WTF? The odometer stopped working in the Volvo a while back, did some searching on the net for causes and fixes, turns out it is a regular problem once the miles get up there. I found a couple of videos, including one from this site but they were both for older 850's, mine is a 1997 and a couple of fasteners are located in different spots and the glove box insert does not "just pop out"! lmao

There is a tiny plastic gear in the odometer/trip meter unit that loses some teeth and jams up, the fix is to remove glove box insert, disarm airbag system, remove speaker covers and speakers, remove air vents, remove dash pad, remove gauge cluster, remove odometer/trip meter, replace broken gear and reassemble, simple right............NOT.....

Dash pad was a PITA to not only find all the fasteners but to get to them and remove them without busting up all the plastic covers and clips etc..........and then taking the gauge cluster apart, could they make any smaller friggin screws??...

At least I got a deal on a complete gauge cluster from the wrecker, $20...... local Volvo parts guys wanted $50+ just for the plastic gear, that was IF they could locate one. I took the gauge cluster apart and removed the gear that was in good shape and installed it in my unit, while I was there I replaced a couple of dash light bulbs that were out and removed the Service Engine bulb that was always on and I have an almost complete spare gauge cluster, "just in case"...lol

So all this time and work for a stupid plastic gear the size of a pea......

Before anybody asks, "Why even fix it?" I do regular services of my vehicles and like to know the mileage for oil changes and other regular service items...plus the trip meter is handy at times... ;-)

 

There are plenty of them on eBay..New Volvo 850 Main Odometer Gear Fits 1993 Through 1997 | eBay

I would never put a used one ... they will break eventually also..

 

I don't use fleabay....... $8.95 plus $14.95 shipping??? Add exchange rate plus taxes and brokerage fees at the border, sometimes, depends on how they feel that day.....

I got the entire cluster for $20 and the gear is fine, not brittle and no teeth missing, secret is to not push the trip meter reset when the vehicle is moving........that will even wear out a "new" one.....

 

I push the reset all the time while driving. Lol

I did the job for a lady yesterday. Good thing about her car is that it is a '95 and I was able to get the actual mileage and correct the odometer (it was only 3k off).

 

The problem with these gears is that the plastic softener goes away over the ears making them fragile. It only takes a little "push" (for example reseting the trip computer while the car is moving) and the tooth snaps.

I posted the eBay link in the assumption you were from the US...

 

Mine failed a few days ago too.

I've taken it apart to see which cog I need, and I need the big cog one, it is just mush inside the cluster.

I'm gonna replace both to be sure.

 

The one I had apart yesterday is having issues with lights, temp gauge intermittent and who knows what else.