The Very first thing you will need to do is disconnect the battery. Make sure you have your radio code. If not get it from the Dealer.

First start on the drivers side by removeing the the little round cap in the end of the dash.It is by the door on the end of the dash. Then remove the screw under the cap and remove the cover. Then you will see another screw that goes into the body by the windsheild. Next remove the speaker cover then the speaker. Push in the center of the clip one click then remove the clip. Next remove all the Vents by carefully prying them from the side of the vent in the middle.Then remove all the screws in the top of the vent holes.And remove the 2 screws in the hole by the speedo cluster. Next move to the passenger side.Remove the speaker cover and speaker on the passenger side.There is also a screw that will need to be removed. Next you will need to remove the glovebox insert.remove all the torxes screws around the insert. Then remove the door arms.There is a little hole in the door to slide a small screwdriver into to help remove the are. Then you need to remove the 4 10mm screw that go across the top of the glove box area.They screw into the Air bag. Remove the plug for the Air bag. Then the entire top part of the dash should come off. Then you can unlatch the speedo assembly and remove it. If it is a turbo you will need to remove a vaccum hose from the back of the speedo cluster if it has a turbo guage.

The replace the bulbs and reinstall everything.

 

Hello Mr. Tech,

Greetings from freezing Chicagoland.

Thank you for the tips on how to remove the dash top cover. I actually did before I found this forum, back in July. My local dealer wanted $5 for each bulb in the cluster, so I decided to buy generic bulbs at Walmart. The original bulbs are rated at 3W, and I used 5W and the gauges became brighter & easier to read at night. I consulted my ex-professor of avionics to see if it's ok to use higher-rated bulbs, and he told me that it is ok to go with higher wattage bulbs, they only draw more current. However, I wouldn't use higher-wattage headlight bulbs, I'll stick to 50W/55W types.

There are also 2 types of clusters, one is VDO (German) and the other is Yazaki (Japanese). I don't know what the differences are, mine had VDO and in this particular case Haynes Manual was helpful. The right side of the tach and the left side of the LCD sometimes don't turn on, but if I tap lightly on the top cover they wake up.

Thanks again,


JPN

 

My odometer has frozen on my 96' 850 R. It started when I reset the odometer. Now it stays on 0 and the overall milage does not move either. Is there a repair I can do or do I need to get a used one and install?

Please advise.

Thanks in advance,

Guy

 

You can buy a gear and install it your self.
http://www.odometergears.com/subpages/volvo.html

 

Ok, thanks Tech.

How was the cruise?

 

AWESOME!!

 

Tech,
I did the job and disconnected the battery too but somehow the SRS light is on now. Any way I can turn it off?

Thanks, Guy

 

You will have to find someone with a scanner that can read SRS codes and have them clear it.

 

ok, thanks

 

Dayam.. sounds complicated just to replace some blubs in the dash. My clock LCD screen is blown out. I'm debating if i really need to know what time it is in the dark.

 

I want to know if anyone has taken and posted pix to go with these instructions...

 

Sorry no.

 

is this frowned upon due to liability reasons on this forum? Since no one has, I usually try to do write ups w/pix such as when i had my 02 Acura TLS http://www.cardomain.com/ride/164157

 

No it isn't.
I haven't had time to take pics when taking it apart.
I have to take mine apart on my car soon I will try to take pics and put them up.

 

Thanks Tech! Every bit helps. I wish you had time to go over my AC thread and give me suggestions though...

 

The instructions are the same as the ones for changing the odometer gear. Those are available on volvospeed, iirc.

 

i was thinking if someone could help me here!
since i bought my 95 850 turbo the lights on the instrument penal wouldnt come out,
all warning lights are working though,
here is the list of lights which i've never seen on:
-instrument penal lights (except warning lights) can't see how fast im going at night
-LCD clock
-light around ciggaret lighter
lights working:
-window swiches
-winter time swich
-radio LCD screen(another lights on radio wouldn't come out)
i've checked all bulbs, all are good!
but, i've had them oncouple of times when i've turned my key onto start my car and theyworked for 5 seconds and then no lights again!
what do you guys think could be wrong with them?

 

tech,

on a scale of 1 to 10 how hard would you rate removing all that stuff? i need to change the bulds on mine.

thanks.

 

What stuff? Just the dash pad or everything on the previous guy's list?

It's honestly incredibly simple. It's just the removal of screws.

 

totally agree with you not difficult at all!
just got done working on it, i had that problem with instrument panel lights!