850 couple of electrical problems

malum · Post by **malum** » 06 Jun 2005, 08:28

Have just bought a 1997 850 AWD estate

Getting the headlights on is entertaining

I need to turn the switch on then put full beam on then turn the switch off then on again.
Once they are on they stay on including when the switch is in the off position, until such a time when they decide not to be on when I start the car.

Reversing lights don't work (the bulbs and fuse are fine)

ABS light (and therefore TRACS) light comes on sometimes and then stays on until next time the ignition is turned off and then on, very rarely it will turn itself off again whilst driving.

Are these problems related do you think?

It's going into Volvo for a cam belt next week and they will be having a look, just wanted some ideas to narrow it down and reduce their labour charge.

Cheers

Nick

lxt · Post by **lxt** » 06 Jun 2005, 15:18

I think if someone can narrow down the problem it'd probably be the Volvo tech themselves. It won't help much trying to "pre" narrow down for them, since: 1. it may not be correct, and 2. they'll do their own thing anyway (if their knowledge tells them differently). Just let them do the job and maybe try to learn a thing or two so that you can do it yourself next time. That would save you labor cost.[/b]

Post by **matthew1** » 06 Jun 2005, 15:42

Are these problems related do you think?

No. ABS/TRACS is often dirty wheelspeed sensors or your ABS module is going bad. I get the same light, but not nearly as often as you.

Headlights -- I'd check the switch. Take it out, inspect, clean.

Reverse lights -- no idea really. I have something in the back of my mind telling me it could be your shift position sensor.

malum · Post by **malum** » 06 Jun 2005, 15:45

Thanks for the reply. Let's hope it's dirty sensors rather than bad ABS!

Instinct tells me that it may be the switch on the gearshift for the reverse lights (it's a manual by the way)
It must have worked a month ago as it had it's MOT then.

I get the feeling it's been garaged for a while as it's 8 years old and only done 48,000 miles and a couple of things have gone sticky

malum · Post by **malum** » 08 Jun 2005, 09:20

I didn't see that first relpy before.
I see your point, but If I flag up an idea and it turns out to be correct then they'd look pretty silly telling me it took them 3 hours to find the problem. If it turns out to be incorrect then I have lost nothing.

As a follow up the ABS light and headlights not working seems to possibly be related, if the ignition switch is faulty it can cause a problem with both

[quote]
If the ignition switch is the problem, you may notice that the shifter is hard to get out of park, your headlights don

digital2 · Post by **digital2** » 15 Jun 2005, 07:27

cheapest fix to most 850 problems is to buy a new battery charger and charge up the battery and or buy new battery.

ECU very sensitive to low voltages from old/undercharged battery.

once battery perfect a lot of problems clear up magically!!!!! hoo hoo

dun spent what the mechanics tell u first before you spent on the battery. battery is cheap and maybe u should change it on the safe side since battery only lasts 18 to 24 months anyway.

hope this helps

malum · Post by **malum** » 15 Jun 2005, 07:40

The ABS controller was faulty.
The headlights is probably the switch but they didn't have time to check it
The headlight switch is a factory recall on the 1997 850 so it'll be free next time.
Reversing lights was the switch.