I've been having a similar problem with my '96 850 wagon.
Sometimes it does work, but when it does the fan is very weak and sounds
bad. Usually I just get the flashing A/C & Recirculate.
The local Volvo mechanic says it sounds like the blower motor is bad or
going bad. Apparently when it goes bad it draws a lot of current and
the system detects this and flashes the lights.
> when i turned my car on this morning the lights on the AC "off" and Fan
> "Recirculate" buttons were blinking and the fan wasn't blowing.
>
> has anyone seen this before?
>
> thanks