Multiple Electric Failures then recovery

volvo850 · Post by **volvo850** » 11 Jul 2006, 07:58

First it was the side view mirrors not responding, then the speedometer stopped working, then the turn indicators, then the lower beam lights. That was how I wondered through this electrical mystery. Having shut down the car a couple of time and check all the fuses twice. Nothing changed. Then all of a sudden they all came back on again. It has not repeated. What could be at cause??? I don't want to be 100 miles from home and have this happen again!! Damsel in distress.

Post by **billofdurham** » 11 Jul 2006, 11:46

The electrical part of the 850 ignition switch has been known to cause problems. It may pay to have this checked.

Bill.

presd · Post by **presd** » 19 Jul 2006, 16:40

Hi BillofDurham...I have an 850 too (93) and I am dealing with similar issues. I wondered if you ever figured this out? Mine started with sunroof and rear defrost and today it was windows, lights, blinkers, etc. After turning the car off and back on, some items worked again. I too am concerned about getting stranded and will be taking it into the shop tomorrow to have a looksey--incidentally, I had my tranmission rebuilt about 3 wks ago...wonder if there's any link??

Post by **billofdurham** » 20 Jul 2006, 07:52

Fortunately for me I have only second hand knowledge of this problem. It has, so far, never happened to my car. However, my friendly Volvo man (independent) has told me of several instances of strange happenings with the electrics, most of which could be traced to the electrical side of the ignition switch.

The only way I know to check, apart from fitting a new switch, is to remove the multi plug on the ignition switch and 'jump' each circuit to see if it works without passing through the switch.

Many years ago I was advised by an auto-electrician not to have too many keys on the keyring hanging from the ignition switch. This was not on a Volvo, but he said the extra weight and the oscillating movement of the keys could damage the workings of the ignition switch.

My daughter, a Mitsubishi owner - no taste - has had her ignition switch replaced and was told the damage was caused by the weight of the 14 keys, 2 photograph holders and a personal attack alarm she had hanging from her ignition. She has always taken things to the extreme but, after paying a hefty bill, she has reduced the keys to 2.

Bill.

bobsnow100 · Post by **bobsnow100** » 20 Jul 2006, 08:05

Sounds like you have a electrical connector that is not making the proper connection( just intermittently) that's why I believe it sometimes works,sometimes doesn't. I had another car which did the same thing and what solved it was pulling apart the main wire harness connector at the firewall and plugging it back in. Don't just pull connectors apart and plug them back in though without knowing , you can damage other electrical parts on your car. Like the main ECU (cars computer). You should have a experienced person who has knowledge of what to do first so as not to damage these electrical components . One thing is never pull anything apart with the engine running. Many times you need to disconnect the battery.

presd · Post by **presd** » 20 Jul 2006, 09:53

Thanks for the input guys...this is not something I plan on taking on myself, but I was hoping for some direction to guide my mechanic. Certainly is a mystery!! I only have a few keys on my chain, so I guess that's not the issue...anyway, appreciate the feedback.

steve · Post by **steve** » 21 Jul 2006, 06:40

I have not experienced those particular problems, but speaking in general automotive terms, anytime the electrics go a bit WONKY there is a real good chance that there is a bad , sometimes intermittant, connection to ground somewhere.

If the malfuntioning items you speak of all have a common grounding point, there you go.

People tend to jump to the conclusion that if something doesn't work it is not getting battery voltage and start looking for the source of the loss of power. Alot of times it is a bad ground......

S

presd · Post by **presd** » 21 Jul 2006, 13:39

Thanks for the input...took it to the transmission place yesterday and they found that my cigarette lighter had shorted out (penny in there might have done it) and one of my fuses was blown, which corrected the rear defroster issue. The sunroof is still stuck open (although it continues to sound like it gets power) and clearly the electrical issues will continue until I get it further investigated. Going to the dealer on Tuesday. For now, it's a very attractive garbage bag over my sunroof! Argh!!

Kappy5003 · Post by **Kappy5003** » 09 Feb 2009, 06:30

Hi
I too have had multiple shut downs and went searching and found this, before I started a new post.

In my case the first thing I noticed was indicators not working, then the speedo on checking fuses which I might add were OK and then discovered low beam not working.

This has happened twice and the main common denominator was 38 degrees Celsius plus temperature and the car has been parked in the sun.

And when the temp has dropped a bit all is OK.

I can see no real solution as yet but I've added the extra symptoms.

So hope some one is able to shed some further light.

Cheers
Kappy