My 2004 C70 is exhibiting an odd problem. After starting the vehicle, normally all electrical systems turn on immediately. About 6 months back I noticed a delay before the headlights, dash lights, turn signals and a few other items would come on. (Not all systems are affected -- the radio is fine.) That delay can now be up to several minutes.

Anyone experienced this? Suggestions?

Thanks very much.

 

My guess would be your B+ cable at the fuse box. When these are bad you'll notice dimming of headlights when the car shifts, which almost seems like a bad alternator. But I would check this (much cheaper and easier fix) first. Here's a good tutorial on MatthewsVolvoSite:

http://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/for...ic.php?t=35208

 

Also, maybe a bad capacitor on the dash cluster (although I've never heard of this being an issue on a Volvo). There's issues with old Honda's not being able to start because of a bad cap.

 

When it happens, turn the ignition key back very slightly. If everything works, its a bad ignition switch

 

I would agree on ignition switch. Might only be the left hand module piece. Disassemble plastic surround of steering wheel/ignition assembly, try screwdriver turning left hand module with key inserted & turned forward to last position B 4 start. Had bad switch, changed last year.

 

Thanks all very much for your suggestions.

After investigating the obvious things (ignition switch, fusebox relay), I decided to get Volvo dealer service help.

The first repair took three weeks. They claimed it was the fuse box base. While the part was not expensive, they had to move each individual wire from the harness to the new fuse box. I saw this myself, and surprised there were no block connectors -- just individual spade connectors on the end of each wire. And, FWIW, the repair quote was 0.5 hours -- I did not pay for three weeks of work.

On receiving the car back, the problem had moved from one part of the electrical system to another. The power windows, radio and several other items would not come on for about 10 minutes.

The car is now back at the dealer, and this time they say it was fixed by replacing a bad relay in the fuse box. They are still trying to determine the rear fog lights (yes, rear fog lights) are broken. One comes on, the other will not.

The saga continues....

 

My 98 C70 Coupe, only has a rear fog light on the right rear.

 

Well, one would think the dealer smart enough to know if there is only one fog light on the 2004, too. Thanks for the note.