Hi all

Quick question - the REC and A/C lights on my '97 850 GLT have started to flash when I first start up the car. This goes away after about 20 seconds. The manual seems to hint at something to do with the A/C unit failing (?) - but this is odd, since I'm in Toronto and, well, the A/C hasn't been on for a while. I've always left it in the AUTO position and REC has always been off. This only just started. I did some checking on the boards and there was a hint that it had to do with the computer and needing to reset it but not sure if that's the key. This happens every time I start the car now (as of the past couple of days). The evaporator was replaced back in August / Sept...

Any ideas?

Thanks

Chris.

One other question: what is the procedure for resetting the ACC ECU using the onboard diagnostics. I undrestand that this is covered in the Haynes manual, unfortunately I cannot locate on of these manuals at this time. Thanks.

I'm not sure if my story is relevent, but I had the flashing light problem for a year after I purchased my '93 850 GLT. I was ohmimg out sensors, erasing the stored fault codes, trying the automatic self adjustment on the damper motors. I was under the right side of the dash probably five or six times.

Then I remembered the previous owner had the evaporator replaced just before he sold me the car. My Haynes manual didn't provide the complete wiring schematic for the electric damper motors, but I noticed the plugs on the motors were all the same.

Guess what? The mechanic who serviced the evaporator put three plugs on the wrong three damper motors. A little trial and error and I had everything straightened out in a few minutes!

I performed the automatic self adjustment damper motor procedure, erased the fault codes -- headache gone!

Hope this helps you, or anyone else with screwy fault code problems after evaporator servicing.

- Thumbs

I have the same problem. Could you please help me locate the damper motors. I suspect that when the evaperator was changed that the wires were crossed due to the fact that I do not have any heat coming from the floor vents or the defrost vents.

Sorry about not giving you a prompt response. You were inquiring about the location of the damper motors. Frankly, I wouldn't go about this without the Haynes manual. Dismantling the glove box and getting access to the motors is pretty simple, but hey, I did it six times.

I acquired my Haynes manual at my local Advanced Auto Parts store. There is a graphic depiction of the motor locations, but the temperature damper is way down by the evaporator. Getting the plug off was agrivating but doable.

You might consider observing what happens when you press the REC switch and adjust the defrost dial. If they activate the wrong damper motor, they are no doubt connected improperly.

Hope this helps.

- Thumbs

Great idea - I'll take a look - I had always left it in the Auto or Defrost position but someone else had the car for a week and it was after that that I noticed the problem. Perhaps they tried to set the damper for a different position and that messed it up.. I'll look into it.

Thanks

Chris.

I have this same problem after fixing my damper motor shaft. I just found my Haynes manual, and it has the procedure to reset the ACC ECU. I'll try it this weekend, and if it works, I'll let you know.

Thanks.. I'll do some digging as well. I did find a few related postings where folks mentioned resetting the computer but they somehow did it with a simple restart of their car (?) and - well - that's not happening in this case...Hope it's something simple...

I had the same problem crop up. For a few days. I wondered what it meant and fiddled with my controls. It has know stopped but I can't say why. I was having trouble with condensation during that time, it has seemed to clear up, for now.....

The most common problem with the flashing LEDs are that the air temp sensors behind the driver and passenger grab handles are full of crap, causing the fans to stop spinning and sending an error code to the CC ECU. Easy fix is to suck out the crap witha vacuum cleaner. Don't suck too hard or you generate a reverse EMF voltage from the fan, back to the ECU and may cause other problems.
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Tek

Hmmm

That's an interesting thought - I'll have to take a look at that and see

If I do find something there and clear it out - does that then automatically reset the blinking lights? or would I still need to take it in to the dealer to have them reset it?

Cyclo,

Wondering if you had found the solution to this one as I have the same problem, compounded recently with no heat from the lower fan motor. Thought I'd check before I go and rip the dash out.

Cheers
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Volvo Born and Bred!