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1988 Volvo 480 ES - A New Era Dawns

Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2019 12:56 pm
by MisterH
Yesterday, my long running quest to find a Volvo 480 ES came to fruition when I purchased a 1988 Volvo 480 ES. The car was last on the road in 2006, when it was last taxed. The car starts and runs briefly, but stops after a couple of seconds, a suspected MAP issue, the vendor is supplying the part that is needed as part of the deal. The engine sounds strong, and the dipstick is clean. There is no rust or rot as far as I can see, but it does need some new paint on the rear D/Side and front offside Wheel arch where it was previously painted the wrong colour, but it was already stripped in the required places. The interior is in good condition, but the radio/cassette does not tune in, but might try again at some point. the Info centre is working, however the pop-ups do not, but the lights themselves shine. Other things of note are that the front Number plate holder is not present, nor are the original plates or mirror covers, but apparently the previous owner may have them. its last MOT in 2005 it had 70,068 miles on the clock, which haven't incremented by much since.
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I look forward to getting her back on the road, and I shall update this thread with developments in the story

Re: 1988 Volvo 480 ES - A New Era Dawns

Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2019 10:33 pm
by Martin Mc
Congrats on your purchase - I saw the car on eBay and was watching it, without seriously considering taking her on. As you say, it looks like the bodywork is in sound order, just needing a little paint. I'm hoping to get back into 480 ownership myself soon, depending upon an impending house move.

Good luck!!

Martin

Re: 1988 Volvo 480 ES - A New Era Dawns

Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2019 7:22 am
by MisterH
Thank you! I hope you are able to find a good one soon yourself!

Re: 1988 Volvo 480 ES - A New Era Dawns

Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2019 8:45 am
by jifflemon
MisterH wrote:
Sun Jan 13, 2019 12:56 pm
however the pop-ups do not, but the lights themselves shine.
So, have a quick read (in case you missed it) of this post

Re: 1988 Volvo 480 ES - A New Era Dawns

Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2019 1:24 pm
by MisterH
jifflemon wrote:
Mon Jan 21, 2019 8:45 am
MisterH wrote:
Sun Jan 13, 2019 12:56 pm
however the pop-ups do not, but the lights themselves shine.
So, have a quick read (in case you missed it) of this post
That will come in very useful, I have now tested the lights and only the drivers side comes up, but the MAP Sensor arrived today so will do that first to get it running, then will try and fix the lights, I shall use this example to see if this is the problem

Re: 1988 Volvo 480 ES - A New Era Dawns

Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2019 4:00 pm
by jifflemon
and Brinkie has a good suggestion in this post

Re: 1988 Volvo 480 ES - A New Era Dawns

Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2019 9:45 pm
by brinkie
jifflemon wrote:
Mon Jan 21, 2019 4:00 pm
and Brinkie has a good suggestion in this post
Added a picture for clarification :)

Re: 1988 Volvo 480 ES - A New Era Dawns

Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2019 10:07 pm
by MisterH
At about 10 past 7 this evening, after the fitting of a new MAP sensor, the car burst into sustained life for the first time in over 10 years. For something that had not started properly for 10 years, the engine was remarkably strong, and after driving it slowly up and down my road (quiet as it should be in rural Hampshire) for the first time, some break tests were carried out, with mixed results, it also transpired that the speedo is currently disconnected, a worrying issue?.
It was finally reversed up the drive, where it was found that the Brake lights are not working, however the lenses are not too bad.

Now with the car running, the goal is to get her to MOT-worthiness, which mainly involves the headlights sorting, I was doing some reading the other day, on an old forum post, which gave a link to the main site and the electronics page, there it said that it can either be a fuse or a dampener, which reminded me of this fuse:
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There are 2 of these which came with the car, they were loose in the central pocket above the Cigarette lighter/Ashtray.
does anyone know what they are used for?

Re: 1988 Volvo 480 ES - A New Era Dawns

Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2019 10:10 pm
by MisterH
brinkie wrote:
Mon Jan 21, 2019 9:45 pm
jifflemon wrote:
Mon Jan 21, 2019 4:00 pm
and Brinkie has a good suggestion in this post
Added a picture for clarification :)
Thank you, I may try that, will update with the results, although it will probably be at the weekend.

Re: 1988 Volvo 480 ES - A New Era Dawns

Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2019 12:46 pm
by Alan 480
MisterH wrote:
Mon Jan 21, 2019 10:07 pm

Now with the car running, the goal is to get her to MOT-worthiness, which mainly involves the headlights sorting, I was doing some reading the other day, on an old forum post, which gave a link to the main site and the electronics page, there it said that it can either be a fuse or a dampener, which reminded me of this fuse:
for the MoT, wind the headlight up manually, remove the motor fuses, then take your time to trouble shoot!!

did you see the comment the other post about the micro-switch on bonnet 'stuck'

you do know that the lights will NOT lift if bonnet is open? I always just jam a pocket knife into bonnet catch so I can see what is working :-)

Re: 1988 Volvo 480 ES - A New Era Dawns

Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2019 1:23 pm
by MisterH
Alan 480 wrote:
Tue Jan 22, 2019 12:46 pm
MisterH wrote:
Mon Jan 21, 2019 10:07 pm

Now with the car running, the goal is to get her to MOT-worthiness, which mainly involves the headlights sorting, I was doing some reading the other day, on an old forum post, which gave a link to the main site and the electronics page, there it said that it can either be a fuse or a dampener, which reminded me of this fuse:
for the MoT, wind the headlight up manually, remove the motor fuses, then take your time to trouble shoot!!

did you see the comment the other post about the micro-switch on bonnet 'stuck'

you do know that the lights will NOT lift if bonnet is open? I always just jam a pocket knife into bonnet catch so I can see what is working :-)
Yes, when viewing the car, I thought the lights did not go up as when they were tried, the bonnet was up. however I was unaware of the 'stuck' bonnet micro-switch, so will investigate that further

Re: 1988 Volvo 480 ES - A New Era Dawns

Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2019 5:35 pm
by MisterH
Today's progress:
Pop-Ups now both work (relay needed a bit of a contact clean and some WD40
Brake lights now work
rear drivers side brake is sticking less but not perfect
the car is ready for an MOT, however, when trying to fix the Speedometer issue, a discovery was made:
Image

it would seem that there is nothing where the sensor should be, unless I am looking in the wrong place, but the Haynes Manual stated that it is on the right side of the transmission, which is that point of view. should there be anything there, or am I looking in the wrong place?

Re: 1988 Volvo 480 ES - A New Era Dawns

Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2019 5:37 pm
by MisterH
also found this in the boot, anyone have any idea what its purpose is?
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Re: 1988 Volvo 480 ES - A New Era Dawns

Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2019 7:20 pm
by jamescarruthers
I think this is you speed sensor:
Image

Image

99% the problem with it will be the wire or the other end. I would advise against pulling out of the gearbox unless you really have to.

I'm afraid I don't recognise the piece you found in the boot

Well done on your progress and good luck with the MOT. Nice and easy fix on the pop-ups-- I guess the old girl is just a bit seized up after sitting for so long. I had similar and it has gotten much better with time

Re: 1988 Volvo 480 ES - A New Era Dawns

Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2019 7:42 pm
by dcwalker
Hurrah - good progress :D

What was the problem with the brake lights?

David

Re: 1988 Volvo 480 ES - A New Era Dawns

Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2019 7:49 pm
by jamescarruthers
And there is obviously something not bolted to those two points in your picture. I can't work it out in my head though! Is that the bracket that takes the gearbox mount?

There are some strengthening bars on the bottom of the gearbox/engine but I couldn't say for certain from that picture is they are missing. There are unused threaded holes on this car though, I found some on the subframe (well at least I hope I'm right!)

Re: 1988 Volvo 480 ES - A New Era Dawns

Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2019 8:17 pm
by MisterH
dcwalker wrote:
Sun Jan 27, 2019 7:42 pm
Hurrah - good progress :D

What was the problem with the brake lights?

David
The Brake pedal wasn't travelling down far enough to activate the switch, so with some pumping of the pedal, they came back to life, and the horn just came back after some casual fiddling with the pressure pad

Re: 1988 Volvo 480 ES - A New Era Dawns

Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2019 8:19 pm
by dcwalker
Splendid! Easy fixes are always the best ;) - it sounds just as James says: the car just needs waking up properly again!

David

Re: 1988 Volvo 480 ES - A New Era Dawns

Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2019 8:21 pm
by dcwalker
jamescarruthers wrote:
Sun Jan 27, 2019 7:49 pm
And there is obviously something not bolted to those two points in your picture. I can't work it out in my head though! Is that the bracket that takes the gearbox mount?

There are some strengthening bars on the bottom of the gearbox/engine but I couldn't say for certain from that picture is they are missing. There are unused threaded holes on this car though, I found some on the subframe (well at least I hope I'm right!)
I think you're missing a heat shield there - hence the loosened bolt in your photo; usually they are a combination of holes to bolt through and slots that just need the bolt loosening off...perhaps someone previously has been at the speedo sender trying to identify the fault?

David

Re: 1988 Volvo 480 ES - A New Era Dawns

Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2019 8:22 pm
by jamescarruthers
I see you are missing the rear wash wipe jet. I don't know if that is an MOT fail. Jifflemon used to do MOT's, maybe he can confirm/deny this?