Help needed for a new Volvo owner!!

[sye73]

Hi everyone.I've recently bought an 850r estate and,although I'm generally very pleased with it,there are a couple of things bugging me!Firstly,regardless of what door I open/however the switch is set(i.e. Door open/permanent/off),the courtesy lights just will not come on!I've tried to lubricate the locking mechanism with WD40 as I couldn't find the usual 'pin-switches' found on most older cars.Does anyone know how I can make them work again?!
Also,intermitantly,the ABS and the TRACS OFF warning lights come up on the dashboard.This probably happens 7 times out of 10 when I start the car,but they never go out.Also,they never come on independantly.....only together.Do they share a mutual sensor,or is this just coincidence?In peoples experience,is it just a case of replacing/cleaning sensors,or is it invariably something more costly?
Thankyou very much for any help you can offer me on these faults....

[Chris_Rogers]

Interior lights.

First, check the fuse in the fuse box under the bonnent rear drivers side.

ABS/TRACS:
If the car is later than Sept '95 it's most likely the ABS ECU is faulty, use the search facility on this forum for further info.
Basically have the codes read if it's a right rear sensor fault replace the ECU.

[warthog]

Hi,

on the ABS/TRACS lights, (sorry but mine hasn't got TRACS so I don't know whether this affects both lights) but occassionally when it's hot I get the ABS light staying on. The problem is an intemittant bad contact in the ignition switch. Before you move off if the light is on, try moving the ignition key slightly (not enough to turn off the engine). On mine this cures the problem. Next time it happens on mine I must remember to test the ABS to see if the system works with the light on - general wisdom suggests that it shouldn't.

Poor connectivity in the ignition switch is a known 'feature' of the 850's. The permanant cure is to renew the electrical switch portion of the switch module.

Cheers

[sye73]

Many thanks Chris and Brian.....I'll have a check at the earliest opportunity(which will probably be the weekend now).With a bit of luck your suggestions could save me some money!!Thanks again,Simon

[dan_burdock]

My 850t5r had the same TRACS ABS lights appear on the dash board, one of the many lights I have had on the dash since 1 year of ownership. Turned out to be the ABS pump that had failed, (took a main dealer in barnsley over a week to diagnose), but then again it went in 5 times in a row, plus a spell of 4 days to diagnose an inner wheel bearing, plus two days to do the job, they were absolute dog ****e.

Dan

"they were absolute dog ****e."

Ha ha, tell it like it is Dan. Don't hold back! LOL.

Hi there. What a coincidence.Last Monday evening I collected my new toy (new to me that is) a '96 850glt 2ltr manual est.
76,400. The car is immaculate insde and out. However, the lady told me she had had trouble with the only fob she had,
having lost the other one with her keys a year ago.Consiquently, the alarm was not working and neither was the central
locking. I also noticed that the interior lights would not come on with the opening of the doors but worked ok if switched on
manually. Today , I decided to see what I could do about it and found that the fuse for the central locking had been removed.
(fuse No 6, 25 amp.) I replaced the fuse, tried the door locking and it worked fine till I opened it then the alarm went off. With
no means of stopping it I quickly removed the fuse.I then disconnected the alarm hooter and tried again. This time just the
flashers blinked for about two minutes then stopped. The funny thing is now, the actual alarm and immobilizer have become
de-activated but everything else is OK, central locking and interior lights working as they should.
So, maybe there is a connection there. Is your central locking etc ok?
Eddie

[sye73]

OK,I've checked the fuses (no. 3 and 15) and everything seemed to be in order.Having said that,I did notice that there was a small green sticker over the '3' mark,i.e. covering up the fuse number(perhaps to mark it out for some reason??).Does anyone else know if they have this sticker in their fuse box over that particular fuse?
I've also tried to 'waggle' the key in the ignition (when the car is running/ABS+TRACS lights on),but they still remained lit.
If it helps,I did notice 2 other things though.Firstly,the courtesy light for the load area works fine.Secondly,the red lights in the doors all come on except for the drivers door.I've checked the bulb and it's fine,so does this mean that there is no power going to it and therefore no power is going to whatever powers the courtesy lights??
This is driving me nuts!!

Hi Eddie!My central locking and alarm seem to be fine...
Hope you get yours sorted!

[sye73]

Dan,Don't you just love car dealers!I wouldn't mind,but the money they charge.........
I'll check that ABS pump checked out.Cheers
Simon

[IC]

Hi, congratulations on your new car, are you a VOC member? If you are please send me your car's details by pm or e-mail.