I have a 1995 volvo 850 wagon and for a while my instrument cluster would work on and off and for the past couple of days, it has just stopped working and i dont know where to look or what to do can comeone help me?

 

The nice thing about the 95 850 is that you can check the gauge cluster codes from the small box under the hood. The gauge cluster is port A7. Check the codes and then reset them. If the codes come back, then post them up here and we can help you pinpoint the issue.

 

well actually, i cleared the codes with a OBD2 scaner and they were fine , but after i replaced a couple bulbs on the cluster earlier today, it stopped workng and now the little display in the bottom center of the cluster doesn't lite up and none of the gauges work anyone, and i checked all the cennections to see if i plugged them back in and a cant figure out what's wrong

 

I went through all my fuses and my dash light started working again. Just undo your battery then go one by one to each fuse remove and reinsert. Do the relays as well.

 

i heard or read somewhere that if you have abs -- then that might be the problem you ned to check that the wiring isnt damaged if so get it fixed and that solves the problem or it should
ill try to find out where i saw this problem resolution
and ill post a link to it

 

Double check the replacement bulbs as those little suckers you buy at the auto store may not be factory spec. Try taking out the ones you replaced and see if the cluster comes back to life. If not then try electrical contact cleaner spray on pin connections. When all else fails look for replacement cluster on EBay and remember turbo - non turbo clusters differ.

 

Hi Chadman, did you get your instrument lighting fixed ?

Just wondered what was wrong with it before I jump into code checking.

I have a situation in my 95 850 where the inst lights come on most times (when the headlights come on) but sometimes they don't. Doesn't appear to be related to the dimmer rheostat or the headlight switch. But if I turn the car off and restart, they are all on again. Any ideas ?

 

I'm having that same problem on my new 850 jfc. Any help would be welcome.

 

I think the problem may be in the ignition switch. There must be a dirty contact in here somewhere. When I have some time (probably next week) I will investigate.

What intrigues me is the headlights and parkers ALWAYS work (so far). The inst and dash light doesnt' work sometimes when you turn the car on. If it does work it stays working. If it is not working & if I turn car off & restart it works again.

If you google volvo 850 system wiring you should be able to find a pdf file which has the wiring diagrams on it which may help.