In my parents' '96 850, the recycle and a/c buttons flash seventeen times before turning off.

Knowing that this indicates codes are being stored in the panel, I had a look at VADIS to see how one could read the codes. As far as I can see (from VADIS), the way to read the codes are from the back OBDI style diagnostic system.

Is this the best/only way to read the codes? Will the dealer scan tool also read the codes, or will they just pull the panel to read the codes?

Thanks, and I hope that your Tuesday evening is most brilliant!

Cheers

When the blinking lights of death appear, all is not lost. It is just no longer automatic. Move the fan to get AC/heat, and move the vent controls to where you want them.

Often times, just sucking out the cabin temp sensors, one on each side of the car, will free up the fans and turn the light off for a while.

A code scanner will be of no use. A Volvo scanner is required to get the codes.

Klaus
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Always willing to listen, just not able to take direction.

Thank you, Klaus, for the help! :)

I will take the "grab handles" off, pull back the headliner, and clean up the cabin temp sensors.

Next time I have the 850 at the dealer, I will have the codes scanned.

Just get some canned air and blow into the hole. Don't stick the tube in more than a quarter inch. There's a fragil thermostat mounted back inside the opening.

Please excuse my ignorance, but into which hole am I supposed to blow the compressed air?

Thanks! :)

In the 96, I made a jumper to the obd plug with an old OBDI box. I don't remember where I found the proceedure. Anybody remember??? But, before you go to a lot of trouble, my best bet would be that the interior temp sensors are plugged and the little fan is not turning. This will throw a code in the ECC. The temp sensors are located on each side behind the grab handles above the front drivers door and passenger front door. Remove the grab handle, CAREFULLY pull the headliner back and you will see the plug. The fan is held in with one screw...I think torx 25. Pull it out and chances are, it is full of lint and dust. Carefully clean it with tweezers and maybe a Q-tip but be careful not to damage the sensor(the little bulb in the center) Cleaning them fixes most of the problems.

Thank you, trailer trash, for the assistance! :)

I will have a look at the sensors, and see what I can find.

I hope that everyone is having a most splendid Tuesday evening! :)