How to Read & Reset Volvo 850 ABS/SRS/Service Light

I wish dealerships extended the courtesy of turning off proprietary service and fault code reminders on older vehicles. Most dealers will still charge good money to turn off the unavoidable service reminder in a '97 850. Isn't that a bit greedy? With a little bit of software prowess you can read and reset these codes in the comfort of your garage using a program called VOL-FCR. A slew of other chassis modules are accessible with this software as well, and I think that's just fun. Tweaking an old Volvo with a laptop is akin to playing Oregon Trail on an Apple II for me - It felt like the 90's again. 

Compatible Vehicles: 

• 850 '96+
• S/C/V70 '98
• 900/S/V90 '96+

Some Codes Stick

I intentionally unplugged my 1996 Volvo 850's ABS pump to trigger an ABS code for the purpose of this blog. As can be expected, this illuminated the ABS and TRACS lights when the vehicle was driven and a code was stored. More than likely this code would have reset itself if I plugged the pump back in and drove the car. Volvo's ABS is nice like that. On the other hand, SRS Airbag codes don't go away on their own - they stick. The SRS issue must be fixed and only then will the system allow the light to be turned off. Nobody wants to go to the dealer and pay a half hour of labor just because the airbag came unplugged during a blower motor replacement. Here's where even the oldest WinXP laptop becomes infinitely useful again.

In order to interface with the vehicle from your laptop, a USB to OBDII cable is required. I picked up a VAG-COM cable from somewhere in China for around $11 shipped, and it took a month to get here. But, it was eleven bucks and works, so I'm happy. Getting the cable to interface with my laptop involved some COM port trickery that took up the greater part of my night, but there are plenty of articles online that can help with getting the cable setup. From what I gather, the cable should be set to COM1 with a baud rate of less than 9600. The cables usually come with drivers on a CD as well, so that helps a bit. Ilexa offers a demo version of VOL-FCR to ensure you can use the software before purchasing it, and I highly recommend trying it before purchasing the software. Get the cable set up, install the demo, and see if it interfaces with your Volvo. £115.00 is a small price to pay (It has been pointed out that this product cannot be purchased in the US, or perhaps at all anymore. However there may still be ways to acquire it.) for unlimited computer diagnostics and reset abilities for an unlimited amount of old Volvos. I've got four in the family - this laptop gets around.

Electrical Explorations

There's so much that can be done with this program, I often wish my cars had more problems so I could diagnose them and have an excuse to use this program more. This program does nearly everything - ABS, SRS, Transmission, Check Engine Light, Power Seat (??) faults, and more.

Resetting my blog-induced ABS code was super easy.

1. Turn the ignition to the "On" position
2. Plug the VAG-COM cable into the car and laptop
3. Open VOL-FCR
4. Click "800 Series"
5. Click "A B S"
6. Click "Start Comms"
7. When communication is established, click "Read DTC"

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All relevant issues with the selected module should be displayed in the window now. Once the issue is repaired, click "Clear DTC" and it will be wiped from the vehicle. Turn off the ignition, remove the cable, then go for a drive.

The beauty of this software is that it returns Volvo-specific DTCs (Diagnostic trouble codes) rather than universal OBDII codes like "P0442." The Volvo codes can be very helpful in diagnosing an issue (Google it!) if VOL-FCR's description isn't clear enough. There are obviously a few things that VOL-FCR can't do, but they aren't common necessities. Reading actual mileage out of the cluster and changing speedometer calibration are just a few things only those lucky enough to own a Volvo VST can perform. My advice? Befriend a Volvo technician.

VOL-FCR has made owning these older Volvos much less of a headache for me, since I need to be able to work on every system. SRS repairs are not fun if you can't even finish the job yourself. If you're the type that absolutely hates having to rely on a shop for anything, this program is definitely for you.

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About the Author: Alex Fiehl

Alex is FCP's Blog Editor and a Desktop Engineer from Endwell, NY. He has over 9 years of experience working on a wide array of import makes, but has found his home with European cars. With a Volkswagen and Volvo at home, the garage is always busy.

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Written by :

Alex Fiehl