I have a 1996 Volvo 850 Turbo and the information center on the dash that tells temperature and mileage and everything is no longer illuminated. I went to my Volvo dealer and he said the bulb to replace it was only $3 or $4 but to get to it, he had to go in from the top of the dash, and he would charge $130! If I do have to go in through the top of the dash, does anyone have instructions on how to do that?

The light on the gear shift between the seats that illuminates the Park, Reverse, Neutral, etc is out as well. Is this a difficult one to replace?

Thanks,
Jonathan Perkins

I checked the haynes manual last night. the procedure is to remove the two screws holding the ash tray in place, then remove the ash tray, don't forget to disconnect the light assembly, then remove the two screws that are located where the cigarette lighter is, its the one infront of the lighter and in that small storage location to the right of the lighter. Pull this assembly (lighter trim piece) out, don't forget to disconnect the lighter wiring, and then remove the two screws that are holding the bracket for the centre console. Then remove the plastic piece where the hand brake is. then remove the two screws in the storage box, the screws are under the access panel in the box. the console should come out and the bulb that is for the gear selector should be visible and can be removed and a new bulb inserted. its pretty easy but does take several different sizes of torx head screwdrivers to do. i lived without a light there for years. Ken

to address your second question cause i haven't removed my dash to replace that light for the computer yet, its still working. i have replaced the gear shift light and its easy, remove the screws that hold the center console by the ash tray, i think two in the little holder below the ashtray and two once you remove the ashtray, and there are two in the 'cassette' storage area, and pull the plastic piece out of the emergency brake area. the console will come out, and you can access the light bulb from there. the bulb cost me $10 from the dealer but i see them for $6 or so from the website. it takes about 30 minutes. its detailed in the haynes manual if you have one. ken.

hi jonathan.
save the 130$ and diy.
like mrsha said, its on bay13. i just did mine (again) last weekend. just take out the vents and about 6-8 t-25 torx screws. it'll be easier to have someone hold the dash up while you try and get the display out. btw, do not forget to disconnect and reconnect the vacuum tube to the boost guage. like i said this is my second time so what i did was to change ALL the bulbs with new ones.
regards

Go to www.volvospeed.com and click in under Maintain..

and look for Dash face remove Something like that have all detail and picture for you step by step easy as hell...


do it on the weekend when you have time with a nice cool beer...


have fun...