97 850 base all dash warning lights on

[appraiser1]

Installed new plugs, wires, distributor, rotor, new battery, new starter, cam sensor, crank sensor, mass air flow sensor, front brake pads and rotors. Started up drove short test drive - check engine warning light at first then went off after a few seconds- ran great on test drive -when shut off no warning lights. Shut off engine and after 15 minutes started engine and all dash warning lights on. It was at the end of a long night and I didn't have time to test drive. I plugged in code reader - no codes. I went out before work this morning and started up but with at least 6 warning lights on. I shut it off that's where I left it. Any ideas where I should start??

[scot850]

Car can take a while to generate warning lights. What warning lights are on? That may help give us a clue to what direction they may be coming from.

What mileage is on the car?

I had a bunch of warning lights on a 2000 V70 NA, which does have different electronics. However, the issue that had was 2 fold:

1) ABS module was bad - Replaced with a Mid-West ABS rebuilt unit.
2) TCU and ECU corrosion from the car sitting. Removing and cleaning the contacts very carefully with contact cleaner by the dealer resolved this one.

Other places to check:

1) Battery level/charge condition/age/battery cables/connections are good
2) Check all the engine ground cables are good and have clean earthing points
3) Electrical portion of the ignition switch is worn.

Neil.

[Clemens]

The electrical portion of the ignition switch as mentioned above is a very good and easy to replace candidate.
A battery going bad in my 96 was strong enough to start the car, but caused erratic dash lights. But so would bad wires or ground straps from the battery.

[appraiser1]

Car has 200,000 miles - I have owned and driven the car for the past 10 years. In addition to the item's I listed above initially- I also replaced water pump, and timing belt, serpentine belt 2 years ago, new fuel filter a month ago, a Mid West ABS unit a few months ago.
Today I started the car 11 warning lights on: Orange arrow, bulb, gasoline, battery, coolant, check engine, service engine, oil pressure, parking brake, brake, windshield washer - let it run for a few minutes - all lights went off. I let it warm up-I was going to run an errand but something in my gut said no- I went into garage for something and when I came back all lights back on. I turned car off - when I tried to restart - nothing. I put the charger on and battery was fine (it's brand new) but signaled a bad alternator. Alternator hasn't been touched since I've owned the car, and from what I read may be a likely candidate. I have two other volvos that I installed new brushes in when I had alternator problems. I will check alternator closer- I do have a brand new one on the shelf I can install if need be. When installed battery and starter I cleaned those contacts well.
Thank you for suggestion about ignition switch- I will check that out also.
Please let me know thoughts about the alternator being the culprit?

[WhatAmIDoing]

Car has 200,000 miles - I have owned and driven the car for the past 10 years. In addition to the item's I listed above initially- I also replaced water pump, and timing belt, serpentine belt 2 years ago, new fuel filter a month ago, a Mid West ABS unit a few months ago.
Today I started the car 11 warning lights on: Orange arrow, bulb, gasoline, battery, coolant, check engine, service engine, oil pressure, parking brake, brake, windshield washer - let it run for a few minutes - all lights went off. I let it warm up-I was going to run an errand but something in my gut said no- I went into garage for something and when I came back all lights back on. I turned car off - when I tried to restart - nothing. I put the charger on and battery was fine (it's brand new) but signaled a bad alternator. Alternator hasn't been touched since I've owned the car, and from what I read may be a likely candidate. I have two other volvos that I installed new brushes in when I had alternator problems. I will check alternator closer- I do have a brand new one on the shelf I can install if need be. When installed battery and starter I cleaned those contacts well.
Thank you for suggestion about ignition switch- I will check that out also.
Please let me know thoughts about the alternator being the culprit?

Alternator or ignition switch both sound like prime suspects. Have you confirmed the alternator is not charging?

[scot850]

Even build up on the battery posts if the battery has not been removed for a while can cause issues. Lightly clean the posts with emery cloth and re-seat the terminal connectors.

When I got all those issues it was the corrosion on the TCU and ECU contacts, but if you check the ignition switch, gently move the key from side to side to see what happens.

Neil.

[appraiser1]

I will check alternator this evening. Also ignition switch. Thank you

[foggydogg]

Sounds like you spent a fair amount of time under the hood, I wonder if an engine ground could have been disturbed ?
Voltage regulator and brushes intermittent could be another culprit - if the ignition switch idea gives no joy.