Loss of Power while driving...

[jblackburn]

I'll post this here too so others can add to/reject my theory:

It may have just been the connector on the plug. As they get old, sometimes the connectors only make intermittent connections and the engine can't interpret the signal anymore. My best advice would be to see if you can replicate the problem again, and see if you can get the car to set any diagnostic codes; without those, the best we can do is guess. Who knows, maybe you've fixed it. You could try cleaning the connector off with a q-tip and some rubbing alcohol (or electrical cleaner if you've got it), and then putting a zip-tie around the connector plug to make it fit up nice & secure.

It sounds like an airflow or sensor issue to me, though, rather than spark or fuel starvation. A bad camshaft sensor will sometimes cause similar things to happen, but they'll usually set a code if they're flaky.

As for the brake switch, I believe it's manual. There's one side for the cruise control, and one side for the brake pedal. I'm not sure how the Volvo's works, I have never had a problem with it. On both my Saab and my Honda, though, if the poles made constant contact, the lights were off. On the Honda, the switch that connected to the pedal and pushed the leads apart broke off entirely. When the pedal was depressed, the leads were separated, and the brake lights came on.

I'll look at some wiring diagrams later on tonight, I know I just posted on something very similar earlier this week, but I can't seem to find it at the moment.

[Gorilla7]

Thanks man...did a little playing around with the brake switch, brake lights are a go! havent had the chance to drive it again to try and replicate the loss of power issue due to a negative cable wire on the battery snapping on me! lol..if its not one thing its another..but anyway, i greatly appreciate the help bro...had a productive day on diagnosing and fixing my issues...one other thing, my radio doesnt work. it doesnt say EEEE like it normally would, it says OFF...same thing or different issue? if and when i call the dealer for the code, do they usually charge for it? also, my cigarette lighter does not function..i havent checked any fuses for it but what could be the issue? back to an issue i addressed already, my lower a/c hose blew,tore a nice gash in the hose...am i ok to continue driving the vehicle? and also why would it have done that? i havent purchased it but i looked up the carfax on my vehicle and it says it has 32 records...good or bad? lol im definitely going to purchase it though,need to know wats up with my car...

[EddieH]

Check the fuses under the hood on the left side. On the inside of the cover is a layout of the fuses. your owners manual should tell you which one controls the radio. That fuse may also control the cig. lighter as well. You can still drive the car with the blown a/c hose. Just make sure when you decide to fix it, you replace the reciever/dryer as well. As for why the hose blew, who knows? Maybe just age. For a good reference (better than Haynes, IMHO) there is a link to the entire service manual for the 850 on this forum. It covers a lot of useful information for maintaining/repairing these cars. It has been a big help for me. Download it to your computer for hours of good reading. Here's the link: https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... f=1&t=8018

[jblackburn]

Oh hey, it dug itself up. I like it when that happens:

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=28142

[claymore850]

Check the EVAP valve, and all the hoses around it, few years ago I had this problem......Over weeks no problems..but one day at highway speed the engine suddenly dies, until the car stops on the edge of the way , try to start, and all normal...

Like two months later the same problems..until i became crazy and start to check all the sensors and hoses..

The Evap is a one way valve, when the rubber became with holes it wont seal..and send error code to ECM..

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Volvo-Or ... ccessories

check the link..