Well, I've decided to keep my old ('96 850 wagon, ~ 350K miles) brick a while longer, and would like to know how to change out my instrument bulbs without taking the entire dashboard out. Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Bernie

IRC in my 850/94 I had access to some of the pulbs thorough driver's loudspeaker/ventilation panel without removing the whole dashboard.
br Tapsa

On my 1998, I just lifted the left side of the dash without problems. On my 1996, the black plastic broke next to the windshield - probably from age - so I suggest lifting the dash up and out. It is only a few extra screws and unplugging the passenger air bag, but it does make the job easier for reinstallation.

There are a few online sites that show you how to do this. Don't forget to pull the service light! And replace the bulbs for the time temp display as well.
--
My back feels better when I sit in a Volvo seat

Allow me to spend some more of your time and money- Do a speedo gear replacement while you have the cluster out. My 96 855T just failed after about 200K; it is only a matter of time for yours.
--
The Family Fleet '90 745 16v; '90 745 GLE; 96 855T; 99 XC, collectively approaching 900,000mi and going strong.

Thank to all for your comments. Currently tackling another issue (fuel leaking from my fuel filter, probably rusted and way over-due). Should have time to look at instrument lights this weekend. Don't want to mess with odometer gear right now (it died at 311k miles).

Bernie

Hi Bernie,

Soak the gas filter fittings in Marvel Mystery Oil before going at em.
Watch out you don't get a gasoline shower.

I agree with Klaus, do the gear, it's an easy job, most of the work getting the cluster out. Or Plan B tell the insurance you want the low mileage discount,
0 miles per year, they can check anytime they want. Except Google will tell them
how many miles based on Gas or timing belt purchases, or by RFID chips implanted
in your money?

:-)

Bill

Hi Bill - what's the Marvel Mystery Oil for?

Thanks,

Bernie

Hi Bernie,

The fittings might be cruddy with rust.
Good old Mystery Oil to the rescue.

It's a tried and true penetrating oil.
It also unstuck some rings in a Toyota engine that sat a long time and became a wicked oil guzzler until a day or so soak of 1 Tsp per cylinder.
I most recently used Mystery oil to annoint a 60 year old 1-1/4" steam valve
in a radiator here that needed convincing to come out without the sawzall.
A combination of heat, Genuine Marvel Myster oil, Propane, Mapp Gas, and a pipe
wrench with a three foot handle did the trick.

Not to be confused with other stuff.

WD40 is a wonderful solvent for Grease and oil paint, but ain't in the same league as a real, genuine, Authentic, Honest McCoy, Marvel, Made in USA, penetrating oil. :-)
PB spray reminds me of WD40, but maybe it's better since it has many loyal fans.

Bill

Bill - this could be a gift from HEAVEN - my daughter's '02 Corolla (88K miles) has been "burning" a quart of oil/500 miles for about a year now (since we bought it used from a Toyota dealer). Where do I find this magic oil ?!?

Bernie

Huh?

Marvel Mystery Oil is sold by the most elite auto supply emporiums:
Auto Zone, Pep Boys, Advance Auto, Walmart, Probably at Walgreenn's drug store.
and perhaps your supermarket in one of those tiny overpriced cans.

BB

Update re. fuel filter replacement: Job done, car back on the road. Thank god for cable ties (as the strap and bolt holding the filter disintegrated during dis-assembly). What's up with these not-so-quick-connect fittings? Is there a trick to these?

Thanks,

Bernie

Bernie,

Most any autoparts store should have it, and you might find it at a Walmart or K-mart. I think it has been around since the 1920s or 30s.

Charley

Same as penetrating oil. BTW, clean out the torx screw, it will be filled with dirt and grime and make it hard to fit the torx driver properly.

Make sure the arrow on the new filter points forward!!
--
My back feels better when I sit in a Volvo seat

With a good google search, you should be able to find a new odo gear for $10. It only takes a few extra minutes to replace.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Volvo-850-Main-Odometer-Gear-fits-1993-through-1997-/111433744474?_trksid=p2054897.l4275#ht_589wt_662

Suggestion for dash removal:
http://volvo850wagon.wordpress.com/2012/02/19/odometer-and-instrument-lights/

--
My back feels better when I sit in a Volvo seat

Personally, pulling the dash out is. Less likely to result in cracked plastic parts by the window and pulling the whole thing out makes the job less frustrating. B sure to disconnect the battery and reconnect the air bag plug before u turn the power back on

WWW.STARTPAGE.COM (search) for pulling the Volvo 850 instrument cluster.
There's a nice writeup with photos.

The deal is that you have to raise the dash enough from the left side to get clearance to pull the instrument cluster. It looks more daunting than it is.
The dash just gets raised and not fully removed.

Keep your instrument lights set low since up high they burn out fast.
The right LEDs might be better than filament bulbs.
(Check www.dx.com for auto lighting, I know they have some of the replacements)

Bill