A-ha! I have figured it out! All those who have similar problems, gather around! I shall now guide you to the path of en-light-enment. ("Light” Get it?)

Things to have on hand:
1: Radio code for your SC-816.
2: Numerous bulbs with Volvo Part Number 945484-8 @ $9.56 each. The ECC takes four of these bulbs. The two on the right on mine were dark.
3: A bit of patience for the trim pieces.

Steps to total En-light-enment:

1. Disconnect negative terminal to main battery.
2. Remove cover at bottom of Center Armrest Storage Bin with small, flat-bladed screwdriver.
3. Remove the two T25 Torx screws revealed by step 2.
4. Remove Center Armrest Storage Bin by pulling upwards and a bit of wiggling side-to-side. You do this so you can see the position of the light on the rear end of the center console. It may come dislodged. Ask me why I’m telling you this.
5. Remove the Emergency Brake Handle Cover by pulling it up.
6. Remove the large trim piece under the steering wheel by removing the two T25 Torx screws at the top center. Also disconnect the light from this piece. The piece may be difficult to remove due to its position under the outboard trim. *PITA Alert*
7. Also remove the large trim piece under the glove box by removing the one T25 Torx screw. Taking the small cover at top center off reveals the screw. Just push the cover upwards to remove. And again, disconnect the light.
8. Remove the two T25 Torx screws at the forward end of the center console that were revealed by steps 6 & 7.
9. Remove the ashtray.
10. Remove the Shift Lever Knob by pushing in on the shifter button and pulling upwards.
11. Remove the trim surrounding the Shift Lever by lifting the back end first. Also remove the E-S-W switch assembly by pushing it up from the bottom. Disconnect the electrical connector for the switch assembly.
12. Remove the Shifter trim piece paying attention to the small, square black piece with tabs, that is on the chrome shifter lever. Also watch for the lack of slack in the green wire.
13. Move the center console towards the rear of the car slightly. Not much room is needed for what comes next.
14. Remove the two T25 Torx screws that were revealed by the removal of the ashtray.
15. Remove the SC-816 radio by pushing in on the two small rails on the left and right of the radio. The rails pop out, and then pull them out to full extension (it’s about double what they pop out) and pull the radio out by those rails. Take note of the connectors and disconnect.
16. The two clips that were revealed by removing the radio are a bit tricky. You must put a small flat tip screwdriver in one of them while applying SLIGHT pressure outwards on the bottom of the trim. (Like you were trying to remove the center trim piece) The clip must be pulled inwards (towards the other clip) until the trim pops past the outer lip. While keeping pressure applied undo the other clip. The trim should now be free up to the bottom of the ECC. Be careful of it though. Don’t want to crack it.
17. Put your hand through the radio compartment, and behind the rocker switches to the right of the steering wheel, and push the trim out with switches installed. You may choose to remove the switches to give yourself more workspace. Just take a small (1/8”) flat blade screwdriver and carefully pry the switches out. Now is a good time to replace those burned out rocker switch bulbs with Volvo Part Number 9140890-6 @ $8.09 each.
18. The trim may be stuck over the right hand side of the ECC. Take a flat blade screwdriver and carefully pry the trim up.
19. The ECC is now revealed. Remove the four Torx screws and take out the ECC.
20. Take note of the connectors and disconnect them from the ECC.
21. Take the ECC to the bench for the next step.

Okay, I admit, that is all I have so far. My bulbs are on order. I should have them by next week. I don’t expect the ECC to be that tricky to open and replace the bulbs. I plan on having pictures soon.


Reassembly:

1. Reconnect the ECC electrical connectors.
2. Reinstall the ECC and tighten the four screws.
3. Reinstall center trim piece by first pushing at the upper right hand corner of the ECC, then the switch area, then down by the radio.
4. Reconnect the electrical connectors and reinstall the SC-816 radio.
5. Put the center console back in position.
6. Reinstall the E-S-W switch assembly (and connector) and the replace the trim over the Shifter lever paying attention to the black square thing. (I’m still not sure how mine goes)
7. Reinstall the Shifter by pressing in the shifter button and pushing it down on the shaft. It will click into place.
8. Reinstall the two T25 Torx screws at the forward end of the center console.
9. Reinstall the Emergency Brake Cover.
10. Reinstall the Center Armrest Storage Bin paying attention that the light at the rear is in the proper position.
11. Reinstall the two T25 Torx screws in the Center Armrest Storage Bin. Reinstall the cover.
12. Reinstall the large trim piece under the Glove Box. Remembering to reconnect the light assembly.
13. Reinstall the large trim piece under the Steering Wheel. Remembering to reconnect the light assembly.
14. Reconnect the negative battery terminal and put in the radio code.
15. Relax and have a cold drink. You earned it.


DISCLAIMER: I hope that I wrote down the Volvo Part Numbers correctly. You may want to ask your parts man to look up the numbers again. Until I post again with my receipt I cannot 100% confirm these numbers. Please be careful with your trim. I would hate for someone to break it. No deposit. No return.

Comments? Questions? Critques? As you can tell, I'm somewhat of an anal mechanic. But, hey, I work on helicopters all day. Pilots like that I'm this way. ;-)

Thanks,

-Chris
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88 245 DL (185k miles) | 98 S90 (75k miles) | 98 V70 AWD (86k miles)