I know I may be asking alot questions but, I really need some help!
I have a 96 volvo 850 non turbo. The speedomoter and odometer is not working
and the abs light is on. Also the tracs light is on. When I push the tracs switch it will not turn off. Could the switch be bad. I took it in to the shop to get the speedomoter looked at and the mechanic told me he was not getting any codes from the obd. He said the speedomoter got its info from the abs, is this true. He said he could not fix it because he did not have the equipment to diagnos the abs system.
Thanks
Dennis

All the ABS control units (Installed on 96 and newer 850, 70 series and S80 models) will eventually fail after they reach 65,000 miles or 5 years. The average is 85,000 miles and/or 6 years for failures.
The erratic ABS light and/or no trouble codes is an indication of a defective ABS unit.
A dealer will charge from $60.0 to $120.00 to diagnose the problem and about 95% of the cases the mechanic will recommend to replace the ABS control unit.

Unless your mechanic has the VADIS or a high end OBDII reader, he will not be able to read the ABS codes from the ABS unit.

The missing speedometer signal is a symptom of the late stages of a defective ABS unit. The speedometer is restored after the unit is repaired.

A note regarding the ignition switch. The ignition switch in 1996 models has been known for causing the ABS light to turn ON. Only about 10% of the cars that have the ABS light ON is due to a defective ignition switch.
To find out if your car has a defective switch do this. Turn the engine ON, while the engine is running wiggle the ignition key and see if the ABS light is effected.
In 1996 there is also another issue. There was a recall for a wiring crimp under the relay panel. Find out if your car was repaired. This is a very unlikely source of your problem though.

Here's more information on this issue and a replacement alternative.
Vitor's Volvo ABS website
Click on the ABS / TRACS Repair link.

Guys:

I had very similar symptoms in my '96 850 - read about Victor on this board, and popped my ABS unit down to him. It came back to me on-time as quoted, for exactly what he had quoted. Fixed the problem. Victor was also kind enough to respond to related technical questions. So my advice is:

1) Listen to what he has to say! ;~) and
2) Use his rebuild service if the symptoms call for it.

A Very Satisfied Customer, Larry F.

Hopefully, after your abs control module is repaired or replaced your speedometer and odometer will work again. Nevertheless, you might have the same problem I had last year with my 96 850---bad abs control module and a broken odometer gear at the same time. In that case, you will have to look at odometergears.com.

Dan

speedo unit gets its sppedsignal from the ABS module thru the front ABS sensors.

Since the ABS module is bad, no speedo. Fix the module and you cure the speedo problem.
--
'88 240, '92 745, '98 v70 John, Tampa Bay

Im not sure the abs module is out, How would I know?

Thanks!
Dennis

CHECK the fuse #29, I think this is the one for the ABS.

--
Ken

ABS/TRACS lights on = bad module

Same thing happenened to my '98 V70.
--
'88 240, '92 745, '98 v70 John, Tampa Bay

I checked the # 14 fuse and all of the other abs fuses and that was no it.
Does the car get the speed from the abs system and could it be a wheel sensor?

Thanks
Dennis

The speedometer and ABS/TRACS units are conected to the same fuse. Check fuse number 14 on your car. That fuse controls power to both units. If the fuse is good you might want to try a Volvo authorized shop to diagnose the problem. If the ABS control module is bad (common on 850's) then contact Vic Rocha about rebuilding the unit.

http://home.earthlink.net/~vicrocha/Volvo_Parts/Volvo_V70_ABS.htm

He can rebuild for less than $150 +S&H. Dealer will want many times that for repair. Quick turn around and should be a permanent repair.


Good luck.

Oliver

64 122S
66 1800S
86 245DL
96 GLT

Ignition switch.