31 replies to this topic

[VOLVO850SB]

Are you handy? If you are then you'd be way ahead as you'd be able to look after your car and save a bundle. Read up Bay13, read the codes, reset and see if any comes back after a short drive. That would definitley clear up the questions for the PNP, knock sensors, speed sensors, and oxygen sensors. Or at least buy you some time if the error codes for those items doesn't reappear. I'm guessing the speed sensor is the ABS sensor so if the ABS light is on, the ABS won't work. The code, when you read it, will indicate which sensor is the problem. Maybe it just needs cleaning, which you can do.

If you're not handy, at least knowing how to read the codes, what they mean, will help protect you when you visit a mechanic. Only fix what needs fixing.

From your list, it looks like you'll need to fix the radiator first and get the transmission flushed. If you can, read the codes, reset, go for a short drive and post back here for us any codes that return. We'll help you figure it out. What wires need replacing?
For example, here's a pinned post on repairing the odometer.

I am not handy at all, but my husband is, so he'll be the one to fix the car up. If I get the radiator from the FCPGROTON website (it's a Nissen radiator, not a genuine Volvo part), and have it installed, would that be okay. Or would you pay the $725 to have it replaced by a Volvo dealership tech? Can't my husband do it himself?

[the underlørd]

I am not handy at all, but my husband is, so he'll be the one to fix the car up. If I get the radiator from the FCPGROTON website (it's a Nissen radiator, not a genuine Volvo part), and have it installed, would that be okay. Or would you pay the $725 to have it replaced by a Volvo dealership tech? Can't my husband do it himself?

I don't know your husband, but, Yes. Yes he can it's not hard.

[Plan_B]

you are the king of bold posting.


and honestly, the people on this site are relative do it your selfers, they've come to the right place... why ya gotta try to scare 'em? you own a indi shop or something?

it's a RADIATOR... get a haynes manual, and go to town..
did you just say that?

[erikv11]

I am not handy at all, but my husband is, so he'll be the one to fix the car up. If I get the radiator from the FCPGROTON website (it's a Nissen radiator, not a genuine Volvo part), and have it installed, would that be okay. Or would you pay the $725 to have it replaced by a Volvo dealership tech? Can't my husband do it himself?

Nissen is a quality radiator and the brand that most here use for replacement on these 100k+ 850s, unless they are racing types and want an all aluminum radiator or something. (EDIT) Nissen is not the OEM (Volvo) radiator, but it is probaly fine to install it; check the recent thread here that has information on Nissens vs. OEM radiators.

If you search this forum for radiator replacement you'll find hundreds of links like this one, read a few and you (or your husband if he's doing the job) will be good to go. There is a posted step-by-step for 850 turbo, radiator replacement at Bay13, it is linked in that thread above. Look at it and you can decide if this job is too hard for you. Haynes shop manual ($13) is very useful, will save its cost on almost any first job.

Radiator appears to be not that hard (haven't done it myself) and the other repairs on that list of yours, are all even easier if they end up needing to be done.

your '94 is not such an old car if you maintain it, it will drive a long time.

Edited by erikv11, 07 March 2006 - 06:53 PM.

[Che'_Moderator]

[b]The car was obviously engineered to be hard to work on on purpose thats why everybody comes here looking for answers to find out how to fix problems.

Everyone knows when engneering a system you should keep it as complex as you can. WTF

For the radiator after-markte nissan is fine. Installation is about as hard as installing something like a sprinkler system. If you can follow instructions your fine. O2s are very easy. Un-screw unplug, screw in plug in, done. You can buy both front and rear o2s at autozone. Get the terminated ones. Figure 130ish for the front, I would replace it before the rear. PNP and Knock you will have to order. They are both a pain but not hard. Just go one piece at a time and its not that bad. Welcome to the site

[javadoc]

Really, a radiator swap-out is not overly difficult. I'd give it a 2.5 wrenches on a 5 wrench scale, and there are no special tools needed really. It'd probably take an afternoon if you've never done something like that before, but I'd do it in the morning, in case you bugger something up, then you can run to the parts store for that hose or clamp that you need.

Nothing on these cars is really that complex, and when you get into it you can generally see the good logic in the designs.


If you can change an axle-shaft or the brakes on these cars, a radiator's not beyond your grasp.

[ToxicLemonade]

seriously, i would find the leak and hit it with some JBweld if you cannot afford it. I have the money to fix the problems wtih my car, but i have had friends who Jbwelded their radiators and they held fine. might save you a good bit of money to get her rolling, than later down the road you can do it the "right" way. just a suggestion.

[the underlørd]

you win the prize dude...

let's get this back on topic..

[Milo]

You are in luck because you have a 1994 which can use the OBDII but you can find all the codes on the OBDI panel without needing an OBDII reader.