Hi guys, I'm not so new to the forums but I've been away for quite some time. I just purchased a 1997 volvo 850R and I'm loving every second of it. However, whenever I'm driving it I notice an intermittent rumbling/vibration (about every 3 seconds) coming from the front drivers wheel area (I think) and I was wondering if it could be the wheel bearings... Not sure if a ball joint/tie rod would be the issue either.

Also, the TRAC OFF and ABS lights are on all the time and never go off, any ideas on what that could be? Finally the Service light goes on when I start up the car, and then goes off about 5 minutes after, any suggestions on that would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks a lot for your advice, this is sure to save me a tonne of money (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) !

The intermittent rumbling is possibly your ABS wheel sensors acting up. Do a search in this forum, i've posted pictures on what they look like and where they're located in the wheel-well area.

If they're dirty, all you need to do is just to clean them up good.

In anycase, you'll still need to read the codes for the TRACS and ABS lights. Hopefully its nothing more expensive than just a cleaning of the sensors.

As for the Service light, its just a reminder for your engine to have an oil change. "SERVICE" get it? Together with the filter change, etc. If you have the OBD1 system, then you can reset the light yourself. If OBD2 system, then you need to use the scantool or the reader to reset the light out.

Cheers.

With the ABS & Tracs lights it could be that your ABS module is bad. BBA and others remanufacture. Easy off and on fix if you have an E5 torx socket. Take it off, send it off to be remanufactured, get it back, reinstall. Presto, you're done.

Or...if you're good with soldering,you can do it yourself.After that you need some silicone to seal it up and you're done.
Or just take it to any electrician to resolder it for you.
I did!
Here's the picture of unsealed abs/tracs module(solders that usually go bad are circled red):

Alright, I'll try taking a look at those options. By the way, where could I buy a OBDII reader/scanner? I found the port for it the other day and it'd be nice to be able to get one so I can figure the exact issues for the future. Also, is the OBDII port only for braking information?

ObdII port is for reading ALL of truoble codes in your vehicle...from engine to a/c.

Where can I locate the ABS sensors to give them a good cleaning? I took off my wheel the other day at my girlfriends place, and the only thing I really saw that looked sensorish was a red electrical plug that was really secured to the brake caliper (I think). Where do I have to look to find it, and what does it look like?

Thanks guys (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

With the front wheel removed and the vehicle safely on jack stands, stick your head in and look straight down over the top of the brake rotor, you'll see it on the steering knuckle. It's got electrical wires going to it which you just simply disconnect at the plug. It's bolted down, you'll need a ratchet, a short extension and a 10mm socket [if I remember right] to remove. When removed it kinda looks like an AA battery, only a bit larger. It's probably real dirty but will clean up like new. You should also clean the ABS sensor ring [toothed ring that the sensor reads]. The rears I just sprayed with brake cleaner without removing since you can see them easily right at the ring.

I have no idea if that's your problem but it's simple and worth a try. You should take a look at your wheel bearings while you've got the wheels off.

Alright, I'll give that a shot. What would my wheel bearing look like, where are they located?

Sorry but I'm becoming very leery of explaining procedures to those not mechanically inclined as it's time consuming and potentially dangerous for a novice. My advice is to grab a Haynes manual for your Volvo and read up. If you need help from there, ask.

Yea, I have one of those, I'll take a look at it! Thanks for the help though (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

well said, beach.

ya gotta grab it up by the bootstraps! get it there and get your nails dirty!

As long as it's not taken the wrong way, I wasn't trying to be mean. It does no one any good to have information they don't know how to apply. Working on some systems should be left to the professionals if the knowledge/skill isn't there. That's not a bad thing, I'm not a Doctor so I don't want to know how to perform brain surgery. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/banana.gif)

+1 to beach. and for volvo boy, you can get a scanner reader from amazon. get the scanner, it can erase the codes once you have taken care of them. they run from 100 dollars u.s. up to 400+.

I'll check out amazon thanks for that. I bought my jackstands the other day, and I'm going to jack it up and see if I can figure these issues out myself (with the help of Haynes (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) ) I also need to get a new catalytic converter +flex pipe...$$$!!!

I remember that I have uploaded photos of the ABS sensors, into the forum. Search for it to have an idea.

Cheers.