Every time I drive over a small shallow puddle, the dashboard lights up like a X-Mas tree and the steering is about as stiff as can be. I am assuming that the shallow puddles splashes the water at a particular spot that causes the syndrome. It lasts about 45 sec to a minute, usually I hear the whine of the belt and it is all back to normal.

Anybody else experience it, is there a fix

thanks for any input

GP Sandhoo

1985 Alfa Spider Veloce
1995 Volvo 850 5 SPD
2002 Saab 95 Wagon

Sorry for the blank message earlier, regarding the auxilary belt getting wet, Volvo does sell a small plastic piece which covers the small opening directly beneath the belt. The part number is 9154415 called a liner seal. I've had my 850 for 10 years and it only started to exhibit the same problems this year when I drove through some small puddles. Hope this helps.

Time to replace the serpentine belt..

... or at least tighten it. The belt is getting wet when you hit the puddle and it splashes the water on the belt. The slipping belt doesn't properly turn the power steering pump (explaining the loss of steering feel) and the alternator (explaining all the dash lights that come on).

Is there supposed to be a shield that protects the belt from splashes?

I have the same problem sometimes, but not as often as yours. There is a "new" serpentine belt and routing technique for the 850, and it is supossed to take care of the shortcomings of the original belt and routing.
--
'94 854 N/A.