Because I'm still quite new to 480s (cars in general for that matter) I have a bunch of questions that I've been wanting to ask that all all pretty unrelated to each other but I thought I'd put them all here so I don't spam the forum with a bunch of rando questions.
- How do I find the date of manufacture on my car? (Not the date of first registration as I already know that.)
- How come only the very first and very last 480s came with the digital clock? I was recently offered one for a few euros, but don't know if they were just a really rare optional extra? I can understand if Volvo dropped it for cost reasons, but then they brought it back again towards end of production.
- My headlining is drooping in the boot area. Can it be fixed or is it easier and cheaper to buy a another one?
- I was reading about a recall for the early 2.0 cars (which I think mine is) and that they were refitted with a green dipstick model. Yet mine has a red dipstick...?
- My gauge cluster has started to degrade and is peeling apart. Is this easy to fix?
- My rear window washer isn't working. The washer bottle pump works fine and there doesn't seem to be a blockage at the other end. Is this a common problem?
- What is the purpose of the switch next to the heated seat buttons? I understand it is to turn the long range lights off, but why would you want to do that? Would would be the point of turning it off?
- Was the intruder alarm an optional extra? And would it be easy to fit a different coloured flashing LED instead? Weird mod, I know, but I want to fit a blue or purple one
- In theory, how difficult/expensive would it be to retrofit a used 480 air-conditioning system? (Testing the water with this, as if its expensive and/or complex to do I won't bother.)
- The Wikipedia page of the 480 page says that the wipers go to full when you push the accelerator pedal all the way down. Not only does this sound comedically dangerous but it doesn't seem to be working on my car. Does the engine have to be on for that?
- I also read that the rear wiper is supposed to turn on whenever you do into reverse. Since mine doesn't do that, what do you think could be causing that?
- Would it be possible to fit an adjustable seat base to the passenger seat, just like how the driver's seat has one?
- My car has a weird idle. It doesn't idle too high or low, but it just randomly will fluctuate 1-2 hundred rpm sometimes then go back to normal. I've never seen this before. Is this a fuel delivery problem or something? I haven't had the chance to change the fuel filter since I got the car.
- Do the front bumper bars get as rotten as the rear bumper bars? I don't think I'm ready to do that whole thing again
- The rear speakers in my car are really bad. I'm not exactly an audiophile (the original cassette radio is fine for me) but they crackle like mad, even on low volume. I saw that you could get original Volvo speakers that fit into the cubby holes below. Are they a rare and expensive option, and are they worth fitting?
- What are the rectangle shaped black blanking plates under the dash in both the front footwells?
Thanks in advance.