My car was driving fine this morning. However, wried things happened in the evening. ABS light stayed on when I started the car. I tried to shut off and restart for 2 times, ABS still ON. Then when I turned on headlight (low beam), dashlight went off, no headlight either. When I turned the headlight knob back to parking light, both dashlight and parking light worked fine. Highbeam worked fine too. There was also no signal light. I could not hear the signal light relay clicking. Emergency light was worked fine. Then I tried to go into Reverse, no backup light. Car ran fine just no light at all.

Any suggestion of this strange lighting problem ? Could it be the Main light switch and PNP switch ? My tranny and PNP switch are less than 1 year old. I will check the diagnostic module tomorrow to see any ABS light related fault code existed.

Thanks,

Ching-Ho Cheng
--
1995 855 NA, Bilstein Strut & Shocks, Volvo Protective Grill, K&N Filter, E-Code Lens, ClearCorner Light, Alpine CD-Changer, AutoDim RearView Mirror, 6000K HID

I agree with Fixit. Check the ignition switch by starting the car with the headlights on, then carefully and slowly turn the key in both directions. If the headlights come on, you found the problem.

The parking light switch does not use the ignition switch, same for high beam flasher.

Not having backup lights is a result of the PNP switch not being positioned correctly or failure. Or, the ECM doesn't think the engine is "on".

Your ABS problem is probably no speed sensor.

Klaus
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Two great Volvos, a 1967 220 and a 1998 V70R

Klaus,
This morning, I unplugged the main light switch from the car and then plugged it back into the connector. I then retrieved the fault code from A1 and A3 socket. I got 114 from A1 and 142 from A3. I then erased the fault code in A3. I tried to start the car and checked for headlight and dashlight. Both were working fine. I then tried the backup light, it worked fine too. I also wiggled the ignition switch a bit after the car had started.

I could have 2 issue with main light control switch and PNP switch. Or maybe all related to the main light control switch. Now, everything is back to normal. I will keep an eye on the headlight, dashlight, ABS light and backup light.

Thanks,

Ching-Ho Cheng
--
1995 855 NA, Bilstein Strut & Shocks, Volvo Protective Grill, K&N Filter, E-Code Lens, ClearCorner Light, Alpine CD-Changer, AutoDim RearView Mirror, 6000K HID

The codes are PNP related, as is the back up lights.

The headlights are switch related, clean the contacts and put the switch back in the dash.

Klaus
--
Two great Volvos, a 1967 220 and a 1998 V70R

Klaus,

Thanks for the information. I will take a look at the PNP switch.

Ching-Ho Cheng
--
1995 855 NA, Bilstein Strut & Shocks, Volvo Protective Grill, K&N Filter, E-Code Lens, ClearCorner Light, Alpine CD-Changer, AutoDim RearView Mirror, 6000K HID

See my Aug 24 entry titled "Update:ABS light/shift lock problem". Just had almost the exact same problem on my '95. Had all the same symptoms in addition to the shift lock would not release. Turned out to be the ignition switch. Relatively easy $50-60 fix.