The instrument and dash lights on my 95 850 Turbo Wagon have gone from operating intermitently to flickering to completely out. The fuse is good. On the rare occassion that the lights come on, the intensity slider and headlight switches seemed to work fine. One symptom is that when the ignition key is first turned on, the lights would come on for about 1 or 2 seconds, then go out before I rotated the ignition switch further to the start position. Is there a relay, switch, power connection or ground failure that has been found to be a common cause for this?

Hi,
Interesting I had the "exact" same problem and symptons. May be a failure allot of people will start experiancing in the future with 95 and older 850's. I thought at first it was in the inginiton / contact because it would sometimes work and I could dim the lights. I went to Bay 13 and found the problems with an ignition switch are different.

My resolution of the problem and probably the same as yours is in the intensity slider ( electronic rheostat ) switch. The switch is a circuit board that is not fixable. It is a way easy fix and inexpensive. I called Volvo Parts 1-888-volvo-13 ( 865-8613 ) they sell only recycled Volvo parts. I picked up a perfectly good switch for $25 + shipping. Removing the switch was real easy just pry it and the below heater switch out with a small screw driver. The new one plugs right in and the switched snap back into place.

Lee
95 850 5 spd