Search found 60 matches

by davekit
Mon Mar 18, 2024 10:13 am
Forum: General Discussions
Topic: Project Volvo 480 Electrical Gremlins Galore
Replies: 5
Views: 217

Re: Project Volvo 480 Electrical Gremlins Galore

I have owned my 480 since Dec '21, and I am still fixing things, but I also had a lot of electrical gremlins, most of which are now sorted. You might find some answers to your problems in the reports I did in May '22. I wrote it as 9 parts so that it could be posted in the relevant sections on the f...
by davekit
Wed Feb 21, 2024 10:21 am
Forum: Meetings
Topic: North East (England) Meet
Replies: 18
Views: 880

Re: North East (England) Meet

Hi - I would love to meet up with a few other owners. I've heard good things about The Motorist, but have never been, despite it being fairly close. My attendance would be dependant on the cars health and my own - currently ok but a bit up and down. I don't do social media, but if date/location are ...
by davekit
Sun Dec 17, 2023 10:39 am
Forum: General Discussions
Topic: Any suggestions?
Replies: 7
Views: 20425

Re: Any suggestions?

I ran into the same problem. The no claims entitlement does not apply to the person as such, so can only be used once - on one policy. Depending on what cars you have, you might find it better to move your most expensive car to the policy with most no claims. I am currently running three separate ca...
by davekit
Fri Dec 15, 2023 2:15 pm
Forum: Electrical system (30)
Topic: Pop Up Headlight working inside out
Replies: 9
Views: 22215

Re: Pop Up Headlight working inside out

I am waiting for SGS to get back to me on some struts. Where do you get the struts for the rescues from?

Meanwhile I have ordered some from Skandix, as I am in such need for them. Not cheap, but the postage nearly doubles the price!!! If they turn up it will be worth it, hopefully.
by davekit
Fri Dec 15, 2023 9:23 am
Forum: Electrical system (30)
Topic: Pop Up Headlight working inside out
Replies: 9
Views: 22215

Re: Pop Up Headlight working inside out

The motors on my lights are identical, and I have several duds which are all the same too. The only odd one I have seen was on ebay, and that just had a longer lead - no idea why, as it isn't needed. The crank which sends the lights up and down is on a spline which can be moved 180 degrees by loosen...
by davekit
Sun Dec 10, 2023 11:24 am
Forum: Electrical system (30)
Topic: Headlight and long range driving lamp flash
Replies: 10
Views: 17842

Re: Headlight and long range driving lamp flash

Headlights not only have a motor in them, but also a gas strut (like a small version of that on the tailgate) to assist. If the strut gets weak, the motor will have to work extra hard, and may BURN OUT. Motors are only available second hand, struts can be found new, but can take a long time to arriv...
by davekit
Fri Nov 24, 2023 9:36 am
Forum: General Discussions
Topic: POP up headlights replacement motor
Replies: 3
Views: 5377

Re: POP up headlights replacement motor

Another problem may be the gas struts, which assist the motors. They are like small versions of those on the tailgate. Frequently they lose all pressure and the motors get over worked. Alternatively they can seize - either way, it won't do the motors any good. They are available new on ebay, but may...
by davekit
Thu Nov 23, 2023 7:21 pm
Forum: General Discussions
Topic: POP up headlights replacement motor
Replies: 3
Views: 5377

Re: POP up headlights replacement motor

If it is just stuck, you can manually wind the light up/down using the white knob on the back of the motor. It might clear a dead spot. Simplest test/clean is to disconnect multipin connector and apply power directly to ther motor - earth to brown wire, +12v to green wire. Let it run for 5min, to ho...
by davekit
Wed Nov 15, 2023 4:33 pm
Forum: Electrical system (30)
Topic: Headlamps not parking properly
Replies: 7
Views: 14298

Re: Headlamps not parking properly

I swapped the motors left and right.
I would be very reluctant to touch the rear wiper, having eliminated multiple faults to get that working! From memory it doesn't look like the headlamp motors, and in any case it has only one park position, not two. And parking is now the issue!
by davekit
Wed Nov 15, 2023 3:17 pm
Forum: Electrical system (30)
Topic: Headlamps not parking properly
Replies: 7
Views: 14298

Re: Headlamps not parking properly

Definitely the motor which is at fault!
by davekit
Tue Nov 14, 2023 4:08 pm
Forum: Parts, Accessories & Brochures
Topic: Wanted: Headlamp washer jets
Replies: 2
Views: 5374

Re: Wanted: Headlamp washer jets

Hi James - thanks for info. I can't believe these jets are so badly blocked. I've even had them in an ultrasonic bath with concentrated windscreen wash fluid. I would try back pressure on them, but it's impossible to seal over the nozzles. Looks like I will have to search out replacements. Cheers - ...
by davekit
Tue Nov 14, 2023 3:55 pm
Forum: Electrical system (30)
Topic: Headlamps not parking properly
Replies: 7
Views: 14298

Re: Headlamps not parking properly

Hi Robert Thanks for the info, where would we be without you? I tried the motors individually, and the one behaved perfectly. The other stopped in the wrong place, so it appears it was overriding the 'good' motor when they were running together. It looks like there must be a dirty spot on the disc o...
by davekit
Sun Nov 12, 2023 5:43 pm
Forum: Electrical system (30)
Topic: Headlamps not parking properly
Replies: 7
Views: 14298

Headlamps not parking properly

Fun and games with popup headlamps! When I bought the car, the headlamps worked fine, and the vendor said he had replaced the motors - the old ones were in the car. Over time the headlamps got more sluggish and eventually stopped altogether. I manually wound the lights up, and got through the MoT, a...
by davekit
Tue Nov 07, 2023 5:34 pm
Forum: Parts, Accessories & Brochures
Topic: Wanted: Headlamp washer jets
Replies: 2
Views: 5374

Wanted: Headlamp washer jets

While fixing the popup headlights, I thought it was an opportune moment to get the headlamp washers working. Problem was blocked jets, but in getting tubing off to clear them, the right hand (drivers side in UK) one broke. Not sure if they can be cleared anyway, but I'm desperate for the RHS. Ideall...
by davekit
Mon Oct 30, 2023 11:21 am
Forum: In Car Entertainment
Topic: Volvo Audio - What you never asked for....
Replies: 12
Views: 36510

Re: Volvo Audio - What you never asked for....

Just to add to the info on the early cars. My 1987 480ES is fitted with a Volvo-branded CR-4025 radio cassette, which I assume was in from new. Whether it was a standard fitting I couldn't say. The owners manual which came with the car covers CR-4020/21/23/24/50/51/53 - interestingly not the unit I ...
by davekit
Wed Oct 04, 2023 3:56 pm
Forum: Electrical system (30)
Topic: Washers not working
Replies: 6
Views: 3547

Re: Washers not working

I bought a mini bike pump for £5, and some adaptors (for balls and inflateables) for another £5 from Halfords, and back flushed the rear washer. Worked a treat! So two down, one to go, but the headlamp washers can wait while other things are fixed. It's nice to get a small victory!
by davekit
Mon Oct 02, 2023 3:45 pm
Forum: Electrical system (30)
Topic: Washers not working
Replies: 6
Views: 3547

Re: Washers not working

Had to remove lots of trim to get to rear of back jet, and was not possible to pull any slack through on the tubing. There was no sign of a non-return valve at this end in any case. The tubing disappears along the lower edge of the back window, which looks exactly like is illustrated in the parts li...
by davekit
Sun Oct 01, 2023 9:10 am
Forum: Electrical system (30)
Topic: Washers not working
Replies: 6
Views: 3547

Re: Washers not working

Bike pump sounds a good idea. Or maybe the airline at the petrol station? Maybe not! However, if there is a second non-return valve at the back, then it won't back flush through that, so it needs pulling out as you say. I thought another valve could be present, but the parts list only specifies one ...
by davekit
Sat Sep 30, 2023 6:29 pm
Forum: Electrical system (30)
Topic: Washers not working
Replies: 6
Views: 3547

Washers not working

All three washers were working fine, but packed up one-by-one. All the pumps ran, so I decided that the grotty tank was sending gunk down the tubes and blocking things up. Not really an electrical problem then! I finally got the tank off when I found that on early 480s the header for the cooling sys...
by davekit
Tue Aug 01, 2023 7:26 pm
Forum: General Discussions
Topic: 480 car covers
Replies: 7
Views: 4573

Re: 480 car covers

I bought a Premium Outdoor cover from this lot. Cost nearly £200 with discounts, but does the job, fits well and keeps car bone dry. Only problems are it's not a good idea to roll up a wet cover, and it's not a good idea to put it on a wet car! https://www.carcoversfactory.co.uk/car-covers Hope that...