No dash lights!!!? 1996 855. Turbo

Post by **RobTheModd** » 19 Jan 2010, 20:58

IM POSTING THIS FOR A FRIEND

ok so for the last few days my dash lights have been acting up...turning on then turning off then turning back on etc etc etc. i figured the cold was just messing with some relay or a bad contact...

well last night i think whatever was wrong finally went....they turned on for about 4-5 sec's then slowly faded off. now...if i shut the lights off and back on i see them flash and go off...but whats funny is if i leave the lights off and wait a few sec they come on for longer before fading off. i checked the fuses and everything looks good. i dont think its the switch because if i turn the lights on dim or bright it makes no difference they still fad off.

now everything in the dash still works...a/c, speedo, tach, etc etc etc so its not affecting anything on the car itself other than not nowing how fast im going on dark roads....but i had a 2nd issue when this happened......

suddenly the car popped up CEL. now i havent gotten it checked but anyone know if something like this would throw a CEL? maybe an electrical short?

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 19 Jan 2010, 21:11

Try adjusting the dimmer switch to a different position. They are notorious for growing a dead spot if they get left in the same position.

...Lee

Post by **matthew1** » 19 Jan 2010, 22:23

Battery? Alternator?

Post by **RobTheModd** » 20 Jan 2010, 05:15

TurboBrick wrote:dimmer switch has no affect. but just in case it is i think rob has an extra right? if not ill pull one this weekend.

He tried it, Hes going to pick one up this weekend since my awesome array of random volvo parts, seems to be lacking in the dimmer switch department...

Ill let him know you guys say this! This means good things because...
well... you guys rock!

btw, http://www.cfleuro.net/forums/showthrea ... #post54601
Idk if it will let you in because you have to be a member, but yeah thats the link. lol. Local euro car club.

Post by **jblackburn** » 20 Jan 2010, 06:01

If the dimmer switch isn't the culprit, it sounds like it could be a bad relay to me. Actually, it sounds more like a dead capacitor on a board somewhere, but I'm not sure that there are any in the way of the lights there. Hmm, schematics...I'll get back to you.

Post by **RobTheModd** » 20 Jan 2010, 09:07

jablackburn wrote:If the dimmer switch isn't the culprit, it sounds like it could be a bad relay to me. Actually, it sounds more like a dead capacitor on a board somewhere, but I'm not sure that there are any in the way of the lights there. Hmm, schematics...I'll get back to you.

Thanks!!!

I think im running to the JY this weekend. so ill grab him like 8 dimmers wire harnesses, and just what ever i can just in case. haha!

Post by **jblackburn** » 20 Jan 2010, 11:27

Well, hrmph. I spent a few minutes looking through the wiring diagrams, but it doesn't look like they show anything down to the level of individual circuit components (which would be pretty crazy for anyone to understand, anyway).

So, I have another question then...do the other interior lights (climate control, radio) fade out along with the dash ones, or is it just the gauges?

If yes, I suppose it could be a failing relay.

If not, it could be something in the circuitry of the dash panel itself that has gone bad. I've never had mine out myself, but I'd imagine there are several resistors/capacitors around there. I like fiddling with electrical things like that, but I'd say in that case, it may be easier to just get a new cluster from a junkyard.

z31jaime · Post by **z31jaime** » 20 Jan 2010, 11:58

rob thanks for posting this for me, i was @ work and couldn't get to a computer. thanks for the suggestions guys....

ok so hear is the deal...when i got the car about a year ago the a/c unit lights would go dead on 1 side...if the smacked the dash it would turn em back on. i replaced the a/c control unit and had the same issue, i replace the bulbs and still had the same issue. and after a while it just stopped coming back on all together. so now the entire dash started doing the same...guages, switches, a/c, lights down @ the shifter. the only things not affected are the window switches and my radio (aftermarket no illumaniation option for dash so its not on the same circuit) and oddly enought my warning lights (cel, break, service, etc etc etc they all light up fine). i'd hit a bump or dip in the road and lights would cut on or off hit another bump and bam back on. but after about a week....totally dead.

no dead spot in the switch, because the lights stay dead no matter how bright i set the switch to....not the alternator because my sub and amp are working just fine so im not having lack of power issues. to me it seem to be like a bad relay, i just have no clue where to start looking. Rob will tell you im no slouch when it comes to the volvo game but electrical issues are not my thing.

oh and i love your boards glad to be a new member!

Post by **RobTheModd** » 20 Jan 2010, 13:12

WOOT!!! Welcome to the MVS community! youll quickly see why I love it here!

Hey matt do I get something special for bringing someone? JK

Anyways, It seems like you might have a loose component or something.
Id say take the top dash panel off just like we did at the jy.. *with a little less ripping* and see if anything is loose.

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 20 Jan 2010, 16:28

The dimmer on these cars is more than just a rheostat.
It's a little tiny variable power supply. I'm not sure if it's
using a regulator, an FET or what, but if it's affecting all of
your dimmable lights, then it's more than likely your culprit.