I had tried to sell my 855R, but had to trade it in,

I got a call today from a guy that bought it - he drove about 100 miles to get it.

We talked a bit and I mailed him my service records and a Haynes manual.

He tells me that the cruise control does not work - I never used it except for a couple of times 11 years ago when I first got the car.

What should he check first?

He plans to join Brickboard and I will advise him to him do a search.

Isabel can be seen at - http://www.cardomain.com/ride/634651/1996-volvo-850/

I am so happy that Isabel has a new home where her new owner appreciates her.

Have him drop the kick panel and look just above the brake pedal. There are two switches, one for the brake light and the one with the vacuum lines is the CC switch. Tell him to check continuity with a multimeter, as the switch is prone to failure.

Under the battery is the vacuum pump, the vacuum line comes up and follows the fender to the brake pedal. If he takes off the throttle cover, then unplugs the vacuum line at the little air pump and sucks on the vacuum line, the throttle should move - if not, then there is a break in the line, somewhere.

If the new owner is new to Volvos or 850s, tell him to try the CC one more time. Hold the top of the switch/button in for at least 5 seconds and see if the CC 'grabs' the gas pedal.

My 1998 had a rusty throttle cable which was hard to move. Made the CC not respond when going up light hills.
--
Klausc, a Volvoholic

FWIW, in my '98 S70, failure was due to the switch in the turn signal...one $30 used turn signal assembly from Erie Volvo later, cruisin' again...