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1998 V70 T5(M)
Yesterday both direction signals and the hazard flasher decided no longer to blink. After verifying that all fuses and bulbs were working, I focused on what I believed would be a flasher relay, but none of my maintenance books mentioned it.
It appeared for a while that I might have to replace the direction signal assembly on the steering column. I consulted my indie who said that such a replacement might require removing the steering wheel, disabling the air bag, and reflashing a computer, and that he would have to take it to the dealer to do the reflash.
So, I swallowed hard, reviewed my financial portfolio, and called my dealer to discuss the repair. He KINDLY told me that a majority of blinker problems were caused by a failed hazard flasher switch, the one just below the radio. I began to breath more easily. He went on to say that it was easily replaceable, which was confirmed by my maintenance books. I went to the dealer parts counter and bought the hazard switch (p/n 8628632, $69.04).
The procedure for switch replacement says to remove the radio and disconnect it in order to reach in and push the hazard switch to the rear to free it. When I pulled the radio out, there was very little slack in the cabling and the cables were firmly fixed in their sockets. (This is the point where I typically do far more damage than existed in the original problem).
ALERT: Here comes the "lesson learned" .... It is not necessary to disconnect the radio to have enough room to reach behind it to push out the hazard switch. I began to breath even more easily. After that, it took 2 minutes to replace the switch, reseat the radio, reconnect the battery and enter my radio security code.
This was one of those rare and wonderful times when I went from an anticipated several hundred dollars in the shop to a few minutes in my driveway and the cost of the part.
LET ME ADD THAT I OWE ALL THIS TO THE HONEST AND KIND SERVICE MANAGER AT PHILLIPS VOLVO, VIRGINIA BEACH, VA, WHO COULD HAVE SAID, "JUST BRING IT ON IN, SIR, AND WE'LL HAVE A LOOK AT IT" ... words that strike terror into the hearts of Volvo owners.
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Dave in Virginia; 98 V70 T5(M): IPD MOTRONIC+ ECU Upgrade, Sport Muffler, VDO Boost Gauge, IPD Anti-Sway Bars; 88 245 DL; 67 MGB
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