Intermittent Electrical Issues on Startup Topic is solved

ng9268 · Post by **ng9268** » 15 Apr 2017, 08:23

After turning the car on there are several issues that I am experiencing.

Symptoms:
Cannot shift out of park
Turn signals don't work
Headlights/running lights do not turn on
Cruise control does not work

I'm stuck on this. Any help is appreciated.

dmg4 · Post by **dmg4** » 15 Apr 2017, 12:39

Could we have a bit more information?

1. When there is an electrical fault, do all of the above lights and cruise control fail, or only some of the systems?
2. Does the electrical fault occur after you escape "Park" by depressing the Shift Interlock button, and only after that?
3. Does the electrical systems sometimes or usually work again if you turn the ignition switch off and then restart the car?

dmg4 · Post by **dmg4** » 15 Apr 2017, 12:41

Also, year and model of your Volvo?

lummert · Post by **lummert** » 15 Apr 2017, 19:56

My first thought would be checking the multi-switch on the side of the steering column. My next thought would be checking the main headlight relay.

ng9268 · Post by **ng9268** » 16 Apr 2017, 15:24

The car is a 1996 960. The electrical faults happen only when the car is warm (warm weather >60F or after the car has been running and is then turned off)

1) All of the systems fail every time the fault occurs
2)When the fault occurs the headlights do not turn on, the ignition chime signal is silent and the turn signals do not work before I try to shift out of park. Once the shift lock override is depressed I can shift but all previous symptoms remain.
3) The faults rarely go away after restarting the car and only if the temperature is cool.

Do you think that the issue is possibly in the ignition switch given that the only way to shift out of park is to manually override the shift lock?

lummert · Post by **lummert** » 16 Apr 2017, 15:44

Your 960 has an ignition interlock which connects to the shifter by a cable. It is called the Key Interlock System.