New Year, New 480!

Here you can talk about the joy owning a Volvo 480 brings. Non-technical discussions take place here, like what is the difference between an ES and a S version.

Moderators: jifflemon, coyote1980, Rachel

Martin Mc
480 Rookie
Posts: 457
Joined: Tue May 29, 2012 11:57 am

Re: New Year, New 480!

Post by Martin Mc » Thu Jan 09, 2020 3:53 pm

brinkie wrote:
Thu Jan 09, 2020 8:45 am
brinkie wrote:
Wed Jan 08, 2020 1:22 pm
(if I can find a speedometer in miles in one of the boxes in my loft that is!)
Good news, I have found one! It's a good thing you've posted pictures of the instrument cluster here, I will build an exact copy this weekend.
Did you already source another popup headlight relay? I can put one in as well. (need any more parts btw? the box is quite big)
Hello Robert,

Many thanks! That is brilliant :)

As regards the relay, there were two that came with the car, but I haven't tried them. If you wouldn't mind including a relay with the instrument cluster, I will send you a replacement when I return the original cluster.

All the best!

Martin
1991 ES White / 1995 ES Red / 1995 ES Red / 1994 S Black / 1995 Celebration Red / 1994 S Paris Blue / 1995 Celebration (again!) Red - Currently free of all extramarital cars, wrench-loose and fancy free :)

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jamescarruthers
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 2501
Joined: Mon Jul 07, 2003 3:19 pm
Location: Cambridge

Re: New Year, New 480!

Post by jamescarruthers » Mon Jan 13, 2020 1:57 pm

Martin this is great news that you are back with a 480. It's obviously in your blood now. Well done mate. Look forward to seeing you at a meet this year!

Couldn't help notice that the speedo needs is massively under reading at rest! Brave pills required to pop it off and put it back on at the right place. Although it sounds like Brinkie will be kindly sending you a replacement so that problem will go in time. 

Are you going to do a full ignition service (plugs, leads, cap, arm) to see it she runs better?‎

Oh, and I don't think the lights can be got out of sync, so don't worry about winding them up and down. Follow Brinkie's resuscitation advice and get them popping up and down like crazy to clean the relay contacts and motor switches. Might be worth changing the pop-up gas struts too while you are working on this. ‎
1987 Volvo 480 ES, 507274, 217 - Red (Ness)
2006 Citroen C6 Exclusive 3.0 petrol/LPG
2008 Mini Cooper convertible (Mau)

Previous 480's:
J123 CFU -- ES
J449 MNL -- ES auto
D864 CPV -- ES
L691 JFC -- Turbo
F70 MNR -- ES
H858 FGV -- Turbo auto
E981 KHM -- ES (509849)

Martin Mc
480 Rookie
Posts: 457
Joined: Tue May 29, 2012 11:57 am

Re: New Year, New 480!

Post by Martin Mc » Tue Jan 14, 2020 4:23 pm

Hello folks,

WE HAVE LIFT OFF! Car is back from the garage, with full MOT (2 minor advisories) and good to go :D

The main focus to get her roadworthy again was the braking system. For the MOT she has had:
  • Front brake discs x2
    Front brake pads
    Rear brake discs[
    Rear brake pads
    1 rear caliper (the fitted item wasn't even Volvo on one side!!) :?
Grand total of £434 including labour and the MOT, which I can't really grumble at, given the excellent overall condition of everything else.

Very keen for my little parcel from the Netherlands to arrive now, which should mean we have a full set of working instruments by the weekend. The Brinkie magic has been worked again :) Hopefully the replacement relay will sort out the popup problem (jumping up and down with ignition on and headlamps switched off)... we shall see.

Many thanks to Jifflemon for sending me two heater control sliders, so that part of the dash looks pristine too - I shall pay it forward to another wedgie fan at the first opportunity of course!

I've had a quick 10 mile dash around the block, and if you think the moon is shining a little brighter this evening, it is just my broad grin in Lancashire, catching the light!

Best to all!

Martin
1991 ES White / 1995 ES Red / 1995 ES Red / 1994 S Black / 1995 Celebration Red / 1994 S Paris Blue / 1995 Celebration (again!) Red - Currently free of all extramarital cars, wrench-loose and fancy free :)

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jamescarruthers
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 2501
Joined: Mon Jul 07, 2003 3:19 pm
Location: Cambridge

Re: New Year, New 480!

Post by jamescarruthers » Tue Jan 14, 2020 4:53 pm

Brilliant!
1987 Volvo 480 ES, 507274, 217 - Red (Ness)
2006 Citroen C6 Exclusive 3.0 petrol/LPG
2008 Mini Cooper convertible (Mau)

Previous 480's:
J123 CFU -- ES
J449 MNL -- ES auto
D864 CPV -- ES
L691 JFC -- Turbo
F70 MNR -- ES
H858 FGV -- Turbo auto
E981 KHM -- ES (509849)

User avatar
dcwalker
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 1522
Joined: Sun Sep 16, 2012 12:30 pm
Location: York

Re: New Year, New 480!

Post by dcwalker » Tue Jan 14, 2020 6:10 pm

Excellent news!! :hopping:

David
Current: 1994 480 GT, 1996 460 CD & 1997 440 LE with lots of optional extras & 2007 V50 SE Sport
Previous: Celebration 331 (re-homed with Richard S), Celebration 467 (returned to Martin Mc); Celebration 346 (re-homed with Alan480); Celebration 269 (scrapped abandoned project), Celebration 73 (sold on after 6 years), 1992 ES, 1988 ES - and numerous other non-480 Volvos!

Martin Mc
480 Rookie
Posts: 457
Joined: Tue May 29, 2012 11:57 am

Re: New Year, New 480!

Post by Martin Mc » Sat Jan 18, 2020 5:44 pm

Ok, back to the electrical gremlins with the pop up lights.

I noticed that one of the bulbs in the DRL was a 21/5 w stop & tail lamp, rather than the recommended 21/4 w item, so I swapped both sides for the correct wattage bulbs (i.e. 21/4w)....

No difference :( - still got pop ups bouncing like crazy with ignition on and headlamps set to off.

Anyone have any more ideas about what I might try? I've swapped relays, to no avail.

No progress yet on the instrument cluster replacement, due to 'systems problems' with logistics companies meaning my newly renovated 'Brinkie Special' was delivered 201 miles (yes 201 full miles) from my address. To add insult to injury, because they've delivered it to an address with a different post code from mine (as you'd expect with 201 miles between front doors), they can't assist me due to 'Data Protection' issues. :nuts: :wall:

So, if I was able to make some small progress with my pop ups, at least that might help me feel a bit better about my lack of speedo, info centre and binnacle lighting... Do let me know if you have any ideas :)

All the best!

Martin
1991 ES White / 1995 ES Red / 1995 ES Red / 1994 S Black / 1995 Celebration Red / 1994 S Paris Blue / 1995 Celebration (again!) Red - Currently free of all extramarital cars, wrench-loose and fancy free :)

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dcwalker
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 1522
Joined: Sun Sep 16, 2012 12:30 pm
Location: York

Re: New Year, New 480!

Post by dcwalker » Sat Jan 18, 2020 6:45 pm

Hi Martin

The pop-up headlights are oh-so endearing on these cars, but they really do add a complication to things!

You say changing relays made no difference - presumably these are the ones that came in the car? So you've been able to compare and are certain they are the right relays?

You've changed the DRL bulbs - good, they should be 21/4 NOT 21/5, due to the off-set pins. What state are the bulb holders in? They tend to corrode and that might not be helping...

Is it both lights popping up randomly? Or just one? Do they ever do it together? If it's just one is it the same side as you have just changed the DRL?

My thinking is that if it's only ever one you might have a dodgy motor - I resolved a winking headlamp problem that way. Or perhaps the light-switch is faulty and making a random connection somewhere?

Oh yes, and once you turn the lights on do they come up together and behave properly then?

If you care to get together I have both a spare switch and a spare motor we could try...

David
Current: 1994 480 GT, 1996 460 CD & 1997 440 LE with lots of optional extras & 2007 V50 SE Sport
Previous: Celebration 331 (re-homed with Richard S), Celebration 467 (returned to Martin Mc); Celebration 346 (re-homed with Alan480); Celebration 269 (scrapped abandoned project), Celebration 73 (sold on after 6 years), 1992 ES, 1988 ES - and numerous other non-480 Volvos!

Martin Mc
480 Rookie
Posts: 457
Joined: Tue May 29, 2012 11:57 am

Re: New Year, New 480!

Post by Martin Mc » Sat Jan 18, 2020 10:45 pm

Hello David,

Many thanks for the reply. If you're able to click through this link https://i.imgur.com/ExyAvrr.mp4 you should see the dance of the two wedgie eyebrows :)

If it doesn't work, the symptoms are that when the ignition is on and headlamps on, the pop ups both work fine and stay up unaided. However when the light switch is turned off, the pop ups bob up and down intermittently. Occasionally on starting up, if the headlamps were up and switched off when the ignition was turned off, the pop ups both return to the down position and stay down. Then if the headlamps are switched on with the engine running, and then switched off, again whilst the ignition is still on / engine running, then the bobbing returns.

I will check the DRL bulb holders tomorrow - I do recollect that one is a bit furry I think.

Definitely up for a drive over to York at some point - perhaps we could organise for Norm and Mister H to come along too :)

All the best!

Martin
1991 ES White / 1995 ES Red / 1995 ES Red / 1994 S Black / 1995 Celebration Red / 1994 S Paris Blue / 1995 Celebration (again!) Red - Currently free of all extramarital cars, wrench-loose and fancy free :)

jifflemon
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 2464
Joined: Sat Dec 17, 2016 11:03 am

Re: New Year, New 480!

Post by jifflemon » Sun Jan 19, 2020 7:35 am

Have you tried the brinkie headlamp clean trick? Bridging the relay so the things pop up and down for 10 minutes?

Martin Mc
480 Rookie
Posts: 457
Joined: Tue May 29, 2012 11:57 am

Re: New Year, New 480!

Post by Martin Mc » Sun Jan 19, 2020 8:21 am

jifflemon wrote:
Sun Jan 19, 2020 7:35 am
Have you tried the brinkie headlamp clean trick? Bridging the relay so the things pop up and down for 10 minutes?
Will give that a go today & post an update later.

Whilst I'm on, your earlier post mentioned about 'getting rid of the sponges' - how do I go about that?

All the best!

Martin
1991 ES White / 1995 ES Red / 1995 ES Red / 1994 S Black / 1995 Celebration Red / 1994 S Paris Blue / 1995 Celebration (again!) Red - Currently free of all extramarital cars, wrench-loose and fancy free :)

User avatar
jamescarruthers
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 2501
Joined: Mon Jul 07, 2003 3:19 pm
Location: Cambridge

Re: New Year, New 480!

Post by jamescarruthers » Sun Jan 19, 2020 9:49 am

jifflemon wrote:
Sun Jan 19, 2020 7:35 am
Have you tried the brinkie headlamp clean trick? Bridging the relay so the things pop up and down for 10 minutes?
Plus one for this. Mine were pretty good after ‎20 year lay up and then got a bit of a mind of their own a few months after first use. I exercised them over a few days driving and they have been fine ever since which proves Brinkie's principle but actually his idea is better for cleaning the contacts switches in one session. 
1987 Volvo 480 ES, 507274, 217 - Red (Ness)
2006 Citroen C6 Exclusive 3.0 petrol/LPG
2008 Mini Cooper convertible (Mau)

Previous 480's:
J123 CFU -- ES
J449 MNL -- ES auto
D864 CPV -- ES
L691 JFC -- Turbo
F70 MNR -- ES
H858 FGV -- Turbo auto
E981 KHM -- ES (509849)

Norm57
Can tell where the 480 was built
Posts: 362
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2015 5:08 pm
Location: Knaresborough

Re: New Year, New 480!

Post by Norm57 » Sun Jan 19, 2020 1:11 pm

Martin Mc wrote:
Sat Jan 18, 2020 10:45 pm
Hello David,

Many thanks for the reply. If you're able to click through this link https://i.imgur.com/ExyAvrr.mp4 you should see the dance of the two wedgie eyebrows :)

If it doesn't work, the symptoms are that when the ignition is on and headlamps on, the pop ups both work fine and stay up unaided. However when the light switch is turned off, the pop ups bob up and down intermittently. Occasionally on starting up, if the headlamps were up and switched off when the ignition was turned off, the pop ups both return to the down position and stay down. Then if the headlamps are switched on with the engine running, and then switched off, again whilst the ignition is still on / engine running, then the bobbing returns.

I will check the DRL bulb holders tomorrow - I do recollect that one is a bit furry I think.

Definitely up for a drive over to York at some point - perhaps we could organise for Norm and Mister H to come along too :)

All the best!

Martin
Martin, meeting up with us fellow northerners is a great idea. My celeb is in hibernation till March. A trip in the dales round about the 15th would be good to shake the cobwebs out. Great roads to drive and some good pubs for lunch, what’s everyone’s view on that?

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brinkie
480 Connoisseur
Posts: 857
Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2014 11:20 am
Location: The Netherlands
Contact:

Re: New Year, New 480!

Post by brinkie » Sun Jan 19, 2020 3:52 pm

Ooohhh... I've visited the Yorkshire Dales in 2017, in a LHD V70 which is a good drivers car (thanks to the Ford Mondeo underpinnings) but I think that wasn't as much fun as it would in a 480. Took a detour from the A65 (to Malham Cove) and more or less followed the signs "Unsuitable for HGVs" :D
Robert.

Present cars: 1994 Volvo 480 GT 2.0i, 1999 Volvo S70 2.5 Europa, 2010 Volvo V70 2.0F Momentum

Norm57
Can tell where the 480 was built
Posts: 362
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2015 5:08 pm
Location: Knaresborough

Re: New Year, New 480!

Post by Norm57 » Sun Jan 19, 2020 3:59 pm

brinkie wrote:
Sun Jan 19, 2020 3:52 pm
Ooohhh... I've visited the Yorkshire Dales in 2017, in a LHD V70 which is a good drivers car (thanks to the Ford Mondeo underpinnings) but I think that wasn't as much fun as it would in a 480. Took a detour from the A65 (to Malham Cove) and more or less followed the signs "Unsuitable for HGVs" :D
Well Brinkie if we go you are welcome to join us, as you say there are great drives thru the dales and plenty of b&bs march won’t be busy.

Martin Mc
480 Rookie
Posts: 457
Joined: Tue May 29, 2012 11:57 am

Re: New Year, New 480!

Post by Martin Mc » Sun Jan 19, 2020 4:13 pm

Norm57 wrote:
Sun Jan 19, 2020 1:11 pm
Martin, meeting up with us fellow northerners is a great idea. My celeb is in hibernation till March. A trip in the dales round about the 15th would be good to shake the cobwebs out. Great roads to drive and some good pubs for lunch, what’s everyone’s view on that?
Definitely up for that! Time for a new thread, perhaps? Yorkshire Dales March Mini-Meet!

Pencilled the date in the diary now :)

Martin
1991 ES White / 1995 ES Red / 1995 ES Red / 1994 S Black / 1995 Celebration Red / 1994 S Paris Blue / 1995 Celebration (again!) Red - Currently free of all extramarital cars, wrench-loose and fancy free :)

User avatar
dcwalker
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 1522
Joined: Sun Sep 16, 2012 12:30 pm
Location: York

Re: New Year, New 480!

Post by dcwalker » Sun Jan 19, 2020 7:41 pm

Great idea Norm, I'd be up for that too - I love the Dales :D

It's in the diary!!

David
Current: 1994 480 GT, 1996 460 CD & 1997 440 LE with lots of optional extras & 2007 V50 SE Sport
Previous: Celebration 331 (re-homed with Richard S), Celebration 467 (returned to Martin Mc); Celebration 346 (re-homed with Alan480); Celebration 269 (scrapped abandoned project), Celebration 73 (sold on after 6 years), 1992 ES, 1988 ES - and numerous other non-480 Volvos!

Norm57
Can tell where the 480 was built
Posts: 362
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2015 5:08 pm
Location: Knaresborough

Re: New Year, New 480!

Post by Norm57 » Sun Jan 19, 2020 8:35 pm

dcwalker wrote:
Sun Jan 19, 2020 7:41 pm
Great idea Norm, I'd be up for that too - I love the Dales :D

It's in the diary!!

David
Anyone who is interested in a mini meet on the 15th March just let me know either this thread or pm me. I will try and sort a scenic route with some decent driving roads and a pub meal. Bear in mind I am not in Sylvia's class when it comes to this kind of thing but will give it a go. I am thinking that Skipton would be an ideal start point being near the dales and Lancashire. Maybe take in Settle Hawes Aysgarth falls for a photo shoot then maybe turning south or heading to Richmond or somewhere nearby for a meal.

Martin Mc
480 Rookie
Posts: 457
Joined: Tue May 29, 2012 11:57 am

Re: New Year, New 480!

Post by Martin Mc » Sat Jan 25, 2020 1:28 pm

Hello again folks :)

Well the BRINKIE MAGIC has been worked once again, and I now how a nice smooth working speedometer, odometer, rev counter and info-centre. Having driven the car for a couple of weeks without any idea how fast I was going ;) it is hard to explain how much the simple pleasure of seeing the speedo needle moving smoothly round the dial represents. Robert, I am forever in your debt!

Of course you get one thing fixed and another immediately manifests itself - this time it looks like the front offside caliper is locking up, causing the disc to bind and overheat. My friendly local garage tells me that the bleed nipple has been sheared off at some point, and they suspect the brake hose may have collapsed - it is going in on Monday to be sorted.

The Waterfalls Mini-Meet is looking more and more like a go-er!

Will post pics a bit later.

Martin
1991 ES White / 1995 ES Red / 1995 ES Red / 1994 S Black / 1995 Celebration Red / 1994 S Paris Blue / 1995 Celebration (again!) Red - Currently free of all extramarital cars, wrench-loose and fancy free :)

Norm57
Can tell where the 480 was built
Posts: 362
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2015 5:08 pm
Location: Knaresborough

Re: New Year, New 480!

Post by Norm57 » Sat Jan 25, 2020 1:57 pm

Martin Mc wrote:
Sat Jan 25, 2020 1:28 pm
Hello again folks :)

Well the BRINKIE MAGIC has been worked once again, and I now how a nice smooth working speedometer, odometer, rev counter and info-centre. Having driven the car for a couple of weeks without any idea how fast I was going ;) it is hard to explain how much the simple pleasure of seeing the speedo needle moving smoothly round the dial represents. Robert, I am forever in your debt!

Of course you get one thing fixed and another immediately manifests itself - this time it looks like the front offside caliper is locking up, causing the disc to bind and overheat. My friendly local garage tells me that the bleed nipple has been sheared off at some point, and they suspect the brake hose may have collapsed - it is going in on Monday to be sorted.

The Waterfalls Mini-Meet is looking more and more like a go-er!

Will post pics a bit later.

Martin
The old Brinkie magic never fails! Glad you are in for the dales along with a few others should be a good day out.

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