Well, I'm actively searching for another 850 in the 0-1500 dollar range. I'd prefer another '96 -'97 wagon due to the parts compatibility and OBD2. Should I look at '94 and '95's too? Too bad you are not in the Portland, OR area! I've got an 95' 850 (sorry, sedan) that I'm trying to fight the elect...

I saw the great write up on the replacement b+ on the S70 but for the life of me I can't figure out how to get to it on the 850. I need to do a load test on it and see if it needs replacement. Attached is a picture of as far as I got. I can pull up the housing (white-ish colored part) but it stops p...

Ok, I'm following up on this... Replacing the ignition switch solved the hot key issue. I still have the no-start issue but I'll work on that in my other thread. I just wanted to put some closure on this so anyone searching for a "hot key" would see the switch replacement solved the problem.

You've got two posts for the same issue... But - after reading through this one: Have you checked your Ground Cables? If the positives are good, the battery and starter are good, that would be something to consider. Yeah, I realized after the fact the two posts were a bad idea. After feeling how ho...

Is this what I'm looking for:

http://www.fcpgroton.com/product-exec/product_id/9394/nm/Volvo_850_Ignition_Switch_1993_1997_Genuine_Volvo_/category_id/199

Is there a way to test it to make sure it's what needs to be replaced?

all i'm doing is cable to starter and wonder if I can get at it from below or do I need to pull fan? I just pulled my starter (not the cable) and it seems like your job would be much easier from the top. I have small hands and could do it without pulling the fan but in the future removing the fan w...

"I also did a test to see if there was a minor draw somewhere in the system and the at rest pull was ~30 mA (drops to 20 mA when the radio fuse is pulled) so I don't seem to have a short somewhere. Oddly however if the battery is left in the car and attached it will be dead in a few hours. Str...

I've been troubleshooting a starting problem and I'm slowly knocking down the issues (most recent was the overnight battery drain was caused by the glove box light) but I still can't start. This is on a 1995 non-turbo 850. The car tries to turn over but immediately drains the battery when trying to ...

Ok, an update on this. I realized I was doing to voltage drop test incorrectly. I cleaned up the terminals and checked the wire then managed to jump the car to get it running. I turned everything I could on (lights, heat, defroster, etc) then checked the b+ voltage drop at both the starter and alter...

It means that your cable has a voltage drop of 6.3 volts. It is huge and rob the starter of his operating voltage. I understand that when you say "on" it is when you activate your starter. Consequently you have a resistive contact somewhere on this cable. It could be the contact at the st...