Underhood Wiring Problems of Volvo 850

Volvo 850 owners have reported 4 problems related to underhood wiring (under the electrical system category). The most recently reported issues are listed below.

1 Underhood Wiring problem of the 1996 Volvo 850

Failure Date: 06/04/2003

The entire alternator wiring harness was melted and destroyed before the fuseable link opened the circuit. This clearly is not an acceptable electrical design. In fact, it is my contention that if my wife had not turned the car off when she did, due to the white smoke from the fan, the wiring harness would have caught on fire. Most likely the resulting fire would have destroyed the car as the melted wiring harness is directly under and around the engines fuel injection system. Personally inspected the electrical damage, and was appalled by how much of the wiring was fused together. If the safety design (fuseable link) of the fan circuit had worked properly the alternator wiring harness would never have been damaged to the extent I saw and more importantly my wife would never have been in personal danger. I have reported this issue to Volvo America and they contend that a loose fan mount caused this issue. The repair shop was at a lose to explain this position to me as they could not understand how this was relevent to the extensive damage caused as the wiring harness melted down.

See all problems of the 1996 Volvo 850 🔎.

2 Underhood Wiring problem of the 1996 Volvo 850

Failure Date: 10/24/2000

No summary listed for above vehicle.

3 Underhood Wiring problem of the 1996 Volvo 850

Consumer noticed an odd smell inside of vehicle while traveling. Consumer pulled vehicle over and noticed smoke coming from under hood and a fire. Fire department was called and put fire out.

4 Underhood Wiring problem of the 1996 Volvo 850

A fire started under the hood while driving at 25 mph.




Fuel Economy of 850 Vehicles
850 Service Bulletins
850 Safety Recalls
850 Defect Investigations