Volvo 480 Club Europe

You have been having fun!

Be very interested to hear how you get on with the S40 window strip since that is a job that Lily needs doing pretty soon...

How's it going with the lighty-up window switches?

And what secret addition do you really have in mind with all the extra earthing points?

David

dcwalker wrote:How's it going with the lighty-up window switches?

And what secret addition do you really have in mind with all the extra earthing points?

David

Lights up windows (and sneaky project 2) are reserved for evenings, as its stuff that can be done inside.

Strips are cut and fitted, don't look too bad (cut the first one a bit short) but need to see how they hold up on the road and with some windy window action, as well as a bit of weather.

And earths? Honestly, just think they help solve a lot of those mystery problems. Later on I'll be going through the body mount ones and cleaning them all up too!

I like the sound of "sneaky project 2"...

Be very interested to see how the wind seals perform; local scrappie usually has S/V40s so I might go and get some so I can follow your lead if they do OK.

David

Don't forget - the S40 doors are thicker so run a strip of gaffer or duct tape along the edge to make it a nice firm fit.

dcwalker wrote:I like the sound of "sneaky project 2"...

Oh don't worry, you've already done it!

There was project sneaky 3 where I thought I could go one up on you; 440's have a cover that goes over the heater blower. Won't fit though as the scuttle seal would have to be reversed.

Ah...then I have an idea about "sneaky 2" but I won't say anything...

Yes, the 440 cover seems a really sensible idea, but as you say won't fit. That's why the pollen filter set-up on the 480 needs that little diversion tray fitted into the under-bonnet grill thingy. Always seems a bit Heath Robinson to me and it doesn't completely ensure no water gets on the filter.

Look forward to seeing the next update!!

David

Still no further with the sneaky projects (tad busy at work!) but I thought I'd get myself a new stereo fitted to replace the ancient Blaupunkt pull out one that didn't work.

It should have been a simple thing; The warning signs were there though, when the "brand new" speakers I ordered from eBay, turned out to be a brand new BOX with old car speakers dumped in it. One refund on its way.

Then the head unit - The Old unit had ISO fittings, So did the new one ( a Pioneer DEH-X8700DAB).

Under a minute to remove the old cage and I was greeted with this.



So, the next hour was spent soldering up all the connectors, another hour was lost to routing the microphone cable (for the hands free), then discovering the reason they'd supplied two microphones with the stereo is because one of them DOESN'T actual fit.
Half an hour to route the USB cable through to the centre console and finally we had a working stereo.

However, this morning, on the way to the Earls Barton show, did I discover that my Iphone 7 Plus is actually a bit too big for the centre console I can just about make it fit with some strange angling and not to much pressure on the lid!

Anyway, the show was great - Had some nice company!

You should know by now no job on a 480 is ever simple and straightforward!

Looks like a great show today - by "nice company" I take it you mean that fantastic looking Aston, and not the Hillman Imps...

David

the 480 very clearly holding its own!
can't beat a paris blue either.

dcwalker wrote:You should know by now no job on a 480 is ever simple and straightforward!

Looks like a great show today - by "nice company" I take it you mean that fantastic looking Aston, and not the Hillman Imps...

David

Nowt wrong with an imp! Older brother had an Imp van when I was a very very young lad;It spent more time being welding and fixing on the drive than being driven.

Probably a big influence on my hobby!

nicklee wrote:the 480 very clearly holding its own!
can't beat a paris blue either.

except my paris blue is a bit of a van gogh paris blue - Good at a distance, BAD up close!

Yes, the 480 is still around! Work has gotten a little bit hectic at the moment, and my car projects have had to take a back seat for a little while. That doesn't mean, of course, that stuff isn't being planned!

And so, just the tiniest of teasers....

Hmmmm.........

Need to think about that!

Glad to hear you and the 480 are both still in the land of the living though!

David

Little update from today....

I realized a long time ago that, as a non-smoker, a cigerette lighter is possibly the most useless thing in the car. Sure you can plug other stuff into it, but why not do without an adaptor?



So, USB charging is now sorted. Minor problem was that the cigerette lighter is actually permanent live, so swapped mine to be ignition live, as I didn't want the little blue LED draining the battery!

jifflemon wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 04, 2017 8:28 pm

Little update from today....

I realized a long time ago that, as a non-smoker, a cigerette lighter is possibly the most useless thing in the car. Sure you can plug other stuff into it, but why not do without an adaptor?



So, USB charging is now sorted. Minor problem was that the cigerette lighter is actually permanent live, so swapped mine to be ignition live, as I didn't want the little blue LED draining the battery!

really like this mod. might have to do this too.

Rachel wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 05, 2017 2:16 pm

really like this mod. might have to do this too.

Really very simple - took about 30 mins!

one of these (took about 2 weeks from china), pop the ashtray out, beat the old cigarette lighter out, round file to open the hold a tad to fight the usb thingy, then attach feeds.

You'll have to extend an earth for the lamp for the ashtray and find a means to hold it in place - I just used some insulation tape wrapped around the tray!

I may have to find a better use for the ashtray though; If I can't find some decent switches for the blank, then maybe the turbo controls can live in there.

I used to keep a supply of dog biscuits in there.

Personally I would have bought a cigarette lighter socket USB charger

frenchfries wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 07, 2017 1:07 am

Personally I would have bought a cigarette lighter socket USB charger

no fun in that though

frenchfries wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 07, 2017 1:07 am

Personally I would have bought a cigarette lighter socket USB charger

Cigarette lighter was already broken so it wasn’t an option!

So a long overdue update - I woke her today from her slumber to take her for an MOT.

Didn't pass, but only trivial stuff.

Number plate bulb (works if you tap it)
Headlamp aim on drivers side (where I changed the mountings)
No handbrake on one side (Have a pair of brand new calipers and discs to go on)

So.... Should I do a how to on rear caliper replacement, or is everyone happy enough on how to do them?

And then *smug mode*:

The test took a little longer than normal, because all 3 testers stopped and marveled at how rust free she is. The 14 plate car that was tested before mine failed on potentially terminal rot. The testers could believe this 25 year old Volvo doesn't have a spot of rot