1996 Volvo 850 Electrical problem with Wipers On

ksdst1 · Post by **ksdst1** » 25 Apr 2015, 12:38

Hi All,

I can use some help with diagnostics. I hadn't driven my 850 in nearly 2 weeks. Got in and started her up this morning. While idling, I turned on my wipers which commenced to move VERY slowly, and then the car sputtered and died.

I turned the key back to the off position, moved the wiper control to off, and restarted the engine. I had to gas it a bit for it to work through some initial sputtering, but then it idled with no problem. All the dash controls and lights looks normal.

When I turned the wipers on again, immediately there was an electrical draw where the red service light and the other dash lights started to flicker, my interior dash controls all went to a resting state, and the engine started to loose power until I turned the wipers off. This process happens when I turn on the wipers, and ends when I turn them off. Clearly it is some kind of electrical problem, but what??

Tnx in advance!

Post by **chrafael** » 25 Apr 2015, 12:52

Could be as simple as a dying battery. Does it do the same thing with the headlights and the ac on? If so charge and check the battery/alternator charging output.

ksdst1 · Post by **ksdst1** » 25 Apr 2015, 13:07

Tnx for the reply...When I let it sit for a couple of weeks, I pull the negative battery cable so the battery does not drain. With that said, if the battery is going bad, would it have enough juice to start the car and idle, but when turning on the wipers, the draw would be too great for the battery to sustain? I thought it would start the "self-charge" process from the generator/alternator.

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 25 Apr 2015, 14:49

Your battery is dead. Charge it.
Make your first stop an auto parts
store with a charging system tester.

ksdst1 · Post by **ksdst1** » 26 Apr 2015, 12:39

Yep....good call. It is the battery. Given the feedback, i knew it was safe to driver around without having her stall mid-drive. The battery recharged but I will swap it out soon.
tnx...

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 26 Apr 2015, 22:28

It's worth getting the system checked first.
Most parts stores have a little magic box that
checks all of the important stuff in about 3 minutes.
Generally, they'll run the test for free.