I'm looking at a 95 850 turbo, 9xxxx miles. The service light flashes constantly. The owner says he has had it reset many times and it keeps flashing. Normal operation is a steady light, am I right? I have been reading here and everyone seems to agree that this light is a nuisance and nothing more. No one has said anything about a flashing one though. What would cause this, is there some hidden meaning to it? Besides that, the odometer doesn't work and the A/C has problems. He is having that checked out before we begin negotiating. He is asking $3900.

 

Have you read the buyer's guide in the 850 DIY sticky? You should NEVER purchase a 850 without reading those tips.

Other than that, the last 850 I looked at to purchase had the odo stuck at 112,000. Turns out it had over 224,000 when I checked the OBD-I port. The AC problem is likely an evaporator problem, not worth fixing but good for negotiating. It's a $1,200 repair.

As for the flashing light, you should check the owners manual.
https://www.customers.volvocars.com/...0/95850_1.html

 

I have read the DIY sticky. I have been reading here for weeks. I'm not afraid to tackle any of the problems with this car. I'm pretty sure the A/C problem is the evap., the owner has been adding refrigerant for a couple years. Not worried about odo, he is original owner and has many records and receipts. I believe his mileage calculations but will check OBD, once I figure it out. But the flashing service light? Every reference I find only says "on" never anything about flashing or what am I missing? Does it normally flash or should it be steady?

 

Should be steady. Sounds like a nice car. How much refrigerant does he add monthly?

 

Well, he sold it to the guy giving an estimate on the A/C, after I asked him to have it leak checked. O well there will be others but damn, I was impressed with the way that one ran.