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1996 volvo 850 headlights blinking instead of turn signals Topic is solved

Help, Advice and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's P80 platform cars -- Volvo's 1990s "bread and butter" cars -- powered by the ubiquitous and durable Volvo inline 5-cylinder engine.

1992 - 1997 850, including 850 R, 850 T-5R, 850 T-5, 850 GLT
1997 - 2000 S70, S70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70, V70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70-XC
1997 - 2004 C70

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zandershope_
Posts: 11
Joined: 12 November 2015
Year and Model: volvo 850 1996
Location: alabama

1996 volvo 850 headlights blinking instead of turn signals

Post by zandershope_ »

Hello i was wondering if someone could help me. I just bought my 96 volvo 850 from a mechanics shop close to where i live. The problem is when u try to use a blinker the headlights blink instead of the blinkers. On the top back of the steering column there is a black wire harness sticking out not plugged into anything. The mechanic said he put in a new relay and switch for the blinkers but that theres a part missing on the steering column. Please help thank you

cn90
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Post by cn90 »

Search forum for ignition switch wiring scheme (color codes).
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BEJinFbk
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Post by BEJinFbk »

Why won't the mechanic/seller fix it?
'98 V70 R - Well Equipped for Life Up North... ;)

zandershope_
Posts: 11
Joined: 12 November 2015
Year and Model: volvo 850 1996
Location: alabama

Post by zandershope_ »

He was working on it for a month he said it was doing that when he bought it and he doesn't know what's missing. He doesn't know much about foreign cars.

zandershope_
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Year and Model: volvo 850 1996
Location: alabama

Post by zandershope_ »

Other than that the car drives great.

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regent
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Post by regent »

zandershope_ wrote:...He doesn't know much about foreign cars.
But he sold you one with blinking headlights?
This must be none other than an unmarked Police vehicle :D
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Post by abscate »

These sort of hacks are really tough to fix on the Internet. Definitely post some pictures.

Scan the forum on Mechanics to see if there is someone in your area who knows these cars

You should expect to pay about 5 hours work minimum to isolate botched wiring, just labor.
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cn90
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Post by cn90 »

Search forum for electrical diagram:

3/3: Switch, turn signal/high and low beams
3/6: Switch, hazard lights with flasher relay


You can find relays 3/3 and 3/6 at local junk yard.
Make sure you label which is which (yours vs junk yard parts) before swapping.

The only place that uses Volvo 850 as police cars is the UK. There may be more but that is what I see.
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BEJinFbk
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Post by BEJinFbk »

I don't know if this will get you where you want to go,
but coincidently, the headlights and the turn signals
share a grounding point up in the front left, near the
battery. Follow the blue ground wire from the battery.
Just sayin'...
'98 V70 R - Well Equipped for Life Up North... ;)

zandershope_
Posts: 11
Joined: 12 November 2015
Year and Model: volvo 850 1996
Location: alabama

Post by zandershope_ »

Also i wanted to ask , how do i know if my volvo is a 850? I have to finish paying if off before I can get the title. From my research the 850 was made between 92 and 96.

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