Something funny (well, not funny) happened today with my 850. I drove it to my office and everything was fine. This afternoon I drove it from the office to home, but stopped at the store. I turned the car off, went inside, came back out and it would not start. I turned the key, but nothing was happening. After about 12 trys, it finally started so I drove it home and parked it. After I turned it off again, I tried to restart it. Again, it would not start. I kept trying for about 10 trys, and then the alarm system started sounding with the horn, and 4 way flashers going. It kept on sounding the security horn and flashing for about one minute and then stopped. Every time I tried to start it, the security system came back on (with the horn and flashers) but never would restart. Has this ever happened to you?

Is your battery weak? This sounds a lot like the alarm has been activated. I believe that to enable (disable) it, you get in, lock the doors, and try the restart. This has happened to me just before my battery went south.

Is your battery weak? This sounds a lot like the alarm has been activated. I believe that to enable (disable) it, you get lock the doors, and try the restart. This has happened to me just before my battery went south.

Thanks for the info. Battery had plenty of amps to burn lights brightly, radio, fan...all at same time. However, I know a mechanical connection is not necessarily a good electrical connection. I will clean posts and connections and see if it does it again. If it does, I will have battery checked or charged and go again.

Related question: when all this was going on, I could not pull shift lever out of park. Is this a preventative measure when alarm thinks someone is monkeying with the car?

I have 1994 volvo 850.

Today, my car just stop starting.
When I put the key and start the engine, the flasher goes on and
nothing happends.

I check the voltage of the car and its 12.5 volts.

I have discuss with Volvo mechanic, and he said its alarm relay problem.
It would cost 650 to 750.....

Can it be low battery? 60.00 at COSTCO.
I will try changing to new battery since its the lowest cost for me.

Can it be bad starter? 180.00 at local part shops
Should I even bother to change to new starter? I read in the forum that bad starter might do this also.

Bad alarm relay switch? 130.00 at dealer.
Why does it cost so much to replace for simple replacement.
Will anyone give me advice how to replace them? I guess there are more than
Alarm Relays so I need to find the correct one.

YES,
After replacing the battery, the engine started.

1st) I have replaced the battery.
2nd) reset the Alarm by using key to lock and unlock the door.
3rd) Finally, the engine cranked and started like magic.

Symtom before replacing the battery.
1) Engine doesn't start.
2) The Head lights are ON when checking for the battery.
3) The 4 way flasher are turned on.