My high beams work but I have to hold the lever to keep them on. The light switch is set to the 'full on' position [the position where they go on with the car and go off when the car is shut off].

Mechanical? Electrical? Operator error?

Thanks for your help,

Gary

'95 850 wagon

It is always frustrating to me to hear people complain about instrument panel lights burning out when they always have their headlight switch in the noon position. Just because Volvo turns off the lights when you turn the car off, doesn't mean that you have to be lazy and not turn them off yourself. Give your battery and bulbs a break.

Now, to your problem. If the headlight switch doesn't point to 12 o'clock, your high beams will not stay on. The Daytime Running Lights are always on, because the little screw switch is also in the 12 o'clock position.

So, if your headlight switch is "on", then you will need a new relay to make the high beams work. And get some micro bulbs for your dash switches, because they are also burning out.

Klaus
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The 164 has a new home, all I am left with are a 95 854T and a 98 V70R :)

Thank you Klaus. Just to clarify... In the 12 o-clock position the high beams will work properly. In the 9 o-clock position it doesn't work properly.

How does switch position affect the instrument panel lights and running lights? [Panel lights have never worked since I bought the car last April.]

Finally, you are saying I should switch to 9 o-clock position when shutting the auto off?

I have to get an owner's manual...

Thanks again for your response,

Gary

Gary,
Owners manual can be downloaded from the Volvo web site,pdf.
When the headlight switch is in the 9 o'clock position the dash lights and the high beams won't come on, except for "flash" when you lift the lever. When the headlight switch is in the 12 o'clock position everything will work normal including DRL.
--
Tom 69-1800S, 72-1800ES, 96-850T,2000-S70 GLT-SE

Volvo's version of daytime running lights(DRL) is headlight/tail light on, but not the instrument lights. When the headlights are switched off (DRL on), the highbeams only work when pulled. When the headlights are switched on, the highbeam switch works like a switch, on until you pull it again to turn them off.
The instrument panel lights only work when the headlight switch is turned on, either parking lights or headlights. Above the headlight switch is the cluster brightness switch and should be set at about 80% brightness to save the bulbs from burning out.
Dealers sell 850 manuals for around $25. Or go to http://www.volvocars.us/NR/exeres/56FFA9AB-A0D2-4E56-B982-A0003C98D68B.htm
Which is owners info, fill in your email address, register, then go to owners library and find the owner's manual.

Klaus
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The 164 has a new home, all I am left with are a 95 854T and a 98 V70R :)

Thank you Klaus. I'm not afraid of mechanics - I maintain my own motorcycles. Would you recommend a Haynes or Clymers or another service manual?

I'll check out the owners manual you referenced.

Thanks again,

Gary

I have a Haynes 850 manual. It's not great, but OK.

Klaus
--
The 164 has a new home, all I am left with are a 95 854T and a 98 V70R :)

Thanks Klaus.