My 3rd Volvo now with some form of weird lighting issue!! I love these cars but the electrical issues drive my crazy! I traded my 96 960 sedan back in December because I couldnt get to to pass its emissions inspection..just picked up a 95 850 sedan for pretty cheap to use as a second car and its got another one of these weird Volvo lighting issues.


When I bought it, the owner told me that the dash lights didnt work..I figured I could deal with that for a while. What I didnt realize at the time that I bought it was that the headlights and blinkers only work when the keys are in the ACC position, NOT when the cars running. I've looked online and cant seem to find this exact problem..some similar such as just the blinkers not working or just the dash lights not working, but nothing exactly the same.

The breakdown of the problems: No dash lights, Headlights/tail lights and blinkers ONLY work with the key in the ACC postion. ANY help and ALL suggestions on what to look for or what I should check before I panic would be GRREATLY appreciated. I need to get this thing safety inspected so I can get plates. The ironic thing is that I bought a 95 to avoid the emissions inspection problem..here I am now not going to be able to pass safety! Please help guys!!

 

Sounds like a possible ignition switch... Fairly cheap and quick fix
http://www.ipdusa.com/products/5749/...ctrical-switch
or
http://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volv...60-760-9447803
Have you tried jiggling the key when its in the on position?

 

I just went out and tried jiggling it, and while that didnt exactly work, when I push the key in really hard, the lights and blinkers do work. I'm guessing thats still the ignition switch? LoL still no dash lights though.

 

I'm betting its the ignition switch. Seems to be coming up a lot here lately...

 

Now would the ignition switch cause the dash lighting as well, or do you think thats a whole different thing? The gauges all appear to be functioning properly so I think that might be something else. The guy I got it from said they all stopped working at the same time, so it wouldnt be bad bulbs. Any quick fixes or common problems for this?

 

Make sure the headlight switch is to the on position not in DRL mode.. The cluster lights dont come on in DRL mode.

If Not
Could be something as simple as the connection of a pin if they are all not working..
Id pull the cluster and check it out for corrosion or bent pins or even a lose connection

But the other issues sound like ignition switch all the way.

 

You definitely need an ignition switch (as was mentioned). Fix that first (before it leaves you stranded) and it most likely will fix your dash lights as well. Even if the dash lights turn out to be something else, fix the ignition switch pronto...

BTW: you're complaining about something like an ignition switch failing on a 16 yr old car that, you picked up cheap!

 

BTW: you're complaining about something like an ignition switch failing on a 16 yr old car that, you picked up cheap![/quote]

Now now lets not get accusatory..I am not familiar with ignition switches at all, nor did I have any idea that a simple fix would help it. What I did know from my last two Volvos was that the dealer wants and arm and a leg to look at them and nobody else wants to touch them around here. I do appreciate the responses from everyone though and Im glad that this problem should be an easy fix.

Thanks again guys.