Hi guys, first post. Wanted to run something by this board. Thanks in advance.

I had a ignition switch come apart on me today while trying to remove the pigtail from the back of it. The contacts came out of the aluminum shell and all the electronics starting working at once and the car started itself and began grinding the starter. I frantically pulled the pigtail off of the back of the broken switch as fast as I could, but the damage appears to be done. Before the car would start immediately, now it just spins and spins without firing up.

I patched the switch back together and tried starting the car after. It won't start, it just spins and spins. All fuses are fine and everything appears normal accept for one thing....
When I put the key in accessory, all the lights on the dashboard light up but one, the check engine light. I don't meant that it's not flashing, or anything code specific. It doesn't light up and stay solid when I first turn the key (like the airbag light). I'm new to Volvo, but on most other makes of vehicles, if that light doesn't come on and stay solid when the key is first turned to acc, the computer isn't working.

I probably just have a busted ignition switch, I'm picking up a new one in the morning. But does anyone know anything about a CEL not lighting up at all? Something I can check if the new ignition switch doesn't fix this? I tried searching this in google, but you can imagine it turned up 400 posts on how to check the CEL light for codes.

 

Hard to say what got fried: you are describing a rare occurrence caused by en electrical mishap caused by your failure to disconnect the battery before doing what you were doing and I doubt you will find a response addressing this same situation. On the bright side, if you solve this you can put it out there and be the first--no small feat! I know my comment doesn't solve your problem but short of telling you to contact an automotive electrician, which in itself is of little help, there is no simple solution to this.

 

Hi Lev! I figured it would be a pretty obscure question. On some cars I've worked on in the past there's been an inline computer fuse that would possibly blow. Since I'm new to this, I just wanted to be sure I wasn't overlooking something obvious. But I don't see anything I'm overlooking at this point. Volvo wiring schematics aren't fun to read (Chrysler either for that matter). So without an "oh duh" suggestion, it's up to me to figure out the problem inductively. Hard to play armchair detective over the internet. It's nice to know there's help in the wings after narrowing down the problem, so thanks for saying hello.

I had to run to the junkyard today for something else, so decided to pull a few Volvo columns apart while I was there. Found two S70's and a V70 among other models. All three had pretty decent switches, but one of the S70's had a really fresh switch - it looks and feels brand new. The yard only wanted $10 a switch, but I decided to chance it only buying the really nice one.

I plugged it in when I got home and the check engine light came back to life. She starts normally. Problem solved! No more wiggle in the key either, very firm engagement. I'm kind of glad the old one fell apart, otherwise I wouldn't have changed the switch. My heart was racing as I turned the key - I didn't want to track down other problems.

 

1997 Volvo 960's have a security alarm fuse, replace first when not starting, side fuse box 10amp