If you own a 1996 Volvo 850 and are looking to diagnose engine issues or understand your car’s health, locating the OBD2 connector is your first step. This guide will walk you through finding the OBD2 port in your 1996 Volvo 850 and explain what you can expect when using it, especially considering its slightly unique implementation compared to fully OBD2 compliant vehicles.
Understanding OBD2 and the 1996 Volvo 850
The On-Board Diagnostics II (OBD2) system became a standard in the automotive industry in the mid-1990s. It was designed to provide mechanics and car owners with a standardized way to access vehicle diagnostic information, primarily for emissions-related issues. However, the adoption of OBD2 wasn’t always uniform across all manufacturers and models in the initial years.
The 1996 Volvo 850 is a transitional model year when it comes to OBD2. While it does feature the 16-pin Diagnostic Link Connector (DLC) that resembles the standard OBD2 port, its functionality is not entirely the same as later, fully compliant OBD2 vehicles. This is a crucial point to understand when you’re trying to connect a generic OBD2 scanner to your 850.
Locating the OBD2 Connector in Your 1996 Volvo 850
The OBD2 connector in a 1996 Volvo 850 is typically located inside the cabin. You’ll find it in the center console area, in front of the gear selector lever, often under the ashtray or a small coin tray.
To access it:
- Locate the center console: Look at the area surrounding your gear shift.
- Find the coin tray or ashtray: In many 850 models, the OBD2 port is hidden beneath a removable coin tray or ashtray.
- Remove the tray/ashtray: Carefully lift out the coin tray or ashtray.
- Identify the 16-pin connector: You should now see a 16-pin trapezoidal connector. This is your OBD2 port.
While the port looks like a standard OBD2 connector, it’s important to note that the 1996 Volvo 850 uses a hybrid system that is not fully OBD2 compliant in the way modern cars are.
The 1996 Volvo 850 OBD2 Pinout and System Specifics
The standard OBD2 system uses pin 7 for communication with the engine control unit (ECU). However, on the 1996 Volvo 850, the pinout is different and system-specific. According to technical discussions and Volvo documentation, the pin assignments are as follows:
- Pin 1: EZK Ignition Control (for 20V naturally aspirated engines)
- Pin 3: Fenix 5.2 (10V naturally aspirated) or Motronic 4.3 (Turbocharged) Engine Management System
- Pin 6: ECC (Electronic Climate Control)
- Pin 7: Motronic 4.4 (20V naturally aspirated), ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), SRS (Supplemental Restraint System – Airbags), Instrument Cluster, Power Seats (using OBD2 protocols but not for engine ECU on Motronic 4.3)
- Pin 13: Cruise Control
- Pin 5: Ground
- Pin 16: +12V Power
This pinout reveals a critical point: the engine management system (Motronic 4.3 for turbo models, Fenix 5.2 for some others) is located on Pin 3, not the standard Pin 7 used by generic OBD2 readers. Pin 7 on the 1996 Volvo 850 OBD2 port is connected to other systems like ABS, SRS, and instrument cluster, which might use OBD2 protocols, but not the engine ECU if you have Motronic 4.3.
Can You Use a Standard OBD2 Scanner on a 1996 Volvo 850?
You might be able to connect a generic OBD2 scanner, like an ELM327 based reader, to the OBD2 port of your 1996 Volvo 850. Some users have reported that the scanner can establish a connection and even report “no codes found.” However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that your engine ECU is being properly interrogated.
Here’s why standard OBD2 scanners might have limited functionality with the 1996 Volvo 850:
- Non-standard Pinout for Engine ECU: As mentioned, the engine ECU (Motronic 4.3) is on Pin 3, while standard OBD2 scanners communicate through Pin 7. A generic scanner looking for the engine ECU on Pin 7 will likely not find it.
- OBD2 Protocols May Not Be Fully Implemented for Engine ECU: Even if you could connect to the correct pin, the engine ECU protocol used in the 1996 850 might not be fully compliant with standard OBD2 protocols that generic scanners expect. The systems on Pin 7 (ABS, SRS etc.) might be closer to OBD2 standards, leading to potential communication there, but not with the engine ECU on Pin 3.
Therefore, relying on a generic OBD2 scanner to diagnose engine-related issues on a 1996 Volvo 850 might be unreliable or provide incomplete information. It might connect and communicate with systems on Pin 7, but likely not with the engine management system on Pin 3.
Alternative Diagnostic Methods for 1996 Volvo 850 Engine ECU
If a standard OBD2 scanner is not ideal for reading engine fault codes on your 1996 Volvo 850, what are the alternatives?
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Blink Code Reader: The 1996 Volvo 850 is equipped with a blink code system. You can access fault codes by using a simple LED blink code reader or even manually “dipping into the pins” as some owners describe. This involves connecting a simple circuit with an LED to specific pins on the diagnostic port and reading fault codes based on the blinking patterns of the LED.
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Volvo Specific Diagnostic Tools: Tools designed specifically for Volvo vehicles, such as older Volvo testers or software like Volvo VIDA (Vehicle Information and Diagnostics for Aftersales), are more likely to correctly communicate with the engine ECU of a 1996 850. These tools are designed to understand Volvo’s specific protocols and pin configurations.
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Modified VAG-COM Cables: Some enthusiasts have reported success using modified VAG-COM (VAG KKL) cables, originally designed for Volkswagen Audi Group vehicles, along with specific software like BrickDiag, to read codes from older Volvo ECUs. This often involves some technical know-how and potential modifications to the cable wiring.
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Professional Mechanics with Older Diagnostic Equipment: A mechanic specializing in older European cars or Volvos might have diagnostic equipment capable of reading codes from the 1996 Volvo 850’s engine ECU, even if it’s not through standard OBD2 protocols on Pin 7.
Conclusion
While the 1996 Volvo 850 does have an OBD2 style connector, diagnosing its engine ECU is not as straightforward as with fully OBD2 compliant cars. The engine management system (Motronic 4.3) is wired to Pin 3, not the standard Pin 7, and might not fully support standard OBD2 protocols.
For reliable engine diagnostics on a 1996 Volvo 850, consider using blink code readers, Volvo-specific tools, or consulting with a mechanic who has experience with older Volvo models. Understanding the specific OBD2 implementation in your 1996 Volvo 850 will save you time and frustration when trying to read fault codes and maintain your vehicle.
