95' 960 sticking hood release

[garyg]

I have taken over driving my fathers 95 960 and right now only the passenger side of the hood release disengages, the drivers side doesn't. What is the trick to getting the hood open? I need to replace the serpentine belt.

Also, what site lists the ECM diagnostic codes and how do I make the initial readouts? I am a car guy with a lot of DIY experience...but none on a volvo.
thanks in advance

[billofdurham]

Welcome to Matthew's Volvo Site.

I only have experience of RHD cars and the release handle is on the right side of the car. On these vehicles the main cable from the release handle only goes to one catch (on UK models that is the right side). There is a second cable from that catch to the other side. The set up on your car should be the same but possibly the handle is on the left side?

This is how it was done on a UK model as can be seen by the terminology:

OPENING BONNET WHEN CABLE DOES NOT OPERATE

1. Ramp car.
2. Remove tray from under the radiator.
3. Reach up and push out the grill retaining clips (there is just enough room for this).
4. Carefully remove grill from front.
5. Remove ducting/screening from off-side grill mounting bracket to increase access.
6. Insert a long thin screwdriver (or similar) between the radiator and the bodywork to make contact with the off-side bonnet catch mechanism.
7. Push gently and the bonnet catches will release the bonnet.
8. If the cable linking the two catches is broken, the near-side bonnet catch can be operated with a hooked pulling tool.
9. Other ducting/screening plates can be removed to further increase access to bonnet catch mechanism.

It is not an easy job but it can be done without causing damage.

The diagnostic codes are read from the on-board unit mounted on the left strut tower. This link tells how to do it and gives the codes and their meaning. Although headed for the '92 740 turbo the method is the same for your car.

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... c&start=12

This is a list of the codes for the 960:

960 fault codes.jpg (87.79 KiB) Viewed 829 times

Bill.

[garyg]

Thanks for the quick reply, I'll try your suggestions.