I have almost finished fixing up my new S90. NC state inspection passed. When I bought this car I budgeted $1000.00 for repairs. I will be coming in well under this amount. What a lovely car to own and drive.

Replaced:
Radiator
All rotors and pads
Heater core which was leaking
AC receiver dryer as a result of pulling the entire ECC unit and opening system
Door handle internal lever
New plugs which solved check engine light with code PO303 (misfire on cyl 3)

Repaired:
ECC solonoid PCB solder joint

Complete detailing done

Still to do:
Flush tranny and change oil, both will go over to synthetic.
Recharge AC system as a result of opening the system.
Replace PNP switch if it acts up again.

Need the small bulbs mounted in plastic holders for cigar lighter and ash tray and one for the rear ashtray/console storage compartment. As a matter of principal I avoid the dealer for any parts or service. I do drop in for free info and help from there computer pictures in the parts dept though.
Anyone know of a source for these small bulbs?

Its now time to dispose of my beloved 88 740 with 272K miles and still running beautifully.
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David Hunter

Dealer wanted too much, $8 each, what an outrage!
Found suitable bulbs at Radio Shack for $1.29 part #272 1141. Easy to install by feeding the leads into the bulb holders and soldering.

Also replaced some radio and dash switch bulbs with Radio Shack #272 1092, 2 for $1.49. Dealer said radio bulbs could not be replaced and only solution offered was to trade in old radio for a "reconditioned" one. Did not even ask the cost. Replacing the radio bulbs takes about 15 minutes, switch bulbs even less.

This confirms my position that we should really stay away from the dealers except for recall or warranty issues.
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David Hunter

Sorry this post is so late, but I've tended to check the 900 forum and not the S/V90 . Not sure why since I own a V90, but anyway I hd to replace these bulbs, if theya re the same as the toggles in the dash. They look like a tny candle with a white base.

Regardless, I found out that dealers, or at least dealr regions are free to set their own price on parts, and they can vary substantially. That's probably one reasn why Borton Volvo is so popular with the Brickboard. My dealerback in Illnois sell these bulbs for around $5 and the dealer here in Baltimore sell them for $9. I showed the dealer here the invoice and they matched it. Either way, these bubls are outrageously expensive. I did but them however, under the assumption that I won't have to replace them again.
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John Shatzer, '97 V90 @ 94K

Curious, did the bulbs from the dealer come with the plastic 1/8 turn holder or just the bare bulb with the wires hanging off.
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David Hunter

Hey! what do think, that Volvo is cheap! These little jewels come WITH the holder!! They have a slot in the base for the quarter turn. Big difference, huh? And now that I know how to access the dash lights, it seems almost easy. Anyhow, it might be worth checking around.
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John Shatzer, '97 V90 @ 94K

I was just about to post a question about those stupid switch bulbs...now I can get 'em for cheap!! THANK YOU! Oh, and I completely agree with you on the dealer part. :P

-Greg

Glad I could help, Let me know if you have any trouble with them. It is real easy though. The bulbs come out with the holder, quarter turn CC then just unwrap the wires of the old bulb pull out, insert new bulb and wrap the wires around and trim off excess wire. Easy and cheap eh!
I did not even ask the dealer about them, likely they would want to supply a whole new switch or something though.

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David Hunter

Yeah I was afraid they would try to shove a new switch in my face as well, after they tried selling me a new climate control unit since they didn't carry the stupid little bulbs! I did both my car and my dad's car within 15 minutes. Nice and easy! Thanks again!

-Greg

I need to replace a bulb in the ECC climate control unit of my '95 960. It looks like I have to remove most of the dash to get the control unit out to get at the bulbs. Is there an easier way?
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'61 122s B16, '67 122s B18, '76 245 B21F, '81 245 B23E, '90 745 B234, '95 960 B6304 (not counting parts cars)

Easy, if it is anything like my 97 V90 and think it is. You must remove that single large trim piece that surrounds and supports radio, ECC, ashtray and switches to right of steering column.
To do this:
Slide out the radio, remove ashtray, carefully pry up and backwards to pop out the cover at the shifter. This will expose 2 torx screws which hold the bottom of the large trim piece. Remove em. There are 2 metal springy things one on each side where the radio was. Spring them inwards (towards center)with a screw driver while gently pulling on the large trim piece. The bottom of it will now be free and the top will easily release as you move up towards the switches. You will have to unplug a few wires as you go such ashtray lights etc.

The ECC is then easily removed, just take out 4 torx screws

Sounds complicated but after you do it once it will take a couple of minutes the next time.

I am pretty confident you will find those same microbulbs in the ECC.
Let me know results.
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David Hunter

Thanks for the great info - both on the source for the bulbs and the ECC removal instructions. I am really pleased with the prospect of not having to buy bulb$ from Volvo.
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'61 122s B16, '67 122s B18, '76 245 B21F, '81 245 B23E, '90 745 B234, '95 960 B6304 (not counting parts cars)