Hello group

I have a question that to some may sound crazy. I'm looking for a way to tell the difference between 95, 96 & 97 850's, just by looking at them. Is there any difference in trim, wheels or anything.

Thanks for the help. I've learned a great deal from this board.

Shadowy1- the few ways I can tell the difference is by trim desigination. If an 850 says Turbo just above the right bumper its probably 95-96; 97s say GLT or T5; T5-R are 94-95. Also by interior trim, like type of radio.

I have a 1994 that say Turbo just above the right bumper.

One thing I really like about the exterior of 94T is the

detailing, (Trim, etc.) It brings out the characteristics of the car.

the differences that you could actually notice from the outside are limited to the 95/6 and the 97 GLT models. the 97 GLTs are the light pressure turbo engines (95/6 GLTs are n/a engines) and as such feature the turbo exhaust systems which terminate in a rectangular opening. the n/a exhaust systems end with a circular tip. so if you see a GLT with the rectangular tip, it's a 97. other than that, i don't know of an obvious way to differentiate between the years...(from the exterior).

"93 850's have a differnt style headlight. Their regular beams and high beams are in one bulb as opposed to separate in '94 and later 850's. Also the '93 has only 4 lugs on the wheels.

Hello again Shadowy1,

One additional obvious addition to the '97 850 glt. Climate Control.

Kirk

Hello Shadowy1,

I currently drive a '97 850 glt which is what replaced my '95 after totaling it last December. The obvious differences are in the design of the interior. The '97-center console design is smaller, leather seats seem to be a slightly different , one touch moon roof button, power lock switch. These are some of the things that jumped out at me when I was searching for a replacement for my '95 850 glt. One thing the '95 has that the '97 does not is auto door locks after exceeding ~10 mph. Thats unless mines just not working. I have not questioned anyone, its just something I noticed. I am sure thier are many other less obviuos mods. that I am unaware of. But, heres a start.

Good Luck

Kirk

> One thing

> the '95 has that the '97 does not is auto door locks after exceeding

> ~10 mph.

Never heard of that one. I have a 95 GLT and the doors don't automatically lock. Wonder if that's something that can be turned on/off through the diagnostic port. If the doors are supposed to lock themselves on the '95 but not on later models that would explain adding the power lock switch.

Hello,

I am reasonbly sure the doors did lock on my '95 GLT after exceeding a certain speed. I never questioned it. But, I remember hearing the sound of doors locking often as I drove off from an initial restart. The car is long gone now and I have splept several times since its departure. Anyone else out their notice this option on any 850 model? It was something was mentally comparing as I was test driving the '97 GLT I currently own.

Kirk

Kirk,

As pete pointed out, 850 factory alarm didn't have anything to lock the doors automatically after certain speed. It must be an aftermarket alarm system. I know that Dodge Caravan has this feature.

Ching-Ho Cheng

Is it possible your '95 GLT had an aftermarket alarm? Some aftermarket alarms automatically lock the doors when put in drive.

> I am reasonbly sure the doors did lock on my '95 GLT after exceeding

> a certain speed. I never questioned it. But, I remember hearing the

> sound of doors locking often as I drove off from an initial restart.

If you remember a noise rather than the doors being locked, the ABS on a 95 does a diagnostic self-test at just under 20MPH. It sounds kinda like the doors locking. If the ABS on a '97 does a self-test you can't hear it, or at least it's not as noticeable. (I have a 95 and a 97).

Terry

Hello Terry,

Perhaps that's all it was, since I really did not question it.

Kirk

That is an interesting note. I remember reading (owner's manual I think) to not lock doors while driving, to facilitate rescue in case of an accident. I remembered this because it's contrary to Honda's recommendation that doors be locked so as to remain closed during an accident.

Matt- I recall reading in MAnual that if the doors are locked and you get into an accident and the air bag(s) pop, the doors will auto UNLOCK; not aware of advising to not lock doors.

Billy: Volvo does recommend not locking doors:

WARNING! The doors should not be locked while driving. In case of an accident, this may hinder rapid access to the occupants...

850 Owners manual page 3:3

For US models, you can tell a 95 from a 96/97 by looking at the switches on the dash to the left of the steering wheel. The 96 and 97 models had a dash mounted power door lock switch, labeled LOCK. The 95's do not have this. The windows will also have a manufacture date printed on them, but this is somewhat ambiguous, because there are lots of 96's made in 95, and 97's made in 96, etc. Other than these, I don't know of anything.

Dave H.

93 854GLT (easy to spot), 96 855