My wife's car - a 1995 850 GLT with 96,000 miles - has an intermittent problem. When she starts the engine the following all happen at once: the ABS lite goes "on", the gearshift is locked in PARK, the overhead seatbelts lites go "on" and the directionals/headlamps are inoperative. There may be more items like backup lights that too are inoperative, but I need to confirm that.

A quick fix is she either turns the car on/off and everything appears to clear itself OR she invokes the gearshift release, but the other malfunctions continue making the car unsafe - particularly at night

None of my local Volvo dealers have a clue what it is but are happy to log up some diagnostic time to figure it out and sell me a proprietary, overpriced part.

I would appreciate your input to get her back on the road safe and save my marriage!

Thanx,
Bob

just fixed the same problem today - replaced electrical part of ignition switch - took about 25 minutes - switches run $51-$58 - got mine at zygmunt.
Wiggling the key carefully also temporarily fixes the electric erratic behavior.

Yup, it's the ignition switch.

Mine suffered same problem, and all I do is turn the key backward a bit..

Could be a faulty ignition switch - not uncommon. Try 'jiggling' the switch when it happens again to confirm this.
--
'98 N/A S70 145,200Klm

I agree on ignition switch. See Bay 13 below.
http://www.volvospeed.com/Repair/ignit_switch.htm

Larry, mega-thanks on the advice and link fo the ignitiion switch. I was able to confirm the bad part by wiggling the key. The fix was fast, easy and cheap at $58. You saved me probably $500 including labor.
Bob