850 GLT (1995)... another repair visit - no heater/AC

suzinthecity · Post by **suzinthecity** » 16 Nov 2009, 20:37

Hi Everyone,
I am new to the forum and thrilled to find such a site! I purchased my first Volvo (sorta my first car) in September. I only drive occasionally, so I purchased a used 95 850 GLT. It appeared to be in mint condition, and looks absolutely gorgeous. It only had 2 previous owners - first person kept it for 10 years, second for 5. All the maintenance records are there, etc.
My problem is, that having purchased it only 3 months ago, there seems to be a lot wrong with it in a short time. When I bought it, it needed new spark plugs and an ignition coil. Now, it needs an alignment (which I understand is not that unusual for cars to need after a while). But the last time I drove it, the front defrost came on (very high) and I couldn't turn it off. I turned the car off and restarted, and it stopped. Now I realize that it stopped and I can't turn it on. The heat won't work, the AC won't work, and the AC and REC buttons don't light up anymore. Does that make sense?

One other thing to consider is that sometimes my dash lights won't come on. I have to turn the headlights on and off to get the buttons to light up again - otherwise I can't see my speed, my gears, or the gas. Everything goes dark. I suspect that's just a loose wire, but I am getting scared I bought a lemon.

I really want to love this car!

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 16 Nov 2009, 21:08

The first thing that we need to determine is what type of climate control unit you have. Is it the electronic version or the manual version. They look almost identical but the electronic version has the temperature settings in degrees whereas the manual version is marked with graduated width red bars. The ECC also has "Auto" settings and the manual version does not.

Your interior light problem is likely a dead spot on the interior light dimmer (common problem, relatively cheap part on eBay, easy fix). It is the little slider above your headlight switch and the rear fog lamp switch, try sliding it back and forth a few times to clean the crud off and then find a place where the lights reliably work.

...Lee

suzinthecity · Post by **suzinthecity** » 17 Nov 2009, 08:03

Hi Lee,
Thanks for your help. It is electronic, I can choose the temperature for the driver and passenger. I have my car in the shop today, and they are supposed to call me with an estimate, but I am trying to prepare myself. The mechanic said the price would depend on where the box/unit was located. The harder to get to, the more costly to fix, I would imagine.

Thanks for your help.

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 17 Nov 2009, 12:27

suzinthecity wrote:Hi Lee,
Thanks for your help. It is electronic, I can choose the temperature for the driver and passenger. I have my car in the shop today, and they are supposed to call me with an estimate, but I am trying to prepare myself. The mechanic said the price would depend on where the box/unit was located. The harder to get to, the more costly to fix, I would imagine.

Thanks for your help.

That does NOT sound like the mechanic you want...
This should be a slam dunk for the right shop. Find a Volvo guy!