instrument cluster

Gorilla7 · Post by **Gorilla7** » 18 May 2010, 16:31

Well,first, my temperature gauge is funky. It either takes forever to move up...doesn't move up at all, or not enough...all out of wack...thermostat???

My speedometer cuts out certain times...I was told it could either be a faulty speedo or a wheel sensor could be at fault...

As far as the lighting on the whole panel itself, my dash goes as follows...L to R...gas,temperature,speedo, then rpms... is it usually dimmer on the ends and get brighter towards the middle? Or do I need new bulbs behind the cluster? The sunroof,headlight switch, etc right under the dash, do those have backlights? Or is it a guessing game at night?

Oh sorry..vehicle is a 97 850GLT.... thank you..

VolvoTurbo850 · Post by **VolvoTurbo850** » 18 May 2010, 16:54

Check the thermostat (usually the bridge part that goes over the bimetal strip breaks and you get weird readings.

You should also note that the sensor for the temperature is also there in the housing.

Yes the sensor for the speedo is in the tranny, but you might also want to check if your plastic gears in the speedo are going. But usually when that happens it stops altogether.

Your bulbs have blown. So get your wallet and pick some new ones up. Not hard to do .. and one of our members has a good write up on this in the repair section.

FCPEURO · Post by **FCPEURO** » 18 May 2010, 18:47

The temp gauge issue is more then likely the temp sensor in the thermostat housing itself. I believe you can check the gauge by first grounding it, an then giving it 12 volts. It should swing from left to right.

The speedo gets it's speed signal from the ABS module. Do you happen to have an ABS light?

Gorilla7 · Post by **Gorilla7** » 18 May 2010, 20:21

Thanks guys...I'm gonna check it out tomorrow...FCP I don't have an ABS light.....

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 18 May 2010, 21:11

I don't have an ABS light.....

Do you have the ABS light with the key in position II before you start the car? The lamp may be burned out. You may have more than one issue here or it may be that the cluster itself is fubared.

...Lee

Post by **cn90** » 18 May 2010, 21:15

- Check owners manual to see exactly which bulbs must be ON when key is in position II( not cranking engine but at position II).

- If you need bulb replacement, then I wrote a DIY here:
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=28344

Gorilla7 · Post by **Gorilla7** » 19 May 2010, 11:19

The ABS light is luminous when the key is in the II position....