1996 Volvo 850 GLT ... when I start the vehicle in the mornings, the "bulb out indicator" light comes on, and the radio is full of static. After vehicle warms up (approximately 5 minutes) the light goes out on its own, and radio reception is fine. Happened each morning this week, outside temperature approximately 30 degrees. Any ideas where to start? I did pull out the radio and check to see that the antenna was properly seated in the back of it.

One thing that happens when your car is cold is that the air pump runs, adding air to the exhaust system to reduce pollution. The pump is supposed to run for two minutes or less. You can hear this pump run - it is under the battery, You might have someone listen to it and see if it corresponds to the radio static. An electric motor such as this can produce static.

To learn more about this pump go to - http://volvospeed.com/volvo_repairs_how_tos/engine_repairs/air_pump_replacement.html

What lights are on when you start your car. If it is just your DRLs, look at them when the bulb out indicator is on. If you have different bulbs in each headlight this indicator could come on. However this does not explain why it goes off.

I would install two new headlight bulbs, to see if the problem goes away. Don't worry, you will have good headlights and you WILL eventually get a chance to reuse the ones you took out.

Lastly, is it possible that the bulb out indicator and the service light wires have been mixed - the service light will light and stay lit if it has not been reset when service has been done. You could check this by removing one of your headlights when the car is warm and see if the bulb out indicator works.
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'96 855R,'64 PV544 driver, '67 P1800 basket case, '72 Yamaha Rd400, '68 Honda 350-4, '12 XC70, the first 5 are mine, heh, heh, 525,000 miles put on 10 bricks James A Sousa

With the bulb light out indicator on, take a walk around the car and see if any are in fact out. I suspect a wire to ground has come loose or is brittle with the cold. First, check the ground straps on the battery and engine, then move to the coil and other rpm related wires.

If a light is out when cold, check its ground.
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My name is Klaus and I am a V♂lv♂holic