We recently bought a 1996 850. It came without an owner's manual.
It needs gas.
We would appreciate directions on where to find whatever it takes to unlock the flap that covers access to the gas cap!
With many thanks
Mike and Judy Wilkin

Mike,

I won't repeat what everyone else has said.

I do have an electronic version of the 850 owners manual which I can e-mail to you if you like. There are 10 sections (so it's probably best if I mailed them to you in 10 separate e-mails) and they'll need to be unzipped using Winzip. Once unzipped they can be viewed in PDF format with Adobe Acrobat Reader.

If you would like me to e-mail you the 850 owners manual then forward me your e-mail address and I'll happily oblige.

Andy

Mike, LOL, you garnered yourself a lot of attention. It appears many have experienced your frustration.


Don't be intimidated by the trunk access... It is a simple procedure with outlined photos and instructions here


http://volvospeed.com/Repair/mgasrelease.htm

Good Luck, and welcome!
--
1995 850T Wagon 101k
1998 V70 GLT Wagon 85k

Just an FYI: You can order the "glove box" documentation set from
Volvo at:

http://www.volvotechinfo.com/

This will get you everything that came in the glove box (manual,
warranty card, etc) when the car was new.

Just in case eBay doesn't have it.

The gas cover only unlatches when the UNLOCK-ALL function is activated.

If you open just the driver's door, you will not activate the UNLOCK-ALL functionality.

If you double-unlock the driver's door, or unlock using the dashboard switch, you will then be invoking the UNLOCK-ALL functionality.

The gas door locks when you lock the car doors. If the gas door is still locked after you unlock the door, the latch for the gas door may be stuck or the motor may be broken. Anyways, you will have to go to the trunk and remove the felt trunk liner on the right side and pull the metal rod, this will unlock the door. If the motor works, you may want to lubricate the lock and see if it works.

I'm sure that explains it.
Thank you for going to the trouble to get us out of trouble..

Note that if the car is locked, the Door will also lock as a security measure. I found this out by stopping at a gas station, locking the car and going in to use the restroom, before coming back out and not being able to get in the gas door.

I believe the other suggestion here works with a Sedan, but don't know about the Wagon (which do you have?)

BTW, you can usually find used Owner's Manuals on eBay fairly cheap.
--
1995 850T Wagon 101k
1998 V70 GLT Wagon 85k

Its the sedan. I think the locking mechanism for the flap access is jammed in a locked position and so will need to be stripped out from the trunk.
Thank you for your suggestion of eBay for the manual!
We appreciate your going to the trouble to reply!

Mine had me baffled when I first bought it. The power door locks not only lock the doors and trunk, but also the fuel door. Press the unlock button on the dash to unlock all of the doors...including that tricky fuel door.

Now that sounds a good idea - ahead of stripping out the lining of the trunk!
Thank you for taking the time to reply!

go into the trunk.

pull back the interior wall from the tail light forward.

behind this is a pull rod--pull it straight back and the lid will pop open.

I see what you mean...
When daylight arrives, will start stripping it out.
Thank you for going to the trouble to reply!
Yours
Mike Wilkin