1995 850 turbo OBD II or I
 

Is the 1995 850 turbo OBD II or I

It is actually both. You can read OBDII inside with a scanner or under the hood through the box.

scanner
 

Is the innova 3100 a good scanner for $95

I am using laptop with VOL-FCR.

Never heard of that one. I use this one on my cars and it also reads S80 and all newer cars as well.
I use it on my laptop.
http://www.scantool.net/scan-tools/elmscan-iso-usb.html

i like the actron ones personaly.
http://www.amazon.com/Actron-CP9180-...9881169&sr=1-1

or

http://www.amazon.com/Actron-CP9175-...9881169&sr=1-3

I have actron tool too. It is handy.

The reason I use laptop is that I can use specific software for certain models.

Is there a way of figuring out whether my 95 850 GLE is obd or obd II? From my quick google look, it seems scan tools are pretty generic now since OBD II was standardized? I just remember seeing different scan tools for different car brands (GM, Ford etc) in the past. Will one scan tool work for all newer cars now?

Obd
 

I bought a Cen-Tech OBD II for my 94 850 turbo. It cost me 42 bucks..

1996 and newer American cars are required by law to have a uniform diagnostic connector. They are all the same shape and any OBDII scanner can plug into any 96' and newer vehicle.

Volvo is one of very few companies that used OBDII before 1996. There are reports of people with 1993's having both OBDI under the hood and the OBDII inside the car.

A nice feature on the more expensive Actron is that it also gives you the common recommended repair for the code.

how can I tell? VIN YV1LS5716S2263078

Are you asking if your VIN is for a 1995 850 Turbo? - Yes. Are you asking if your car has an OBD1 reader? Yes

Look under the hood and on the left side forward of the #1 cylinder by the washer filler and radiator shroud you will see a break out box with a jumper wire on the side. Check out volvotips.com for instructions on how to read fault codes, reset the service light etc. Basically you use the jumper to connect to the desired port (different ones are used for CEL vs ABS etc), turn the key to position 2 then use the button in a timed sequence and count LED flashes (ie have a pencil and pad ready).

Volvo 850 Turbo tests diagnostic codes service manual

Note the break out box also connects to a OBD port next to the shifter under the rubber plug that looks like a coin holder. I never bothered to use that as its designed for a specific pre-OBD2 volvo tester. Never tried it with an OBD2 reader as the LED set up is really easy to use.