Hello,

This is for my 95 Volvo 850 sedan base. It failed the state safety inspection because the SRS light does NOT turn on when starting the car and the OBDII reader shows no communication to SRS system. (This car has both the jump box under the hood and the OBEII connector below the coin holder.) The mechanic shop where I get the inspection done does not work on Volvo, so I went to another shop for European cars. The mechanic told me he can't read anything out for the SRS with his computer and suggested me to sending the car to the dealer.

Before I went to the second shop, I had used the jump box under the hood to read the codes. It reports some and error codes and I removed them. Then it reports the normal 1-1-1. However, this doesn't fix the problem.

Except for letting the dealer work on it, is there anything I can do by myself? If I replace the SRS module by a used one, will it fix the problem? Is there an instruction about how to replace it?

This car is old but still runs well. I've owned it for more than 10 years and it never gave me a big issue. I just put on two new tires and replaced the upper engine mount bushing by myself. It will be a pity for me to give it up for this problem. Many thanks for any suggestions.

 

Start by going to Volvotips.com on how to use the diagnostics box. You should find which port to jumper into to view and clear SRS codes. OBD2 scanners won't work on the 95 but the LED / button set up works fine. Just follow the instructions closely and have a pencil and paper handy when you are counting flashes.

If your SRS light is not coming on with the Key position 2 bulb check, you may need to check/replace the bulb in the instrument cluster. To do this, you need to remove the screws holding down driver's side of the dash cover then prop up which should allow you to access or remove the cluster. There's a screw on the end by the door jamb, one inside the side air vent then a few along the bottom of the pad - I've been able to remove a cluster by removing the screws over to about the glove box. Try googling for instructions or Youtube vids for repairing the odometer gear in an 850 - that will show you exactly how to access/remove the cluster for replacing the bulbs (which simply screw into the back ).

 

Thanks for your reply.

The SRS light does not turn on with the key in position 2. The light is always off. I have used the diagnostic box to clean the code before I went to the European car mechanic shop. Now the code reads 1-1-1, but the light is still off and no communication through OBDII. I've almost convinced the SRS module is wrong because of no reading from OBDII. But according to your post, is it normal that the OBDII scanner doesn't work for a 95 although the car has the OBDII connector? I'll check the light bulb first.

 

I removed the instrument cluster and I'm surprised to find there's NO BULB there! Another thing I found is the clip of the instrument cluster has not been put on. That explains why it always shake when the car's running. Not sure whether the SRS bulb is shaken off. I put the wind shield washer light to the SRS position and it works as expected. I think the problem is solved now. I just need to find a bulb with socket to put on.