97 850; no turn signals, hazard flashers or high beams

ilcalvo · Post by **ilcalvo** » 06 Jul 2008, 16:21

Recently the turn signals suddenly quit working in my 97 850. They do not light at all when selected, and neither do the dash indicators. The 4 way hazard flashers are also out, and the headlight flasher doesn't flash or switch on the high beams. The fuses are good and I couldn't find any obvious disconnected wires. I also am not getting any warning lights on the dash, as you do when a bulb burns out.

I've seen many posts about the 98 S70 model needing to have the hazard switch and its relay replaced, but not nearly as many 850s seem to have had this problem.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Rich

chuckcintron · Post by **chuckcintron** » 06 Jul 2008, 20:08

Have you checked the relay(s) or are you just assuming they are ok since 'not many' 850s have had this issue?

-Chuck

ilcalvo · Post by **ilcalvo** » 06 Jul 2008, 20:19

My Haynes manual doesn't refer to a relay. The S70 posts indicate that the relay that controls the flashers and turn signals is in the flasher switch.

Which relay should I be checking?

Rich

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 06 Jul 2008, 21:21

It sounds to me like there are two different issues in play here.

The hazard light switch is also the flasher relay. That is a candidate for more scrutinizing for the turn signal/hazard problem.

The high beam lights are a direct switch to the lamps, there is no relay in that circuit. Power goes into the switch on the red wires and leaves in the flash mode on the two blue/wht wires. Note that those lamps are not part of the bulb failure warning system. If you have voltage on the red wires and the blue/wht wires as you flash next check for voltage at the lamps. If you have voltage there when you hit the high beams then chances are the bulbs have burned out.

...Lee

ilcalvo · Post by **ilcalvo** » 07 Jul 2008, 12:57

Lee and all,

Thanks. Actually, it was one issue, but not the turn signals, hazards or high beams. A search on the forum for similar problems led to numerous posts about the infamous Volvo ignition key "jiggle." Last time I had electrical problems, it didn't help. But this morning, the key moved back just a smidge from the "start" position when I jiggled. Lo and behold, my turn signals, hazards and high beams came back to life!

Obviously it's time to replace the ignition switch. Meanwhile, I know what to do if the electrons don't get where they're needed.

Thanks to all!

Rich

ilcalvo · Post by **ilcalvo** » 30 Sep 2008, 20:13

It's ba-ack! Ever since the original post everything's been normal. I didn't replace the ignition switch or the 4 way flasher switch. The problem returned yesterday without warning and is exactly the same as before except that jiggling the ignition key doesn't help.

So, I suppose I should replace either the ignition switch or the 4 way switch/relay. Advice?

TIA,

Rich

jr714 · Post by **jr714** » 08 Dec 2008, 08:15

Hi I have the same problem. I already replaced the hazard switch, no help. Did you get yours fixed? How?

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 08 Dec 2008, 14:37

So, I suppose I should replace either the ignition switch or the 4 way switch/relay. Advice?

Replace the electrical portion of the ignition switch.

...Lee

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 08 Dec 2008, 17:59

Well, I think I'm in for the same replacement although mine is a different problem. It has gotten so I can't use my key fob because my ignition thinks the key is still in it even after pulling the key out...the car door chimes and I can't lock the car unless I use my key...once you do this a few times the fob is inoperable. Has anyone seen this? I've tried spraying silicone spray in the key slot of the ignition but no luck...maybe there's a spring in there that's not retracting?

ilcalvo · Post by **ilcalvo** » 05 Jan 2009, 07:35

After a false start where I bought and installed the electrical part of the ignition switch out of a '98 Volvo, I believe replacing the switch with the correct '97 part may have cured the problem. At least for the moment, my hazards, turn signals and high beams are working properly. I won't consider it "case closed" for a while though, because the problem went away spontaneously once before and came back a month or so later.

FYI, the '98 switch has two more connector posts (10) than the '97 part (8). If I'd diagrammed the wiring to the switch properly, I probably could have placed my 7 wires on the correct 7 posts and used the '98 switch. I didn't, and had it apart before I noticed the difference. In changing over the the '98's plug I think I got some wired mis-connected. By consulting my Haynes manual's wiring diagrams, I was able to identify the correct post for 6 of the 7 wires. The only wire Haynes doesn't show is a solid yellow light gauge wire. My choices for it are a post labled S, and one labled 15I. For the moment I have the yellow wire on 15I and everything seems to work properly. I Googled Volvo ignition wiring and got a source that says a solid yellow wire goes to the brake light switch. Since my brake lights seem to be working properly, either I guessed right or either post would have been OK for the yellow wire.

If any of the site experts can add anything regarding the yellow wire and/or the functions of the S and 15I posts (there are two side by side 15Is BTW) I would appreciate it. Oh, and if anybody needs a '98 switch or a '97 hazard switch, I have one of each available!

Thanks as ever and Happy Hew Year!
Rich