Volvo 850 GLT - Electrical power loss while driving Topic is solved

[jmcguire]

What DOESN’T make sense about that fix
is the radio losing power. Constant power
from the battery to the radio does not run
through or get otherwise interrupted by
the ignition switch.

Interesting point! After my 30 minute test drive my daughter took the car to work and did not have any issues either. She will be driving the car home again in about an hour, but for now it does seem like the ignition switch was the culprit. I’ll post again if the problem returns.

[erikv11]

What DOESN’T make sense about that fix
is the radio losing power. Constant power
from the battery to the radio does not run
through or get otherwise interrupted by
the ignition switch.

Explain this one to me if you don't mind? I would have said power to the radio is switched not constant and losing it makes perfect sense, but I'm not looking at a wiring diagram when I say it.

By my memory a bad ignition switch gives a dark and quiet cabin when it happens at night, I've experienced it a couple times. Can also give bizarre combinations of dash lights on/off, for that matter.

[Chuck W]

The radio ACC power does go through the ignition switch via the X+ overload relay. At least if I'm reading the wiring diagram correctly. So it does make sense that the radio would shut off.
Fuse 7 is the battery power and fuse 32 is the accy power for the radio.

Now why it fully resets and asks for the code is odd, but that could be an issue with the radio or the battery power circuitry to the radio.

The ignition switch is a good thought, especially if the keychain is kind of heavy.

[jmcguire]

After a few days of driving, the issue has not returned. Looks like it was the ignition switch. I now have a new one on hand to replace the one I got cheap at the pick-a-part.