill is from your side of the pond so I'm sure he can help sort some of where to buy the bulbs, etc. for you. In the meantime, download the free service manual that's in the pinned section of this forum and look through the repair database section which I believe has a write-up on bulb replacements on the dash, radio, center column and other places in the car. Good luck!

Post by **billofdurham** » 16 Jan 2008, 15:30

Thank you MIJ, always putting me in the hot seat.

We no longer have Tandy, which was a subsidiary of Radioshack so one off and strange bulbs are harder to source. However, I manage to get everything I need at Maplins:

http://www.maplin.co.uk/

If it's electrical they usually have it but don't ask for a catalogue as they charge an arm and a leg.

A few more members from over here and we'll be serious competition for ......... well somebody.

Bill.

Solutech · Post by **Solutech** » 16 Jan 2008, 15:48

Thanks for the tip on maplins , Id never of thought of looking there . Had a quick look but they dont appear to have that type of bulb . Its got a black plastic body with two triangular lugs on either side .

Those ones or I miss my guess an online shop has them listed as R509TL's.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 16 Jan 2008, 16:01

Looking at the switches Im unsure if you can remove the backlight bulbs to replace them.

On a '96 model they are easy. Use a thin plastic pry tool or, if you are very careful, a small screwdriver and pop the switch out of the dash. It is best to pry from the bottom of the switch.

Once the switch is out of the dashboard you should find a round socket holder on the back of the switch, directly behind the symbol that identifies the switch. A twist of the socket should remove the lamp.

My car is a '94 so I wind up soldering new lamps in after I take the entire switch apart to get to the bulb. My son has a'96 but I have not yet replaced any lamps on his car - As such, I'm not sure if the lamp is special (Dealer) or not.

...Lee

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 16 Jan 2008, 19:46

Sorry Bill for the "hot seat" treatment.

I just don't know how to advise someone who lives in your neck of the woods.

Post by **billofdurham** » 17 Jan 2008, 12:37

David, no problems. It was tongue in cheek, as it is so often with my warped sense of humour.

Those bulbs look like the 'dealer only' type, unless you can do what Lee suggests. It is fiddly but I have done two since this problem came up some time ago and this was suggested. There is a huge price difference.

Bill.

Solutech · Post by **Solutech** » 20 Jan 2008, 04:51

Righty with the bulbs solution pegged Im on to the next one lol .

I have 3 dash lights that dont light when the ignition is in the 2 position with the engine not running .

Service Light
ABS Light
Tracs

The tracs switch appears to have no effect and unlike other abs cars I cant feel the abs working via the pedal . Im thinking the abs/tracs module fault . Im a pretty competent wielder of the old soldering iron so Im willing to have a bash at a resolder . Unlike other people though my speedo etc are perfectly fine so I thought Id check before I go opening up a perfectly good unit . All the fuses etc are in order and the connector seems tight enough . Could it be anything else ? .

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 20 Jan 2008, 06:59

have 3 dash lights that dont light when the ignition is in the 2 position with the engine not running .

Service Light
ABS Light
Tracs

Leave the service light out, it only causes aggravation. The other two were obviously intentionally removed so as to mask the problem with the ABS module.

The ABS modules fail in a progressive manner, the first thing is the ABS / Tracks lights which leaves the car without ABS and Tracs - The Tracs is worthless anyway so it is no great loss. After time, as more solder joints fail, the failure extends its way to the VSS circuit hence no speedometer signal.

There is a fuse you can check, it is fuse number 14 on US spec cars and is likely the same on yours. Chances are it is fine but you can always hope.

Good luck with it and let us know how it comes out.

...Lee

Solutech · Post by **Solutech** » 20 Jan 2008, 08:02

Yup had a word with my pet wrench monkey and he thinks the same . I wasnt overly fussed about the service light or the tracs . Its the abs I would like working properly . Time to dig out the Torx set I bought for my old gti lol . Knew it was worth keeping :p .