Funky electrical problem

dnfrick · Post by **dnfrick** » 16 Mar 2009, 20:21

I have an intermittent problem with my '97 850 GLT. Periodically the turn signals, high beams, and speedo stop working. There may be other things too that I am not aware of. The rest of the instrument panel seems fine. I have already replaced the turn signal relay once. Shutting the car off and restarting usually fixes the problem. Help?

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 16 Mar 2009, 20:31

That's a tough one, especially the headlights.
Do you have an ABS light on, on the dash?

dnfrick · Post by **dnfrick** » 16 Mar 2009, 20:36

There are no warning lights that come on when this happens. I should clarify the high beam issue. If you hold the lever back the high beam will come on, but it will not latch in, or toggle between high and low as it normally would.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 16 Mar 2009, 21:03

This happened on our '04 V70...it ended up that the headlight switch wasn't on at all but it had daytime running lights on all the time. Make sure your headlight switch is turned on at the switch. Other than that, I really can't think of anything else for your other problem unless your ABS light bulb is burned out in your instrument cluster to begin with- it should flash on for a few seconds when you turn your key to position II.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 17 Mar 2009, 06:19

The next time it acts up try to jiggle the key and see if it clears up. If it does replace the electrical portion of the ignition switch.

...Lee

dnfrick · Post by **dnfrick** » 20 Mar 2009, 14:27

The last post was a good tip. After doing a judicious review of the wiring diagrams and which accessories were operating off which ignition switch terminals, I found that everything that was malfunctioning was going through the L-1 terminal. (one of 4 that are energized in the "on" key position) A new switch solved the problem.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 20 Mar 2009, 16:16

Another satisfied customer!

Sometime we guess correctly, I'm glad it fixed your problem.

...Lee