NO NEED TO DO CRAZY - (I have 1995 850). First of all, try Volvoparts.com or Bortonvolvo.com? -Volvoparts has decent prices comparing to my local volvo dealer here, in New York. Second of all, try Junk yards in the area - one might have 850, and this part don't get damagedm from a crash. You CAN fix/ change it yourself: 1. pull out 3 knobs (two temp. and one in the middle)- the come out w/ some force since they have a spring inside to hop;d them tight on the shaft
2. under the knobs you will see two or three screws that hold the climate control panel - remove them.
3. pull the panel out - there is a contact for the lights which is disconnected as you pull the unit out the dashboard.
4. disconnect the cables on the positioning knob? - (I had to change the bulb so never disconnected the panel completely) - when you get it out, you will see if there is anything else to be done.
REMEMBER - YOURS IS BROKEN ALREADY, SO YOU PROBABLY CAN'T DO MUCH HARM ANYWAY -just be carefull when putting a new one and change the bulbs if you get one from a junk yard.