850 ABS TRACS OFF

[al porter]

I have a 1997 850 Wagon that after long trips at highway speed my ABS and
TRACS OFF lights come on. I know the abs is not working because I don't hear
ABS control module kick in when the car starts moving. The lights will
then stay on anywhere from a few days to a week. Then for no apparent reason
the lights will just go off and I can again hear the control module kick in
again and things are back to normal. Would anyone have an idea what's
causing the problem.

Thanks...AP

 

[Steve n Holly]

I have a 1997 850 Wagon that after long trips at highway speed my ABS and
TRACS OFF lights come on. I know the abs is not working because I don't hear
ABS control module kick in when the car starts moving. The lights will
then stay on anywhere from a few days to a week. Then for no apparent reason
the lights will just go off and I can again hear the control module kick in
again and things are back to normal. Would anyone have an idea what's
causing the problem.

Thanks...AP

this might help:

http://home.earthlink.net/~vicrocha/Volvo_Parts/Volvo_V70_ABS.htm

 

[John Horner]

I have a 1997 850 Wagon that after long trips at highway speed my ABS and
TRACS OFF lights come on. I know the abs is not working because I don't
hear ABS control module kick in when the car starts moving. The lights
will then stay on anywhere from a few days to a week. Then for no apparent
reason the lights will just go off and I can again hear the control module
kick in again and things are back to normal. Would anyone have an idea
what's causing the problem.

Thanks...AP

A VERY common failure on 850s! Your ABS controller has almost surely
failed. Replacements from Volvo are around $500. You can read a little
more about it at:

http://www.volvospeed.com/Repair/abstrax.htm


Lots of folks have reported good results from having this guy repair their
units:

http://home.earthlink.net/~vicrocha/Volvo_Parts/Volvo_V70_ABS.htm



John

 

[John Kelway]

I have a 1997 850 Wagon that after long trips at highway speed my ABS and
TRACS OFF lights come on. I know the abs is not working because I don't hear
ABS control module kick in when the car starts moving. The lights will
then stay on anywhere from a few days to a week. Then for no apparent reason
the lights will just go off and I can again hear the control module kick in
again and things are back to normal. Would anyone have an idea what's
causing the problem.

Thanks...AP

I had the Identical problem with my 97 850 don't ask why but I removed all
excess keys and fobs from my ignition keyring just kept the remote locking
fob and one house key plus ignition key. I have now had no abs or tracks
lights showing for 3 months. In fact everything is fine.
Hope this may help, it was definately cheaper for me than buying a new
module!
John Kelway

 

[Mike F]

I had the Identical problem with my 97 850 don't ask why but I removed all
excess keys and fobs from my ignition keyring just kept the remote locking
fob and one house key plus ignition key. I have now had no abs or tracks
lights showing for 3 months. In fact everything is fine.
Hope this may help, it was definately cheaper for me than buying a new
module!
John Kelway

There's another problem that turns the ABS and TRACS OFF lights on that
involves the ignition switch, this sounds like your problem. Usually
it's accompanied by a couple of other things (power mirrors, turn
signals, rear defogger) not working if the problem is with the ignition
switch. In your case, I'd change my ignition switch:

http://www.volvospeed.com/Repair/ignit_switch.htm

--
Mike F.
Thornhill (near Toronto), Ont.

NOTE: new address!!
Replace tt with t (twice!) and remove parentheses to email me directly.
(But I check the newsgroup more often than this email address.)

 

[al porter]

There's another problem that turns the ABS and TRACS OFF lights on that
involves the ignition switch, this sounds like your problem. Usually
it's accompanied by a couple of other things (power mirrors, turn
signals, rear defogger) not working if the problem is with the ignition
switch. In your case, I'd change my ignition switch:

http://www.volvospeed.com/Repair/ignit_switch.htm

Hello Mike

What makes you think the problem is in the ignition switch rather then
control module or a sensor?

Thanks...Al

 

[Mike F]

Hello Mike

What makes you think the problem is in the ignition switch rather then
control module or a sensor?

Thanks...Al

In your case, I think it's the control unit. In John Kelway's case, I
think the problem was caused by the ignition switch. If your signal
lights work when the ABS/TRACS OFF lights are on, then the cause is not
the ignition switch.

--
Mike F.
Thornhill (near Toronto), Ont.

NOTE: new address!!
Replace tt with t (twice!) and remove parentheses to email me directly.
(But I check the newsgroup more often than this email address.)

 

[John Kelway]

In your case, I think it's the control unit. In John Kelway's case, I
think the problem was caused by the ignition switch. If your signal
lights work when the ABS/TRACS OFF lights are on, then the cause is not
the ignition switch.

Thanks. I note what you say about the signal lights, but as the ABS/TRACS
lights have not come on since I removed my excess keys I am loath to tempt
faith!
John Kelway

 

[Gus]

I am loath to tempt faith!
John Kelway

Replacing the ignition switch is very easy and the part is not expensive. I
think it cost me something like $50 from the dealer and it took me no more
than an hour to replace. Taking the extra keys and fobs off your key ring
is a good idea since I believe the extra weight is part of the problem.

Gus