This is long, but I have tried to be thorough.
A couple of nights ago, I noticed that the exterior, perimeter lights on my 1997 Volvo 850 were blinking (flashing) periodically. I got in the car and started it (no problems) and drove it around the block, again, with no problems. I locked it and waited and watched it, but it continued to "flash" every 4 minutes or so. I checked all the fluids and the battery cables, and everything appears just fine.
Still, it continued to flash periodically.
I know it is trying to tell me something, but what?
I have been all through the service manual, but have found nothing on point. I discovered this web-site and did several searches looking for an answer, but I have found nothing that seems appropos.
I have since conversed with MIJ who tried his best to help me, but his suggestions have not corrected the problem, if indeed it is something as simple as a resetting of the circuitry; frankly I thought the battery might be failing. MIJ suggested this morning that I submit this to the Forum.
I do not have remote keyless entry, although it is available on this car. I use a physical key and when I lock it, the car locks and the perimeter lights flash on. This appears to be (and sounds like) the same phenomenon that I observe/hear now. I can hear the locks "adjust", for lack of a better word, whenever the "flashing" occurs. No headlights involved, for the sake of clarity. I do not know what occurs on the dashboard when this occurs as it does not appear to occur when I am sitting in the vehicle. To wit:
I went to dinner last night, and when I got home, I locked the car. Unlocked the car. Locked the car. (MIJ's suggestion.) Looked at my watch, it was 9:22 PM. I went inside, poured a glass of wine and sat on the front porch watching the car. At 9:26 PM, the perimeter lights flashed. At 9:30 they flashed again. So, four minute cycles appear to be at play.
Then I got in the car, no key in the ignition, touched nothing except to lock the door. Roughly 13 minutes later, nothing had happened. As though just sitting in the car had rendered the problem away. So I got out, locked it, unlocked it, and locked it again; then began my vigil. 4 minutes later the lights flashed. Then I came in to write you....
Anybody have any thoughts on the potential problem?
The battery was purchased last summer. The cables were tight and free of corrosion. The car has no apparent problems. It starts, stops, drives just fine. The AC works well. The fluids are at acceptable levels. It is driven very little as I live and work at home. Easy access to virtually everything I need within 1-2 miles. There are weeks it gets driven only 10 miles or so, if that. A tank of gas can last 2 months or more. Mileage is at roughly 130k; the odometer has been broken for a couple of years; it reads 115k. I seriously doubt I am putting more than 6,000 miles a year on the vehicle. No significant trips in almost a year (Memphis to Houston and back.) My late wife and I spent approx 4 months in Houston last year, so the car was driven little then as it sat here unused for three months. The trip to Houston notwithstanding, we had an appartment only minutes away from MD Anderson Cancer Center (you can fill in the blanks...)
If I knew what else to add, I would add it. If you have additional questions, please feel free to ask.
Thank you,
bob