1996 850 Intermittent electrical problem

Post by **Brucebo** » 09 Jun 2014, 14:04

My '96 850 is experiencing an intermittent electrical issue. When it happens the headlights, dashboard lights, speedometer and other dash indicators all go dead, but the engine still runs and is otherwise drivable. Can anybody point me in the right direction?

Thanks.

rTiGd2 · Post by **rTiGd2** » 09 Jun 2014, 15:47

Possible earth loose? Looking at the wiring diagrams the instrument panel etc is on both a different live and earth to everything the engine would otherwise need to continue running. Either that, or a fault in the instrument panel itself (not too certain where the control module for the headlights is however. Do other lights continue to work like brake, rear lights, indicators?)

Post by **jreed** » 09 Jun 2014, 16:34

I haven't experienced this myself, but others have reported that when the electrical portion of the ignition switch fails you will get intermittent failure of the dash lights and headlights.

Post by **erikv11** » 09 Jun 2014, 16:51

+1 on the ignition switch, sure sounds like it.

Post by **rspi** » 09 Jun 2014, 17:24

Post by **JimBee** » 09 Jun 2014, 20:36

I had the same issue on a 96 850. It was a loose battery cable on the positive post.

Post by **abscate** » 10 Jun 2014, 03:20

Classic ignition switch, electrical part, failure.

Post by **Ben850** » 11 Jun 2014, 10:03

I am still having a problem, getting the power back to my ECC. Of course I was fed up with it and will get it done when I replace the drier canister for the A/C. It rusted through the bottom.

There is a thread about wires rubbing in certain areas near the instrument cluster. I believe Robert, "rspi" had a problem like that.

Mine is different for sure. I have changed out the ignition switch, power stage unit, rebuilt the fan, and swapped out three ECC units. The previous owner did some damage while hot-wiring a switch to the fan motor, which also burnt up its bearings and brushes.

I have no other electric anomalies in my '96 Turbo Wagon. Thankfully.

Post by **rspi** » 11 Jun 2014, 15:14

Along with my issues was the fact that my cruise control did NOT work. Turns out that the cruise gets a speed signal from the cluster. The wire harness going into the top of the cluster bad, had broken wires inside the wire insulation. So I replaced the connectors along with about 6 inches of the wires.

My symptoms were: fuel gauge loosing power, temp gauge going dead, no cruise and a few light bulbs dead.