Volvo 850 Ignition Switch Replacement

Teena01 · Post by **Teena01** » 10 Oct 2011, 08:43

I have a question. I'm supposed to be replacing my ignition switch today. Do I need to disconnect the battery before I start? Are there any other things I need to know before starting?

Post by **cn90** » 10 Oct 2011, 08:51

Rule #1 in car repair: whenever working on any electrical component, d/c the battery.
So yes d/c the battery cable.

PS: This thread is about the "electrical portion" of the ignition switch.
The mechanic part is on the R side, where you insert the key.
Soon or later this part goes bad, my mechanic part went bad at 100K miles, and I wrote it up here:

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=34472

Teena01 · Post by **Teena01** » 10 Oct 2011, 12:28

Thanks for the info man! Yes I'm replacing the electrical part for the ignition switch.. my headlights, blinkers, power windows do not work when the car is cranked up.. also whenever the car is in park, or neutral only.. it will make a loud noise, sounds almost like when you have the car cranked up, and you go to turn the key again.. and it makes a loud noise kind of like the starter maybe? but the sound completely goes away when I shift in Reverse or drive? anything come to mind??

Post by **LamboSE5** » 30 Jan 2012, 10:36

At picture 9-10, I'm at that step. The two screws that mount the ignition to the "tumbler assembly" are out. But the wires are connected directly to the freakin' ignition. And there is this plastic thing UNDER where the wires are directly connected - which obviously I can't get off from under them. Why am I not seeing that in anybody else's photos?

Post by **jblackburn** » 30 Jan 2012, 10:41

There's just supposed to be a plug there. I can't remember what the left side looks like - whether or not it has wires like that, but try prying that plastic bit away and it should just plug into the new one.

NYC-Volvo · Post by **NYC-Volvo** » 30 Jan 2012, 10:43

Is it possible that you removed the "cover" from the wire harness instead of removing the harness? It is not completely clear from the photo, but I think that is what you did. Try rocking the harness off - DO NOT PULL BY THE WIRES!

Scott

Post by **asimba2** » 30 Jan 2012, 14:01

What is the approximate cost for an ignition cylinder for Volvos without the smartchip in the key?

Post by **jblackburn** » 30 Jan 2012, 14:03

$200-250 for the whole cylinder/steering lock.

The electrical portion is something different, though.

Post by **asimba2** » 30 Jan 2012, 14:07

ouch.
thanks for the reply.

Post by **LamboSE5** » 30 Jan 2012, 17:49

NYC-Volvo wrote:Is it possible that you removed the "cover" from the wire harness instead of removing the harness? It is not completely clear from the photo, but I think that is what you did. Try rocking the harness off - DO NOT PULL BY THE WIRES!

Scott

Yea, the black part that had small zip-ties on it. I figured that wouldn't hurt to take off. So I did, I left it on the floor in there - but now I can't find it.

I re-connected the ignition to the "tumbler assembly(?)":

IMG_1254.JPG

When you say "try rocking the harness off", you mean the 'beige' part right? I don't see how that could come off through those soldered wire that keep it on, unless those are gonna come off with it.

Here's a short video, I sent this to my friend. He said it seems different than his 850, he said it (the beige part with the wiring coming from it I assumed) just "popped off":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IByPulN6OWM
Sorry for my lack of proper terminology.

Volvo 850 Ignition Switch Replacement

Re: Volvo 850 Ignition Switch Replacement