Some electrical problems
Moderators: jifflemon, coyote1980, Rachel
Some electrical problems
I have been trying to point out the problem with my 480 for quite some time now and I can't quite figure it out. Most of my dash does not work including the speedo, odometer and info center, only the backlight, indication lights and rev counter, but now the backlight is gone too. Recently some new problems appeared apart from the previous ones, when I turn the ignition on the car it completely dies and it isn't until I open the bonnet that the battery starts functioning. I also noticed that the car radio does not turn off completely and I can still hear some faint audio coming from the speakers.
Help me out here please.
Help me out here please.
- WRDendy
- Can tell where the 480 was built
- Posts: 326
- Joined: Wed Dec 30, 2009 5:33 pm
- Location: Oxford
Re: Some electrical problems
Start here for your dash problems:
viewtopic.php?f=24&t=35684
Sounds like a combination of dry joints and blown bulbs.
We might need some more information for the other problems - thinking out loud the only electrical difference raising the bonnet would make would be opening the microswitch that disables the pop-up motors. Definitely more information needed for the radio - what model is it, does it switch on and off correctly using the front controls, does it respond to the switched live on the loom, what exactly can you hear when it's off etc.
I see this is your first post, so hello and welcome!
viewtopic.php?f=24&t=35684
Sounds like a combination of dry joints and blown bulbs.
We might need some more information for the other problems - thinking out loud the only electrical difference raising the bonnet would make would be opening the microswitch that disables the pop-up motors. Definitely more information needed for the radio - what model is it, does it switch on and off correctly using the front controls, does it respond to the switched live on the loom, what exactly can you hear when it's off etc.
I see this is your first post, so hello and welcome!
Formerly known as 'Jaster'
Current: '94 GT & '88 ES
Former: '89 ES
Current: '94 GT & '88 ES
Former: '89 ES
Re: Some electrical problems
I think the positive pole made contact with the bonnet and shorted the battery, so I have to excuse myself for that one. However...
I have already resoldered all the connection points on the dash unit, to no avail. But I don't think the main issue is with the unit itself, because I have seen the IC light up and do the cycling check. And it was only yesterday the backlight was working.
The previous owner had to splice the original cable to fit a blaupunkt SQM20 with older connections. It lacks the one of the wires for permanent voltage which perhaps is why the radio never really turns off. What I hear is just whatever channel I have tuned in. Image: https://imgur.com/gallery/pQ8Ei0t
I have already resoldered all the connection points on the dash unit, to no avail. But I don't think the main issue is with the unit itself, because I have seen the IC light up and do the cycling check. And it was only yesterday the backlight was working.
The previous owner had to splice the original cable to fit a blaupunkt SQM20 with older connections. It lacks the one of the wires for permanent voltage which perhaps is why the radio never really turns off. What I hear is just whatever channel I have tuned in. Image: https://imgur.com/gallery/pQ8Ei0t
Re: Some electrical problems
Hello and welcome!
480s and their electrics . Enough sometimes to drive anyone mad as it can seem as if the car is possessed! Don't worry - I am sure between us on here we can get you to the bottom of the problems!
Which model do you have, and is your car post 1991?
If it is 1991 onwards, a possible contender for your IC problems lies in the fuse box - check that fuses 21 and 22 haven't blown and that the orange "bridge" is properly in place in slot 23.
Under the air filter box you will find the plug connection for the speedo - double check that is clean and making a good connection.
As Jaster says, the other things might need a bit more thought. If the battery positive pole made contact with the bonnet it must be sitting too high. Do you have the right battery/is it properly located on its tray?
My guess is you're right about the radio...
Keep asking and good luck!
David
480s and their electrics . Enough sometimes to drive anyone mad as it can seem as if the car is possessed! Don't worry - I am sure between us on here we can get you to the bottom of the problems!
Which model do you have, and is your car post 1991?
If it is 1991 onwards, a possible contender for your IC problems lies in the fuse box - check that fuses 21 and 22 haven't blown and that the orange "bridge" is properly in place in slot 23.
Under the air filter box you will find the plug connection for the speedo - double check that is clean and making a good connection.
As Jaster says, the other things might need a bit more thought. If the battery positive pole made contact with the bonnet it must be sitting too high. Do you have the right battery/is it properly located on its tray?
My guess is you're right about the radio...
Keep asking and good luck!
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!
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!
Re: Some electrical problems
It is an 87 model
- brinkie
- 480 Connoisseur
- Posts: 863
- Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2014 11:20 am
- Location: The Netherlands
- Contact:
Re: Some electrical problems
Model year 87 or late 87 which makes it model year 88? That might sound trivial but the electrics were changed in 1988, and again in 1989, 1991 1/2 (major change) and 1993 model years. Does your instrument cluster have yellow and red connectors? If yes, it's MY 1988. Blue and yellow makes it MY 1987.
Robert.
Present cars: 1994 Volvo 480 GT 2.0i, 1999 Volvo S70 2.5 Europa, 2010 Volvo V70 2.0F Momentum
Present cars: 1994 Volvo 480 GT 2.0i, 1999 Volvo S70 2.5 Europa, 2010 Volvo V70 2.0F Momentum
Re: Some electrical problems
It is an 87, with blue and yellow connectors. Here is the diagram for the fusebox which might be useful: http://imgur.com/gallery/GqL2Glt
Re: Some electrical problems
Do you mean these red connectors? image: http://imgur.com/gallery/x0r29yhdcwalker wrote: ↑Fri Aug 06, 2021 7:26 amHello and welcome!
480s and their electrics . Enough sometimes to drive anyone mad as it can seem as if the car is possessed! Don't worry - I am sure between us on here we can get you to the bottom of the problems!
Which model do you have, and is your car post 1991?
If it is 1991 onwards, a possible contender for your IC problems lies in the fuse box - check that fuses 21 and 22 haven't blown and that the orange "bridge" is properly in place in slot 23.
Under the air filter box you will find the plug connection for the speedo - double check that is clean and making a good connection.
As Jaster says, the other things might need a bit more thought. If the battery positive pole made contact with the bonnet it must be sitting too high. Do you have the right battery/is it properly located on its tray?
My guess is you're right about the radio...
Keep asking and good luck!
David
I reconnected them and sprayed some contact cleaner.
Re: Some electrical problems
Now, compare the colour of your instrument panel plugs, with the plugs on the wiring loom.Max12 wrote: ↑Fri Aug 06, 2021 11:56 amIt is an 87, with blue and yellow connectors. Here is the diagram for the fusebox which might be useful: http://imgur.com/gallery/GqL2Glt
they Should be the same....
Re: Some electrical problems
Any suggestions, guys? I am still stuck with this. Pretty much everything works except the dashboard..
Re: Some electrical problems
Could you explain to me, please?
https://imgur.com/a/QbAk1Cn I checked this underneath, seems to be in order.
https://imgur.com/a/QMjSGIj https://imgur.com/a/TRCwDpk Anything indicative with these cables? think they are radio.
https://imgur.com/a/QbAk1Cn I checked this underneath, seems to be in order.
https://imgur.com/a/QMjSGIj https://imgur.com/a/TRCwDpk Anything indicative with these cables? think they are radio.
Re: Some electrical problems
So.... when you said:
If you had, you need to make sure that the colour of the wiring plugs matches the colours of the plugs on the dashboard. All dashboards look broadly similar, but the wiring differed massively until about 89.
The cluster is repairable, assuming you've the right one. See this thread
I assumed you'd had the dashboard out?Max12 wrote: ↑Fri Aug 06, 2021 11:56 amIt is an 87, with blue and yellow connectors. Here is the diagram for the fusebox which might be useful: http://imgur.com/gallery/GqL2Glt
If you had, you need to make sure that the colour of the wiring plugs matches the colours of the plugs on the dashboard. All dashboards look broadly similar, but the wiring differed massively until about 89.
The cluster is repairable, assuming you've the right one. See this thread
Re: Some electrical problems
Yes I did follow all those steps with the instrument cluster, but I don't know what you mean matching the colour of the plugs. In reference to what, the fuses?jifflemon wrote: ↑Sat Nov 13, 2021 6:50 pmSo.... when you said:
I assumed you'd had the dashboard out?Max12 wrote: ↑Fri Aug 06, 2021 11:56 amIt is an 87, with blue and yellow connectors. Here is the diagram for the fusebox which might be useful: http://imgur.com/gallery/GqL2Glt
If you had, you need to make sure that the colour of the wiring plugs matches the colours of the plugs on the dashboard. All dashboards look broadly similar, but the wiring differed massively until about 89.
The cluster is repairable, assuming you've the right one. See this thread
- dragonflyjewels
- 480 Is my middle name
- Posts: 1592
- Joined: Sat Dec 18, 2010 10:38 am
- Location: Norfolk
Re: Some electrical problems
Jeff's talking about the connections on the back of the dashboard cluster (rev counter/speedo/info centre). The plugs on the cables should be the same colour as the connectors on the cluster that they go onto. Later cars are mostly one green and one grey, as pictured on the thread Jeff's linked to above.
I've been trying to talk to Jeff this evening as well but no reply so he must be busy, hence I've jumped in.
I've been trying to talk to Jeff this evening as well but no reply so he must be busy, hence I've jumped in.
Last edited by dragonflyjewels on Sat Nov 13, 2021 8:15 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Sylvia
Snazzy - 1993 Paris Blue ES red dipstick 2.0i bought 2001
Lethal Lily - 1991 White Turbo
Paris the Unicorn - 1991 Paris Edition
hubby has
Sven - 1994 Racing Green GT
Evil Eva - 1992 Paris Blue Turbo
no previous 480s - can't bear to sell any
Snazzy - 1993 Paris Blue ES red dipstick 2.0i bought 2001
Lethal Lily - 1991 White Turbo
Paris the Unicorn - 1991 Paris Edition
hubby has
Sven - 1994 Racing Green GT
Evil Eva - 1992 Paris Blue Turbo
no previous 480s - can't bear to sell any
Re: Some electrical problems
Two multiplugs go into the cluster. The connectors at the ends of the wiring will be yellow and blue or yellow and red or red and blue on your early car (later cars are grey and green). Where they plug in have plastic surrounds and they MUST be the same colours as the plugs.
Hope that helps!
David
Hope that helps!
David
Last edited by dcwalker on Sat Nov 13, 2021 8:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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!
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!
Re: Some electrical problems
So in the image, notice that the two plugs FOR the dash board are the same colour as the plugs ON the dashboard?
Are yours the same? not as in the same as the image, but if you've got red and blue wiring plugs, you should have red and blue dashboard plugs.
Re: Some electrical problems
yes they are matching.
Re: Some electrical problems
Ok, so what currently does and doesn’t work?
Have you checked that the dimmer rheostat isn’t turned down?
If you shine a light onto the infocentre, can you see any activity on it?
Have you checked that the dimmer rheostat isn’t turned down?
If you shine a light onto the infocentre, can you see any activity on it?