My 850 (around 130k) has developed a strange problem; after I start the car all dash lights are on then, about 10-15 seconds afterward (can be in drive or in park) the lights turn off - and stay off. No other electrical type problems am I aware of. If anyone can offer some guidance I would be grateful.

Also, the airbag cover is curled, anyone have an idea how I might get it flattened again?

 

Everybody's air bag is curled. You can try glueing it down. If you find something that works please post. Check the headlight switch. It could be that the dimmer for the dash lights is shorting out.

 

+1, check the dimmer. If the dimmer is fine, then it is probably one of the electrical connectors.


JPN

 

As above, I'm betting on a dirty/faulty dimmer switch

 

I'm going with the start of a faulty ignition, you have a big key ring? Report back what it is\was if you pin it down.

 

I appreciate all the responses; the problem is a new one so I am learning some of wrinkles and have learned about more.
I dont profess to have a clue as to what is going on - my first guess is that there is some relay involved that is going bad, but I dont know if there is a relay to be involved.
Though I will check on the switch suggestions, I have some doubts this will be the solution. The reason for my doubt rests in the way in which the lights cut off. They turn off with a quick dimming - kind of like quickly turning down/off a volume **** as opposed to flicking a switch. There is no flickering of the lights and they have not yet come back on after going off. Except I was driving along tonight and flipped the light switch from daytime running to the normal position. When I hit the high beams, the lights came on again, but only briefly. I tried the trick again and it did not work. I've jiggled the switches, flipped the switches and found nothing that results in predictable outcomes.
As for the ignition switch, my ring is not particularly large, but this is something to keep in mind.
If there are other ideas, I would be grateful for them and than you all again fow what has already been posted.

 

Good luck,


JPN

 

Thanks for the schematic - dont know if I can read it, but I know someone who can.

 

ithaca, did you solve your issue????