Electrical System New and Modified Fuctions

IN GENERAL
The Volvo 960 has some new/modified power functions identical to those on the 850:
- Factory-fitted alarm.
- Remote control of central locking (and alarm).
- "Auto down" function for driver door side window. The relay is located on the door drain plate.
- Courtesy lights, front doors. The lights are located in the sound insulation. They are lit and extinguished by means of the door switches in the side doors.
- Delay interior lighting controlled by the central locking relay. The delay circuit in the ceiling light is thus discontinued and its function is identical with that on the 850.
- Same type of control module for the cruise control, placed in the central relay model in the passenger compartment.

Central locking
Remote-controlled central locking
Added for remote operation:
- Receiver module on the right of the pedals (on the left of the steering column member on right-hand drive cars).
- Electric motor in the driver-door central locking module
- Remote control.

Driver-door operated central locking system
All cars equipped with an alarm now have remote operation since the 960 has only a driver-door operated central locking system. The customer is recommended to always use the remote control or unlock the car via the driver's door when the car is fitted with an alarm, since unlocking via a passenger door or trunk will trigger the alarm.

Instruments And Controls
Modified combined instrument
Besides those design modifications mentioned earlier, the combined instrument rheostat has been modified to "positive rheostat control", with the potentiometer connected to the supply side instead of the ground side. This allows the use of the same switch as on the 850. The connections are also altered, the four "rails" have been discontinued and replaced by three sets of contacts of more conventional design.

At the end of diagnostic test mode 3 in the Motronic 1.8 system a simulated engine speed signal of 1,500 rpm has been added to enable rapid and simple monitoring of the tachometer in the combined instrument.

Light Switch With Adjustable Low Beam Function
The light switch is new and has automatic low beam adjustment for simple and rapid adaptation to different market/legal requirements. Using a small electronics screwdriver a spring-loaded switch with a groove can be reached from the front so that:
- Dipped beam is always on when the ignition is on, irrespective of light-switch position. (The groove is then in the vertical position).
- The light switch in the parking position gives parking lights and in other positions dipped beam. (The upper edge of the groove 45 to the right).
- This setting gives the light indicated by the symbol on the light switch. (The upper edge of the switch 45 to the left).

This means that the customers can adjust the lights themselves to comply with local legal requirements.

On cars for Canada there is no groove in the switch on the light switch so that it is not possible to adjust the automatic dipped beam function.

Beam adjustment now employs the same type of resistor comparison principle as used on the 850.

New switches
All switches on the control panels are new. Besides being more rounded with improved ergonomic design, they have lamps for symbol illumination and hence the light strips have been eliminated. In certain cases the switches also control the functions in a new way. This applies, for example, to the electrically heated rear window which is now controlled via a relay instead of electronics integrated in the switch.

Audio
There are various option packages for radio equipment; without any option at all the car is fitted with only an antenna cable. At the factory the sedan models have either six or eight speakers. In the latter case, speakers are also mounted in the rear doors. In addition the CR-905 and CD players are available as factory options. If a station wagon is ordered with an antenna, a "square" antenna with an amplifier is fitted at the factory.

The door speakers are larger than before, 165 mm coaxial speakers (not the same for front and back doors). The parcel-shelf speakers have also been altered.

Audio for USA/Canada
On certain variants there is a simplified widefront SC-710 radio with a mechanical tape player. It has no equalizer functions but Dolby B and balance control have been added.

On cars with a high equipment level a widefront radio with the designation SC-811 has replaced the SC-810. This radio has features such as flashing LEDs for anti-theft protection, Dolby B and balance control.

Self-Adjusting 4-pin stop (brake)
light switch
The brake light switch is adjusted automatically after installation when the pedal reaches its uppermost position. One of the switches is used for the Shiftlock system which is thus simplified by omitting the relay.

Shiftlock System (only USA/Canada and Japan)
The former Shiftlock system required a shiftlock relay that was activated by the stop light switch and provided supply voltage to the Shiftlock solenoid. In that the stop light switch now has two switches, one can be connected directly to the Shiftlock solenoid, thus dispensing with the relay.

Factory-Fitted Alarm
The following are added to the alarm:
- Alarm relay in the central relay module in the passenger compartment.
- Switch for arm/disarm mounted next to the driver-door locking cylinder.
- Alarm horn on the right-hand wheelhouse tower.
- Hood (bonnet) switch behind the left-hand hood lock.
- Alarm diode integrated in the solar sensor/separate cover plate on the dashboard.

New Batteries
The battery is flatter and lighter because of a new alloy in the plates. This makes the batteries more efficient, halving water consumption and reducing self-discharge, especially at high temperatures. The cover is flame-and explosion-inhibiting in order to protect against explosions caused by external sparks. This increases safety, for example, in the event of starter cables being connected incorrectly.
The cable terminals are also modified and are now routed from above, facilitating both fitting and removal.

More On Batteries
The enhanced handling safety in the event of faulty connection etc.is explained by the fact that the batteries only have one common venting hole that has been fitted with a special filter, instead of venting holes at every cell plug. On batteries made by Tudor the vent is in one of the cell plugs which are here colored grey. On Varta batteries the ventilation hole is on the short side of the case.

Other Modifications
- A separate pin has been added to the ignition switch that activates the engine management system when the ignition key is in position II.
- The main beam relay has been moved from the central relay to a bracket on the left of the steering column. This is the same relay as on the 850 with the low profile front where the low beam lamp is lit when full beam is on.
- The interval relay for the tailgate window on station wagons is now located by the rear bulb failure sensor.
- The grounding points by the cowl sides have been moved to the seat raisers.
United Kingdom: The dim-dip function is discontinued and replaced by beam adjustment.
- The data link connectors are moved to the lefthand collision brace close to the firewall.
- Motronic-, ABS- and AW-control modules have been relocated so that the connectors point to the rear in order to simplify installation during production. The Motronic control module on left-hand drive models has a bracket with a snap fastening (no screws).