dead 850 HELP!!

dugit · Post by **dugit** » 27 Jan 2005, 16:15

Ironically i posted for first time today about minor repairs and now my wife called saying 94 850 manual is dead in my driveway.

she said the following happened

1. SRS warning light flashed on going to work
2. On way home SRS flashed on again as well as ABS light.
3. Car began idling high at stop in neutral
4. She detected "rotten egg" smell
5. She got car home and "battery light" stayed on after car shut down
6. Car will not start now.

What should i do to prevent damage and what r your thoughts? I am only competent with minor repairs.

THANKS,
DOUG

Post by **dugitman** » 27 Jan 2005, 19:08

home now and logged in,

Battery light is on. Headlights an interior lights come on but are extremely dim. Engine will not turnover and ignition won't engage from lack of power i suppose. Strong alkali? smell in cab and engine compartment. Battery cables attached in awkward position and it is 2 degrees above zero out so i really don't want to mess with and possibly break something in frustration.

1.) Will it hurt anything to leave battery hooked up all night until it completely runs down?
2.) Can somebody please diagnose this and tell me it will cost under $100 to fix by tomorrow morning? LOL
3.) Probably tow it with my jeep down to a Sears close to me so what can i expect from them if anyone has experience with Sears Auto Repair. I figure they can at least hook up diagnostics and possibly narrow down. If anything major i can take it to my regular mechanic.

Any feedback at all will make me feel better at this point.

Also, I believe thermostat has been out last week or so since temp gauge would never get up into normal range. did i screw up by procrastinating with that?

Thanks Everyone,
Doug

Da' Moose · Post by **Da' Moose** » 27 Jan 2005, 20:19

If the battery runs all of the way dead it my be to late to save it in the cold. When a bettery runs down the cemistry changes and the acid will take on the propertys of water, and freeze, busting the battery case. It may well be worth your while to disconnect the battery and put it on a charger for the night.

I do not know what part or parts are causing your problem. Good luck.

Post by **matthew1** » 27 Jan 2005, 21:29

Or take the battery out and take it to an auto parts place and ask them to test it. If it's fried, you need a new battery anyway, so get one there. Pop it in the Volvo. If it fixes your problem bam your're done, and you did the -- or one of -- the easiest fixes first.

Low batteries can cause all kinds of strange behavior.

Always work from easiest to hardest.

Post by **dugitman** » 28 Jan 2005, 15:03

It ended up being alternator but put new battery in also because of age. I LOVE this site and promise I will donate some money to u Matt as soon as i get over this setback (I now have to break into broken glove box for stereo codes in owners manual). I think i got good deal from mechanic on alternater (installed $456 total). He is a pretty good buddy of mine so let me know if i need to punch him in face next time I see him. Any cheat codes for stereo so i don't have to replace glove comptment face plate?

Post by **matthew1** » 28 Jan 2005, 16:43

Don't break it! There's a quick fix, or at least a less damaging one out there. I'll get it...

Post by **matthew1** » 28 Jan 2005, 17:07

http://au.geocities.com/ozbrick850/misc ... latch.html

Post by **dugitman** » 29 Jan 2005, 09:49

Didn't bust in yet. Thx. Will try that fix. I love it when someone comes up with something so logical it makes me feel dumb. Hehe. U think u could move to Indianapolis Matt?

Mister 93 · Post by **Mister 93** » 02 Feb 2005, 15:43

dugitman wrote:Didn't bust in yet. Thx. Will try that fix. I love it when someone comes up with something so logical it makes me feel dumb. Hehe. U think u could move to Indianapolis Matt?

my glovebox latch also broke on my 93 850GLT. The door handle would not unlock the box. I did the hacksaw trick also, but a little different. I used two large thin metal puddy knoves on either side of the hacksaw to protect the vinyl. After cutting thru both sides of the U shaped lock the door was open! The dealer wanted to sell me a complete glovebox door, (over 100 bucks)! I had the parts guy pull up the schematics to see how to install it. I noticed the locking mechanism had its own part number. So i purchased a lock/latch mechanism kit and it had the U shaped bar in it that I had to cut in two to get in the box. Cost me about 17 bucks. Take the door off of the dash.Remove the door liner screws. >> Pay close attention to how all the gears and levers come out<<<
reverse install the new hardware. Reinstall the door to the dash.