Volvo 850 1995 Light Control Relay Location?

bio-diesel-dude · Post by **bio-diesel-dude** » 29 Sep 2009, 19:18

Hi, I had a bizzare sort of problem which lasted very briefly:

Primary Fault: Right turn signal lights front and rear stay on all the time (no flashing; they remain on even with ignition off)

Other indications: hazard winkers appear to work, but only the left side flashes. High-Beam dip works too and all other "light functions" appear normal.

Remedy: I could get the errant lights to extinguish by hitting the RH side of the dashboard (a la Fonzie).

Result: Thinking I was being clever, I pulled the fuse for the hazard relay and left it out for five minutes to see if it would have any effect. The effect was not the desired one as I replaced the fuse amd found that none of the previous "Other indications" above worked anymore, but "luckily" the primary fault was also gone.

I guess the lesson to be learned here is "be careful what you ask for because you just might get it..."

OK, now more to the point: I have got a replacement relay but I cannot locate the duff one... I have pulled the dash top after some misguided searches and looked behind the instrument cluster; it is not present in the relay pod above the pedals; nor near the main fuse box under the hood. Where have the sneaky Sweedes put the bloody thing? Please help!

This is the thing I am trying to locate in my 1995 850 wagon:
http://img234.imageshack.us/img234/2792/dsc02116du8.jpg

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 29 Sep 2009, 22:02

I can tell you where that relay goes but I can also guess that it is not the root of your problem. The relay you show controls the headlights.

You need to remove the cover off of the fuse box. There are 4 T-25 torx screws that hold it down.

Once the cover is removed all of the "1" series relay are revealed.

I believe your problem to be with the hazard relay is built into the hazard flasher button on the dash. It is an easy part to replace - it just pops out of the dash like the rest of the switches.

...Lee

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 29 Sep 2009, 22:15

I hate to tell you this, but that relay is not part of the turn signal/hazard light system.
The 104/108 relay is for alternating between high and low beam operation.

The problem that you've described is almost certainly the hazard light switch.
It houses the circuitry and relays that make the turn and hazard lights flash.
Besides blown lamps, corroded lamp sockets and the turn signal stalk,
it's about the only thing that's a really a point of failure.

The good news? It's really easy to replace!
Pop the radio, reach in there and give it a little nudge, it'll pop right out.

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 30 Sep 2009, 20:03

Ahh Geez, Lee - While I was writing, You were posting!
Got me...
But I would like to take a moment to say that your avatar pic of
a Volvo with snow on it puts me at ease for some reason...

bio-diesel-dude · Post by **bio-diesel-dude** » 03 Oct 2009, 17:17

Hi,
First of all let me thank all of you for the informative replies, and I really get a sense of the comraderie that you guys share.
I feel a bit silly too, as the location of 100 series relays is pretty obvious and I was a bit too eager to connect the dots...

Here is an update on my puzzle:

I pulled the hazard switch
replaced fuse #13 (15A)
and ... all three RH turn signal lamps still stay on all the time even with the switch not connected to the harness.

I can still do the Arthur Fonzarelli thing to the top of the dash, and the lights go off for some random amount of time or until a door close or something sends the errant contact closing again.

I again try to connect the dots in a logical way... there is non-switched power somewhere in the dash making contact with the turn signal circuit. The question is of course, "but where?"
Any clues as to where I should be looking?

Thanks in advance once again

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 03 Oct 2009, 17:40

I'm guessing that when you say switch,
you mean the hazard light switch/relay module.
Am I right about that?

Do they go off with fuse 13 removed?

Have you changed any lamps lately?
If so, are you sure that they were the right ones?

Has there ever been an alarm or autostart connected to this car?

Here's the wiring diagram. Hopefully, that'll help:

95 850 Wagon Turn Signals.pdf: (375.34 KiB) Downloaded 466 times

bio-diesel-dude · Post by **bio-diesel-dude** » 06 Oct 2009, 05:20

Hi,
Thanks for the wiring diagram on turn signals.

Yes hazard switch/relay was (is removed). Lights remain ON with #13 fuse IN and switch/relay removed.

From the wiring diagram I see two possibilities:
-power is going to the RH circuit via a short circuit in the stalk (perhaps headlamp dip/light horn)
-power is coming from a ribbon connector which may be improperly seated (loose) at the instrument cluster.

Is there another(s) more likely possibility?

Other notes: No bulbs recently replaced;

Thanks again