Klaus,

You are right, the ignition switch is expensive. I priced it at my local Volvo dealer and it lists for $296. I asked if there was a "software" upload required and the clerk said "no". I confirmed it is a "part out of box" installation. Yet I wonder. I wanted to get a spare key for this car years ago, and expected to pay about $18 (what I had paid for duplicate keys for my 850s). Instead the fee was over a $100 because software had to be downloaded into the car so that the "chip" in the new key could "communicate" with it.

My private garage has told me that sometimes the ingnition switch can be adjusted, thereby avoiding its replacement. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Hugh