First post - hello all!

So my first car ever was a 1998 S90 w/ 200k+ miles. That died at the hands of my 17-year-old self, and I moved to a 2002 S40 which ended up making it to 100k+ miles before I decided to go German. So for the past 7 years, I've been driving a 2006 Audi A3 3.2 Quattro... but a week or so ago, the damn DSG transmission went out, and the repair bill just wasn't worth it for me. Plus I wanted a new car, something cheaper on insurance and cheaper to fix. And I've always had a soft spot for the 850. I got attached to my Volvos, never so much with the Audi or any German cars I've driven.

So say hello to my 1995 850 GLT. Purple, 5-speed, 77k miles, winter package, two-owner (father sold it to the son a few years ago, same family), full service records all the way back to 1995. Damn thing was actually ordered in Sweden by its original owner and shipped over here. I've never seen somebody so detailed about his car in the service records - he would complain about the most minor creaks and annoyances and have them investigated. Runs perfectly, even has newer tires, a new timing belt, and a new clutch. Was listed for $3,400, I paid $3k.

All images here: 95 Volvo 850 GLT 5-spd - Imgur




So besides saying hello, I also wondered if you guys could give some direction about the best ways to go about fixing the few things wrong with it. I have no mechanical/technical knowledge, just FYI.

• Disengaging the parking brake doesn't seem to work - feels like brake is grabbing on rear driver's side, pops free after about 5mph. As a result I just leave it in 1st while parked (we have no hills here in Chicago!)
• Electric driver's seat moves forward/back and up/down well, but the recline is stuck in a not-so-comfy position: can you manually adjust somehow?
• Service light comes on sometimes, then goes off after about 3 minutes (the CEL in my Audi was on 24/7, haha)
• Sunroof closes slowly, like it's straining quite hard

I spent an entire evening detailing it: wash, clay-bar, wax, vacuum, leather care, etc. Body has its share of scratches and age, but no rust at all, and the clearcoat actually shines well for being 18 years old! And I'm in love with the color, too. Right now the driver's seat thing is the only real bother... wondering if there's an easy way to get inside it and crank it up from such a reclined position manually?

To come: probably will end up doing suspension (nothing too drastic, just an inch or so, car floats around more than I'm used to), nicer OEM Volvo 16" or 17" wheels (any recommendations?), and maybe CAI/exhaust down the line (any recommendations?).

Thanks for looking!

Cheers

 

The service light is abritrary. It comes on a a certain amount of miles (I THINK 5000m, but I may very well be wrong about that) and will stay on for the first few minutes of driving. An OBD II reader will not reset it, you must take it to a dealership. Many folks just remove the bulb from the dash.

Funny, I have had the same thing with the parking brake. Not sure what is up with it.

 

Welcome!

I like the color! And 850s, too I like those also!

 

About the seat: google for volvo 850 seat repair.

The backrest ist driven by a motor (naturally ) which transmits the power through a flexible axle. The axle "pops" out either from the motor or the other end, and the power is no longer transmitted.
You need to take off the leather from the backrest and refit the axle.

Found it https://volvoforums.com/forum/volvo-...-repair-16364/

Vol - Fcr Software will reset the service light you need a VAG KKL USB Interface. Make sure it has an FTDI 23xx chip .
Cristian

 

What is the approximate cost for this software? What site is safe to buy it from?

Thanks!

 

What???

Here are the reset procedures:

- Lead into A7
- switch ignition on
- 4x press
- wait for the light the go on
- 1x press
- wait for the light the go on
- 5x press
- wait for the light the go on
- 1x press

 

Yep my bad did not notice it's an 95 model which has the blink box.
Afaik the free version of Vol-Fcr will clear the service light for models from 96 up to 98.
VOL-FCR Diagnostic tool in the ilexa web shop
It's pretty pricey...