850 GLT, 1995, SRS light stays on

squeaky3 · Post by **squeaky3** » 21 Jul 2009, 22:17

As soon as I disconnected the airbag to replace it, the SRS light came on. I thought when I reconnected it after I replaced the airbag, it would go back to normal, i.e., off. I reconnected it, both the violet and the orange harness and battery, but the light is still on. Isn't there a code I can enter to erase the light? Is there something else I need to do? The replacement went without a hitch except for the light. Thanks.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 21 Jul 2009, 22:59

Put the fly wire from your diagnostic unit into port B-5. Read all of the codes.

Once all of the codes are read press and hold the button for 5 seconds. Let off of the button and the LED should come on again. while the LED is on, press and hold the button for another 5 seconds. That should clear the fault.

...Lee

squeaky3 · Post by **squeaky3** » 23 Jul 2009, 17:37

Thanks for your help. I'll try what you told me. I'm guessing the diagnostic unit is the gizmo on the passenger's side under the hood. But how do I "read all of the codes"? If you can tell me that, I think I can do the rest. My Haynes' Manual told me to disconnect the negative terminal, put the ignition into the #2 position. Connect the negative terminal. Turn the ignition off. Then start the car and in 10 seconds the SRS light will be gone. Didn't work! And I tried it half a dozen times. Another issue is the Service Light. I followed the instructions, maybe yours, in "Reset Service Light Volvo 850, S70, C70, XC70," on this site. That didn't work for me either. Thanks again.

Squeaky3

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 23 Jul 2009, 18:29

Snag a copy of the factory service manual from here:

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/downlo ... vo_850.zip

Once you unzip it see the file named air bag restrain system.pdf.

It will walk you through the procedure to test and reset the system, if you get any error codes it will also walk you through test procedures.

Don't use an Ohmmeter to try to test any of the airbags as it can actually trigger them.

Post your codes back but my bet is that your clockspring connection on the steering wheel has failed.

...Lee

squeaky3 · Post by **squeaky3** » 23 Jul 2009, 18:51

Once again, thanks for your help and for being so quick about it. I assume in pointing me to the service manual, you think this is a procedure a novice, me, can do himself. I'll certainly try. If, as you say, the "clockspring connection" has failed, is that something I can handle also? And how will I know it's failed? And what is it?\

Squeaky3

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 24 Jul 2009, 03:54

The diagnostic portion through the A/B boxes takes no special tools - just a pen and paper to mark down the LED flashes. The clock spring connection is in the base of the steering wheel and provides the trigger to the airbag in the center of the steering wheel. Since the steering wheel is always moving it is a slip ring and that is really the only moving part in the system.

Most of the time a fault code 2-1-2 means the clock spring is bad.

Replacing it isn't a real challenge, there are two screws that hold the airbag on and then one nut that holds the steering wheel on.

The procedure is very well documented in Step 4 in this writeup:

http://www.woodjoiner.com/volvo/

...Lee

squeaky3 · Post by **squeaky3** » 24 Jul 2009, 06:16

From what you wrote about the clockspring, I'm thinking I should have mentioned the airbag I replaced was NOT the drivers side but the PASSENGER side. Does that alter your diagnosis? Secondly, when I went to the woodjoiner site you referred me to, all I found was info on AC evaporation systems. (I should also have mentioned I'm basically computer illiterate.)

squeaky3

Post by **confused_al** » 24 Jul 2009, 08:47

In case Lee is busy this morning...

squeaky3 wrote:...NOT the drivers side but the PASSENGER side

Then you dont have to worry about the clockspring for now, even tho there is still a chance it went bad (thats why Lee want you check your codes).

squeaky3 wrote:I followed the instructions, maybe yours, in "Reset Service Light Volvo 850, S70, C70, XC70," on this site. That didn't work for me either.

This link will help:
http://volvospeed.com/850slight.php

From this write-up and the pics you should have an idea what Lee was talking about,

Ozark Lee wrote:Put the fly wire from your diagnostic unit into port B-5. Read all of the codes.

Once all of the codes are read press and hold the button for 5 seconds. Let off of the button and the LED should come on again. while the LED is on, press and hold the button for another 5 seconds. That should clear the fault.

This link will give you a bit more info:
http://volvospeed.com/CheckEngine.php

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 24 Jul 2009, 13:33

I re-read your original post and I am back to just clearing the codes and you will likely be fine.

...Lee

squeaky3 · Post by **squeaky3** » 25 Jul 2009, 12:56

Once again, thank you. I haven't tried the procedure yet, but I will. While I waited for your response, I called various top-flight European car mechanics, including Swedish car specialists. They all told me the procedure for clearing the codes, or that particular code, is proprietary information not divulged by Volvo, so I would have to take the car to a dealer. I'm hoping you're right and they're wrong. We'll see. Thanks.