850R 1996 Warning lights come on during acceleration

Aramelli · Post by **Aramelli** » 18 Oct 2009, 16:39

I noticed my warning lights would appear as soon as i hit about 3,000 PMs and release the gas to coast. They then would go off as soon as i gave it gas again. Once i got to work i sat in the parking lot and tested it. In park i would give it enough gas up to 3,000 RPMS and let go, the lights would come on and stay on. They wouldn't go back off again until i gave it some more gas. My Gas light, and Service light were the two brightest of the lights that came on and the rest were a on but, not as bright. I just purchased a battery from Wal-Mart abou three months back and decided to get the battery tested to see if perhaps that might have been the issue. They tested my battery, my starter, and my alternator and all came out good. The alternator not loaded was pushing 14V and loaded was pushing 12V loaded just being my radio and blower, my AC doesn't work. The tech said it could possibly be the alternator but, I would hate to spend all that money and not now for sure. Someone else told me that the fuel pump might be causing the problem.

The below information might help because I never had this problem until this happend. Read BELOW

As i was backing out of the driveway at about 6:30AM in the monring all the sudden my horn just starts going off by itself. I immediately cut the car off w/o puting it in park to prevent from waking the neighbors, I unplugged the horns and went off to work. Noticing the issue on my way to work.

Thanks Ahead!

Post by **misha** » 18 Oct 2009, 16:49

Sounds like you have some sort of short circuit.
Your alternator have normal charge of 14v without any load...but when you turn on accesories it falls down to 12v.
12v from the alternator means that alt isn't charging.

Check the grounds and b+ terminal and also battery terminals for corossion or loose.If they look greeny or dirty you need to clean them up with baking soda or alcool with a tooth brush.

Post by **confused_al** » 18 Oct 2009, 17:13

Aramelli wrote:as soon as i hit about 3,000 PMs and release the gas to coast. They then would go off as soon as i gave it gas again.

Have you checked your drive belt? If its loose and/or slippery, check you belt tensioner, idler and belt itself.

Aramelli · Post by **Aramelli** » 18 Oct 2009, 20:51

The Belt is giving barely a half inch of slack, belt appears to be good and i'm not to sure on what to look for on the tensioner. I would assume try to loosen and tighten it but, it looks like i don't have the required tool for that. Also I'm sorry i mis understoood the tech at walmart, the printout of the test shows 13.01V no load and 12.96V loaded. I tried cranking it today and it really had trouble turning over, it gave it it's all and finally gave up. Then on the second try it turned over and all my warning lights were on and my headlights and inside lights were really dim. As soon as i gave it gas my warning lights went off my head lights and my interior lights brightened back up to normal. I'm beginning to suspect that my battery is defective. Sadly it tested good.

Post by **confused_al** » 18 Oct 2009, 21:24

From what you described, it does sound like your alt is getting weak. If my old age memory serves me right, it should be 14v+ w/o load.
Did you check the alternator's cable terminals? Cleaned them?
If that is not it, replace an alt is not that expensive, FCP sells rebuilt one for $235 (http://www.fcpgroton.com/product-exec/p ... ory_id/111), thats before 10% discount they give here.

Here is the write-up for replacing it
http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/index.ph ... placement/
GL!

9394volvo850s · Post by **9394volvo850s** » 19 Oct 2009, 19:44

I agree on atlernator being faulty if the lights are dim until u rev it up. change it or you will need a battery too..

Post by **polskamafia mjl** » 19 Oct 2009, 23:19

I don't believe that turning the car off in reverse has anything to do with your problems. 2 weeks after I got my 850 I spun out into a corn field after a heavy rain. My car was rolling backwards while in drive (aka, it should have been going forward), so I pressed the brake pedal and turned off the engine while in drive. After all of this, the only thing that broke was the odometer gear.

Aramelli · Post by **Aramelli** » 26 Oct 2009, 11:09

It was in fact the alternator going bad. I have since then ordered a new one and will be installing it asap. The car is now completely dead in my driveway.

Post by **matthew1** » 26 Oct 2009, 12:46

If you can, take photos as you go along and I'll post them here (or you can) in a new topic.

Thanks in advance if you do this.

Aramelli · Post by **Aramelli** » 19 Nov 2009, 19:58

Dang, sorry matthew I have already done the job. I wish i would have seen this post. sorry again. I'm about to change the shock mounts so i'll create a step for step for those.