I've read through all of the posts on seat belt woes on this forum, but none seemed to help. I'm a senior citizen who uses a young mechanic who's trying to help, but doesn't know much. I had a fender-bender that only broke my left headlight & pushed in the bumper a TINY bit, but it set off both air bags. Although I love my '94 850, it has almost 200k miles & the dealer told me that it has 3 computer modules that need to be replaced ($4500). I decided not to replace the modules, but I don't want to recycle the car if I don't have to. It drives fine & I don't notice anything not working because of the modules, so I think that it has a few more miles in it. I love this 'ole car. However, the driver's seat belt is sprung or something so that it won't retract. I'd like to not replace the air bags and just get a replacement seat belt. If I go to the internet or a junkyard to get the belt, are the belts the same for all 850 years? Are they the same for other Volvo models? I asked the dealer this question, but (of course) he didn't know. I need your wisdom, please.

 

The 94-97 850's should all be the same.
Try to find a junk yard seat belt and install it. You might also be able to find used good air bags and install them and be fine.

When I first got my yellow one both air bags and seat belts were bad.I replaced those only and my SRS is back to working normally.

You do not always have to replace the module after an accident.

 

Salvage yards should have the airbags and module pretty cheap. After a crash that sets off the airbags, you need to change the front seat belts, the 2 bags, and the airbag controller under the console. None of these are particularly hard to do. Body shops, however, have to change every part of the airbag system for liability reasons. But usually the clock spring and any auxiliary sensors are okay. The module usually has an un- eraseable crash code stored in it, and on some cars (not sure about Volvo 850s) the module is permanently self- disabled after it has triggered the airbags and seat belt tensioners.