Radio turns on/off along with TRACS

Fosgate · Post by **Fosgate** » 09 Aug 2018, 04:04

So I have this strange problem with my 1997 S70 T5, seems to be electrical power related.
Couple of days ago I noticed something orange blinked on the cluster while driving, it was too quick to notice which warning light it was, then after I parked the car I have notice the TRACS light was on... I thought I might of touch that button when closing the sunroof, so didn't think much of it.
Next day while driving the radio has turned off for couple of second by itself and then came back on, at the same time the TRACS light came on the dash as well, pressing the TRACS button makes it go off.
Today while I was driving with the radio off, suddenly my radio came on byitself, the TRACS light blinked and the headlight dimmed for a split second ... I did not notice any change in the operation of the engine.
Before anyone asks I got a brand new VARTA battery that is only few months old and I have no issue with cranking or starting the car.
My only thought is it could be the alternator on its way out however generally if the alternator stops charging you get a battery warning light on the dash .... So its all bit strange, I think I need to check to see what the relation between the radio and the TRACS, I suspect they both sit on the same ignition line. The car has done around 200,000kms so it could well be the alternator on the way out.

Anyone had something like this happening to you?

PS.Would anyone know where can I get the wiring diagram for this car?

Thanks

Post by **jreed** » 09 Aug 2018, 05:07

I haven't experienced it myself, but some people have reported similar symptoms when the contacts in the electrical portion of the ignition switch wear out. You could test this theory by tapping or wiggling the key to see if you can reproduce the symptoms that way. If so, replacing the electrical portion of the ignition switch is the way to go.

Fosgate · Post by **Fosgate** » 09 Aug 2018, 07:43

Great thanks for the info ... I have another switch here from 1999 model so I might replace with that and see if I still get that issue...

Post by **scot850** » 09 Aug 2018, 16:48

I wish you luck as on the 97/98 and 99/00 the ignition switches are different if I recall, but happy to be corrected.

Neil.

Post by **erikv11** » 09 Aug 2018, 19:17

There is a chassis break number for the 99/00, you can get the details here https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo- ... 04#fitment

Fosgate · Post by **Fosgate** » 10 Aug 2018, 03:30

Yep indeed the switch I have of a 1999 model is different from the one on my 1997 model S70 so thats not going to work ... I opened the cover around the steering wheel where the ignition switch is and played with the wires there while the car was running but it made no difference however after switching the car off and switching it again my ABS and TRACS lights stayed on ... they went away when I took the car for a driver however cameback not long after while driving so not sure whats going on there... I need to connect a code reader to see what its complaining about...
So not sure if the ABS and TRACS fault are related as I never seen them come on together perhaps me playing with the wires and the key caused the ABS unit to fail somehow ...

Post by **jreed** » 10 Aug 2018, 04:51

Another potential cause for the ABS and TRACS lights to come on is a failure inside the ABS module. I and many other 850 owners have experienced this -- the fix is to get the module opened up and have the solder joints and traces repaired. I had this done about 8 years ago and the repair has held up well so far with no issues.

Post by **erikv11** » 10 Aug 2018, 07:49

I don't think playing with the wires will tell you much about the switch. You will want to play with the key, the problems happen with the contacts inside the switch. Jiggle it or see if it moves too easily out of position II toward position I.