hello

the dealership told me there was a problem with the 02 sensor and it would cost 1500 in parts alone. i just want to sell the car, but in order to do so it has to pass smog. i took it to smog and its emissions are all fine, but it fails because.... the engine light is on
i dont want to put a lot of money in the car, but it seems bizarre that it runs fine, checks out fine, but cant be sold because of a light
any advice?

 

The only way to erase the light would be to replace the o2 sensors. However......there is only 1 thing you could do which would be to remove the bulb behind the CEL. but the problem w/ that is that it's very very very unethical.

Your cheapest solution would probably be to fix it yourself...
Or.....Call around some independant mechanics around the area for quotes.

 

Greetings from Yokohama, Japan.

>it would cost 1500 in parts
Baloney. The worst case scenario, even with the OEM sensors, is $500 or so for parts and that is if your 850 is of turbo (turbo has 2 O2 sensors, NA (non-turbo) has only one sensor). FCP Groton of Connecticut sells OEM (Bosch) sensors, check their web at the following URL:

http://www.fcpgroton.com/volvo850oxygensensors.htm

Forget the rapership, find another dealer or a shop that specialises in Swedish/European makes. If latter, insist on installing the OEM (Bosch) sensors should you decide to fix the car, and ask them to see if they accept parts from customers.

If your 850 is of '93-'95, you can manually erase (reset) CEL by yourself, refer to the following URL:

http://volvospeed.com/Repair/a2.html


In case if CEL was triggered by the transmission (The dealer said it was triggered by the O2 sensor but you did not see their scanner):

http://volvospeed.com/Repair/a1.html

Even if it was triggered by the O2 sensor (s), try resetting the code and then sell the car if you must. Sometimes it takes a while for CEL to come back on again, if it was triggered by the O2 sensor.

I hope this helps.


JPN