Here are the clues:

1. Driving down the road, the stock Volvo anti-theft alarm sounds. Car continues to run.
2. Honk the horn. It doesn't honk. The car dies. Dead as a doornail. The whole dash dies. Restarts without a problem.
3. Turn right, the whole dash dies. Dead as a doornail. Restarts without a problem.
4. Sometimes it starts and the dash doesn't come alive at all. Drives fine, dash doesn't work for a mile or two then springs to life.

I'm asking in advance because I suspect I'll be working around the airbag. I'd like feedback before I break my neck with deploying airbag.

Thanks, in advance!

Russ

Yet another clue to add to this caper: The odometer has stopped working. What's the connection with the first clues, published earlier?

Thanks!

If the electrical portion of the ignition switch is at fault, the next time the dash lights go out, or something funny happens, jiggle the key in the switch back and forth lightly. If that "fixes" it, replace the switch.

Your odometer may have just broken on its own. There is a little $20 plastic gear that tends to break. Fairly easy to DIY.

Klaus
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The 164 has a new home, all I am left with are a 95 854T and a 98 V70R :)

If you are going to work around the airbag, just disconnect the ground to the battery first. Remember, if the air bag is disconnected and you reconnect the battery, the SRS light will come on and can only be turned off by the dealer.

I would first remove the kick plate under the dash and look for any wire that might be making contact with the steering column.
If you have a remote, make sure the buttons are clean and not making contact because they are sticking.

Have fun with this one. If you take the steering wheel off, replace the horn ring with a new one... they tend to disintegrate with use.

Klaus
--
The 164 has a new home, all I am left with are a 95 854T and a 98 V70R :)

Sounds like a bad ignition switch. If you have a bunch of stuff swinging from the key remove it all and try with just the ignition key.