96 850 wagon loss of dash lights/smoking incident

leyoda · Post by **leyoda** » 12 Mar 2004, 20:18

Just purchased an 850 wagon, 96 with 70K. Seemed to be mint but I'm very disturbed at a recent incident... Have been driving the car less than a week when I saw some smoke making its way out of the vents and steering column, alarmed I shut off the car and waiting a few minutes. Started it back up only to find I had lost the interior lights of my speedometer. We test drove the car during the day and soon learned that the gearbox lights (Park, Reverse etc..) don't light up either, nor do the little digital clock and outside thermometer directly under the speedometer panel. Both my sisters have 850's and swear by them..What's the deal with the smoke!!??? yikes!! I realize it may have been foolish for me to continue driving it but I had to get home and the engine etc... sounded fine. Please, I am allready disheartened after reading the various anti-volvo postings on this website. I've had two 240 wagons that were the best vehicles ever.. 850's seem so much more complex and unpredictable, although a joy to drive. HELP!!! Please advise ASAP!!!

Post by **matthew1** » 12 Mar 2004, 22:55

Check fuses.

JDG · Post by **JDG** » 20 Apr 2004, 16:37

The ECC corol unit may have burned out, especially if it was white smoke. You may not have air conditioning anymore. The unit just unplugs after you remove the radio, and you might can get a replacement unit from a salvage parts company.