1996 850 Turbo - Intermittent speedometer

bugs11 · Post by **bugs11** » 11 Mar 2016, 10:41

Looking for advice from the experts. Speedometer works intermittently. Seems to work more often when it’s cold outside, but sometimes it’s work when it’s warm outside too. Lately it’s been more not working than working.

After researching it seems I need to have the ABS module rebuilt, but the car also has a slightly defective ignition switch. In order to get the lights to work I have to rotate the key ever so slightly back from the start position after starting the car. It’s at most 1/8 of an inch, usually I just jiggle the key and the lights come on. If I’m already in gear and moving when I jiggle the key the speedometer will sometimes come to life.

So… should I first replace the ignition switch and see if that takes care of the speedometer issue or get the ABS module rebuilt and live with key jiggling or just do both; new ignition switch and rebuilt ABS module.

The odometer broke at 70,129 miles but I’m not fixing that until I get a reliable speedometer.

Post by **abscate** » 11 Mar 2016, 10:58

Replace that ignition switch first as it will not get better and will eventually strand you.

You can live without ABS for a long time.

bugs11 · Post by **bugs11** » 11 Mar 2016, 13:24

Checked the dash lights at lunch, with the key turned to the on position, no ABS or TRACS lights on on the instrument cluster. I'm don't even know what TRACS does. I started the car and pushed the TRACS button. The TRACS button emitted these weird scratchy, squeaky like sounds, after driving a while the sounds stopped. And the speedometer worked, but then when I drove back from lunch - no speedometer again.

Aftermarket ignition switch or genuine Volvo?

bugs11 · Post by **bugs11** » 11 Mar 2016, 14:16

I have an order started with FCP Euro, genuine Volvo ignition switch and a few filters. Free shipping on orders over $49; woo-hoo! Let's see what else do I need???