Hello,
New 850 owner here, and first post. I just picked up a 1996 850 Turbo Sedan last week, driven by a little old lady to church on Sundays as they say with about 80,000 miles (odometer broke last year with 75K). The sellers and I share the same mechanic and he has been taking care of the car for them for many years so I believe the mileage is correct. Anyway, one of my first projects was replacing the odometer gear and when I removed the dash pad found it is broken in several places and the air bag cover is coming un-glued and bending up, which seems to be a common problem. So I am on the hunt for a replacement black dash pad which looks like it is going to be a difficult process. In the meantime, I would like to take the car to the shop for an alignment and tires, and possibly some paint work to the hood, roof and trunk where the clear coat has failed.
So, while I search for a new dash pad, can I drive this thing? My main concern will be that the car won't see the passenger air bag and I don't know what codes that will do and if they can be cleared.
Lastly, is there a good dash pad source out there? And if I attempt to repair my existing one can I remove the airbag and re-install it without issue?

 

you'd need an appropriate code reader to clear the SRS code. 96 is the first year Volvo went to OBD2 so youi'd need a reader or tech shop that can work with the ISO-9141 protocol and can view/reset SRS codes. Check with a dealer or volvo friendly shop as well if they'd do a simple reset for you without a diagnostic fee. Just remember to disconnect the battery prior to disconnecting the airbag.

 

Can't clear the codes if the air bag is still disconnected! Yes, you can drive it.

 

In the end, I just waited until I put everything back together. Removing that dash pad was a very discouraging experience. Everything I touched broke. and nothing went back together right. I'd love to get the whole dash apart and re-secured to the firewall, but I don't think any of it would be left to put back together when I was done. This was something I definitely did not factor in when I bought the car. But, she's mine now! I guess one of those aftermarket dash pad covers is in my future...
The car played a prank on me as well. The odometer did not work for at least 10 miles, just enough for me to get really mad, and then poof, just started working! I swear the car is sizing me up - probably trying to figure out my pain threshold.