'96 850 wagon - No cabin fan

On my '96 850 wagon, 5spd, the cabin fans no longer run.

When I turn on the climate control (heater, defroster, etc) the re-circ
and A/C light just flash.

I have the computerized climate system. The manual says is that the
flashing lights indicate a fault and I need to take it to a technician.

The local Volvo shop can't look at it for while. Any thoughts,
suggestions?

Right before I started having this problem I did notice that the fans
sounded louder than usual.

 

This indicates a code is stored. Often this is caused by the heater fan
motor seizing up. The climate computer monitors the current the motor
needs, and if it gets too high (indicating a failing motor), the motor
is shut off and the lights flash. Of course, you should have the codes
read to make 100% sure, but the fact that the fan was louder than normal
makes me think a new fan motor should cure your problem.

--
Mike F.
Thornhill (near Toronto), Ont.

Replace tt with t (twice!) and remove parentheses to email me directly.
(But I check the newsgroup more often than this email address.)

 

Of course, you should have the codes read to make 100% sure, but the fact

I'm not sure on a '96, but you can read the codes for the climate control on
the '95 by putting the test lead into the #1 socket on module B (the one to
the right). The fault codes are given on page 3-10 of the Haynes Repair
Manual. You might also find them at Volvespeed.com.

John
Irvine, CA

 

Apparently '96 was the first year that you could NOT do this. Starting
with the '96 models you have to have the special equipment to get to the
error codes.

 

I suspected it was something like this. Any idea how much this should
cost? Just so I know before the mechanic gives me a quote.

Thanks for all the help!

 

That makes sense. 1996 was the first year OBD-II was required in the US so
it became pretty common, and the spec didn't call for the owner/operator to
be able to read the codes.

Mike

 

For reading codes on '96> see

http://www.volvoclub.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=5232&highlight=early