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Dash panel lights go on after start 850 1995

posted by  KlausC on  Thu Aug 20 20:42 CST 2015
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last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014
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This car has me stumped on this one. When starting a cold engine car, all of the dash lights come on, center stack, as well as the console switches. Looks pretty neat in a dark garage. The headlight switch is off as are DRLs. The dimmer switch is at about 75%.

This always happens after a cold start, not a warm start.
--
My back feels better when I sit in a Volvo seat








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    Dash panel lights go on after start 850 1995

    posted by  B.B. on  Sat Aug 22 19:17 CST 2015
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    last visit: Mon Oct 6 13:15 CST 2014
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    Do the headlights come on too?

    There's different 850 headlight switches with and without the little extra switch
    for DRL. You might unplug the headlight switch and see if the lights act up still. My first guess for the culprit.

    If it isn't a bad headlight switch, Pull Fuse 35 the rheostat fuse, see if that
    kills the extra lights.

    Bill








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      Dash panel lights go on after start 850 1995

      posted by  KlausC on  Sat Aug 22 20:33 CST 2015
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      last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014
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      The car is possessed. Turn the key to pos I and the panel lights come on, the ECC vents move a little(like it is supposed to), AND the driver's seat moves a little??? I can't tell if the seat back or bottom moves, but I can hear the leather rubbing leather, just a little bit - I cannot see movement.

      The first turn of the key to pos I, the dash lights come on for 30-60 seconds and then dim out. Second turn of the key to pos I, the dash lights blink. Third is the same, 4th has no lights. But the seat still moves a bit!

      The headlights do not come on. Ever. The DRLs are turned off.

      Probably a bad ground somewhere, but what is it????
      --
      My back feels better when I sit in a Volvo seat








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        Dash panel lights go on after start 850 1995

        uid 5322's pic
        posted by  alschnertz on  Sun Aug 23 04:25 CST 2015
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        last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:32 CST 2014
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        I wonder if it may be the rheostat.
        They've been know to fail.
        I was able to pick a few at the junkyard and luckily one was good.
        Didn't have the same problem as you though, my dash lights wouldn't come on at all.

        Unlikely that the rheostat would have anything to do with the seat .
        That's just another gremlin you'll be chasing.

        Finishing up a valve seal replacement and PCV service on my '95 854T this weekend. What a PITA job.








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          Dash panel lights go on after start 850 1995

          posted by  KlausC on  Sun Aug 23 09:11 CST 2015
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          last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014
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          I replaced the dimmer switch this morning and now all is well. The seat movement is also gone, perhaps I just sucked in my breath each time I moved the key?

          The rheostat acted much like the dome lights, full bright and then it would go dim to off. The panel lights would come on and work with the headlights. I will keep this switch as a back up, marked accordingly.

          20 valve seals!! That's a long time bending over the engine bay. And I know you dropped the first 2 or three. You deserve a case beer!!

          Klaus

          --
          My back feels better when I sit in a Volvo seat








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            Dash panel lights go on after start 850 1995

            uid 5322's pic
            posted by  alschnertz on  Sun Aug 23 12:02 CST 2015
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            last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:32 CST 2014
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            Thanks for the support.

            Just for kicks, open up the broken rheostat.
            You won't believe how complicated they made that silly thing.
            I mean really, it's just a rheostat!







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              Dash panel lights go on after start 850 1995

              posted by  KlausC on  Sun Aug 23 12:53 CST 2015
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              last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014
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              I opened one up a few years back after I pulled it out. I wasn't expecting something that long, the rheostat for my kitchen light is just a small round thingy. A computer board??? How many diodes? How many transistors? The engineer should have been shot!

              What was amazing about my now defunct one is that it came on at full power, stayed there for 30-60 seconds and then dimmed until out. After turning the key off and on a few times, it didn't light up the dash anymore. It worked fine at night.

              The slight seat movement was a real puzzle, as those two are not related.
              --
              My back feels better when I sit in a Volvo seat








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                Dash panel lights go on after start 850 1995

                posted by  TimeToBakeTheDonuts on  Sun Aug 23 13:45 CST 2015
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                last visit: Thu Aug 29 16:10 CST 2013
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                That seat movement is an indicator that you are about to lose your mind.

                You have ALL the fun, Klaus. Mere mortals like I can only sit in envy. I meant awe. Glad to hear you are making strides!







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