QUOTE (qsaghar @ Oct 10 2011, 02:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Have a very frustrating problem with a 96 850 sedan. The headlights and running lights stay on after the ignition is turned off and the light switch is on off. I thought it was a defective headlight relay and replaced it with an original part, but the problem continued. I tried unplugging the headlight switch, ignition switch, fog light relay and the blinker/flasher switch, but the headlights stayed on!!! Unplugging the main headlight relay turned off the headlights, but the running lights still stayed on. The only action that turns all the lights off is unhooking the batthery! HELP, I'm really stymied and frustrated!

Hey,

Welcome to the forum.

Well either you have a bunch of wire melted together, or the electrical portion of the ignition switch maybe/is gone bad. It controls a the electricity to in entire car.

How many miles on the car?

Do this test.... with the car running very very slowly turn the ignition key forward (do not turn to the point of engaging the starter), then very slowly to the back, do you see any lights on the dash coming on or off?

http://volvospeed.com/volvo_repairs_how_to...ion_switch.html

Also, check the connection to the starter to ensure there is no short across the starter solenoid.

 

QUOTE (qsaghar @ Oct 10 2011, 02:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Have a very frustrating problem with a 96 850 sedan. The headlights and running lights stay on after the ignition is turned off and the light switch is on off. I thought it was a defective headlight relay and replaced it with an original part, but the problem continued. I tried unplugging the headlight switch, ignition switch, fog light relay and the blinker/flasher switch, but the headlights stayed on!!! Unplugging the main headlight relay turned off the headlights, but the running lights still stayed on. The only action that turns all the lights off is unhooking the batthery! HELP, I'm really stymied and frustrated!
change the bulb failure relay the round one.

 

QUOTE (danielm85948 @ Oct 10 2011, 08:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>change the bulb failure relay the round one.
The bulb failure relay in my car ia rectangular one mount under the left rear taillight in the trunk. I unplugged it, but the bloody lights stayed on! Where is this round relay you're mentioning?

 

QUOTE (SeaMike @ Oct 10 2011, 04:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Hey,

Welcome to the forum.

Well either you have a bunch of wire melted together, or the electrical portion of the ignition switch maybe/is gone bad. It controls a the electricity to in entire car.

How many miles on the car?

Do this test.... with the car running very very slowly turn the ignition key forward (do not turn to the point of engaging the starter), then very slowly to the back, do you see any lights on the dash coming on or off?

http://volvospeed.com/volvo_repairs_how_to...ion_switch.html

Also, check the connection to the starter to ensure there is no short across the starter solenoid.
I had replaced the electrical part of the ignition switch with an OEM part a couple of years ago, so it should be OK...however the lights stay on even when I unplug the electrical part of the switch from the back of the lock, so the short is somewhere else. If the starter solenoid was shorted, it would keep the starter engaged all the time, don't you think? However, I'll check it as well...so far I haven't spotted any mess of melted wires, but I haven't pulled the harness out of the firewall. Any other ideas would be welcome

 

QUOTE (qsaghar @ Oct 11 2011, 05:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I had replaced the electrical part of the ignition switch with an OEM part a couple of years ago, so it should be OK...however the lights stay on even when I unplug the electrical part of the switch from the back of the lock, so the short is somewhere else. If the starter solenoid was shorted, it would keep the starter engaged all the time, don't you think? However, I'll check it as well...so far I haven't spotted any mess of melted wires, but I haven't pulled the harness out of the firewall. Any other ideas would be welcome
google volvo 850 relays.

 

QUOTE (danielm85948 @ Oct 11 2011, 10:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>google volvo 850 relays.

Problem solved...Pulling the headlight relay made the headlights go off, but not the running lights...the harness from the main light switch went into the dash, thru the firewall, into the main power distribution box under the left rear of hood, where it went to relays, then to fuses, and on to the lights. Pulling the fuses made the lights go out, so I figured the short was between the main light swictch and the power dist. box. I took off the top dash cover (a grueling task!) removed the instrument cluster, and discovered that some genius who had worked on the car before, had tucked the harness between the cluster and the sharp metal edge of the interior dash frame, which eventually sawed thru the insulation and grounded the wires from the switch... I freed the harness, taped off each bare wire, lights are off, and problem solved! Thanks for the suggestions everyone!

 

QUOTE (qsaghar @ Oct 13 2011, 07:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Problem solved...Pulling the headlight relay made the headlights go off, but not the running lights...the harness from the main light switch went into the dash, thru the firewall, into the main power distribution box under the left rear of hood, where it went to relays, then to fuses, and on to the lights. Pulling the fuses made the lights go out, so I figured the short was between the main light swictch and the power dist. box. I took off the top dash cover (a grueling task!) removed the instrument cluster, and discovered that some genius who had worked on the car before, had tucked the harness between the cluster and the sharp metal edge of the interior dash frame, which eventually sawed thru the insulation and grounded the wires from the switch... I freed the harness, taped off each bare wire, lights are off, and problem solved! Thanks for the suggestions everyone!

Hi,

I'm facing the same problem. Could you please let me know how I can remove the dash cover, and get the headlights problem fixed? thanks a lot

 

QUOTE (VolvoSweden @ Nov 4 2011, 10:18 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Hi,

I'm facing the same problem. Could you please let me know how I can remove the dash cover, and get the headlights problem fixed? thanks a lot
Removing the dash cover is a lengthy process. There are screws located under the trim pieces on both sides of the dash cover, as well as under the AC vents. You have to pry out the vents, remove screws, then remove the glove-box insert to reach the bolts holding the airbag. You will have to unplug and remove the passenger's airbag along with the dash cover, since they are attached together. Make sure the ignition is off when you remove or re-install airbag. Once you get the dash cover off, you can unlock the instrument cluster easily for removal, if necessary. Hope this helps!