What does the service light actually mean?
I already looked up how to reset it but is there any actual significance to it?

 

Lights up every 5,000 miles to remind the owner to have the oil changed.

 

Be aware: if you have a different gauge cluster, the OBDI port won't reset the light like in the video. If your tach goes to 8000 you have the cluster with the light that CAN'T be reset through the OBDI port. Instead, you have to pop off a little rubber cover by the bottom left of the speedometer and then use a long, thin screwdriver to depress the now uncovered button to turn off the service light. I learned this the frustrating way after trying for a couple of days to reset my service light through the OBDI port with absolutely no success.

 

I guess you are referring to the Yazaki cluster.

 

l dont get it. you mean you can reset the service light without buying anything from the dealer to reset it on 96 models and above?

 

So I went to reset the light with the VDO procedures and after 4 tries still no luck and when ever I got to the part where the light was supposed to come on and stay on it would blink on once and go out. Also after this the car would not start. I figured I would stop doing that for a while and clean up my battery contacts because of the starting issue I had, https://volvoforums.com/forum/volvo-...g-issue-71464/ . After cleaning all the battery connections I went back and tried resetting the service light again and this time it all went perfect and the car started the first try. I wonder it all this is connected.

 

No, that is for the '93 to '95 clusters. I know the R's have the VDO. Just pull the bulb.

 

The light comes on to remind you that the next time you have your cluster out, you should remove the service bulb from the back of the cluster.

 

That sounds like more trouble than just reseting it. I wish I could set it to come on at three thousand instead of five then it would mean something to me.

 

why 3000? 5000 isn't much to ask of oil, especially if you're running synthetic

 

Force of habit, cheap insurance, mostly car is driven short distances so hard on the system etc.

 

This guy and his videos have been very helpful! However on my '94 nonturbo, which does not have the Yazaki dash, will not reset the service light. In addition, the service light will occassionaly flicker while driving.
Any ideas for me?

EDIT: I ran through the sequence 3 more times and the last try worked and the light is off.
Thanks!

 

+1, I'm with Phil. I think it's just easier to re-set it (in most cases) than to pull it plus the next guy might actually need, want, use it and it's missing.