I think I might know the answer to this one, but I'd love the input and feedback from this board. My 93 850 (288,000 miles) has developed a condition where almost all of the dash lights have turned on (washer fluid, tail light out, low coolant, alt, brake, parking brake, and service engine). My gut tells me that it's the alt, or at least the alt ground.

I checked the codes, and came up with these:
B1: 417. I can't find this one on Alldata, nor in my Haynes book.

B2: According to my memory, I think this one is cruise control-related, but i'm not sure.

You were right, its the alternator. (thank god) I was terrified it might be a bad computer. In order to get home from work (30)miles to home, I took my lug nut wrench and gave it a wack, started the car and all the lights went away. So a new set of brushes will be ordered. My poor baby will have to sit in the garage and keep the old Trimuph company until they arrive. Good thing I kept my Saab 900 around, looks like it will have to fill the gab. Unfortunetly, I HATE my 900.

Thanks again for all your help, I couldn't own a Volvo without you all.

Jeff La Fleur

Could very well be your alternator. Your code 417 is "interior temp sensor fan, passenger side, no control voltage. The 122 code i s speed has not exceeded 35 km/h or no vehicle speed signal. I forget but I think that code is normal for when you have gone into self diagnostics on the cruise control and not run it up to speed or something. It has been a long time since I had call to screw around with any of the earlier cruise controls like you are working on. Keep in mind that all of this stuff works off of voltage and that if your alternator is out that you could be tripping all kinds of weird codes. Fix the alt first and then go back and take a look at what you have with the codes.

Yep, good memory! The B2-122 is the cruise control tried to engage at slow speed. The B1-417 is the passenger side air temp sensor blocked. You know, right behind the grab handle, but you should clean both sides while you are at it.
The warning lights coming on is the alternator not puting out enough juice too handle the load. Probably need new brushes.

Klaus
--
98 V70Rawd(101Kmi), 95 854T(85K mi), 75 164E(173K mi)

Unfortunately, these alternators aren't like the 240/740/940 alternators. They do die. I've learned (the hard way) that if it is "overcharging" it's the voltage regulator (which is a pricey little ^&$#%), if it is undercharging it is the ignition switch or the alternator. Start the car, eeeek the key counter-clockwise just a smidge, if the lights on the dash go out and look normal, viola, problem is the ignition switch, if the lights stay on, it is a less happy viola, problem is the alternator.

Hope this helps,

Chris