Volvo 740 GL Question and Problem :(

Hey all, first post here, and I have to say that from the looks of things, you seem to have a neat little community goin here. Anyway, on with the biz.

I have an old 1989 Volvo 740 GL Sedan.

First off, I am looking to find some stock/OEM fog lights/brackets for the front. For anyone familiar with this, they are made of thick plastic and apparently bolted onto the "roof" of the inner front bumber, then attaching to the back of the fog light housing. Well, the previous owner before me had broken them off, and tried to glue them back on. They fell off predictably, and I can't seem to find any suitable place to mount another fog light, so I need to find a stock bracket. I've tried calling numerous salvage/wreck yards and no-one seems to carry any. Can anyone help?

Secondly, My fuel gauge never worked properly when i bought the car. The needle will just move around to any position it wants, and I can never tell if it is accurate. Sometimes, it even 'jumps' quickly back and forth. I'm thinking it may be a loose ground lead. Any suggestions on where to begin diagnosing this problem?

Thanks, appreciate any help

[drivesavolvo]

Hi, i have brackets available.

01942 322880 daytime.

fuel guage problem. this is common to the 740 89, 90 and 91 models.

your only solution is go to a main agent and spend approx £65.00 plus vat on a new gauge.

regards, Keith

[BillB]

I believe some people have had success re-soldering the fuel gauge circuit. Dry joints are a Volvo issue. If it isn't the gauge you have a faulty sender in the tank - see 700/900 FAQ. Regards.

[madder93]

Nine times out of ten it is linked with temp gauge, both insts share same power supply, usualy a bad earth. unfortunatly which one. there are so many. between senders and panel. I am afraid it is trial and error. Been there, done that, Apperantly Volvo do not know the real reason or cure for it. I have changed the whole panel only to find to days later we have same problem. x(

Hmm . . . okay, where would you suggest i begin to diagnose this problem?

Thanks Keith, I may need to give you a call bout that sometime here. okay, so you think it may just be a faulty gauge? Any suggestions on a website or place down here in Cornwall where I may be able to obtain one? Thanks again

[BillB]

I would check the sender feed wire first (sender to gauge). I think it's the grey wire coming off the sender. I have an estate so I'm not sure how you access it on a sedan/ saloon. The Haynes manual gives resistance values from empty to full tank. You could connect, say empty resistance value, half and full values to see if the gauge records empty, half and full. If it does repeatedly, you know the sender is faulty (known issue and expensive). If the gauge doesn't respond, it's the gauge or, as I said above, the circuit controlling it. If the temp gauge works normally then it isn't grounds or voltage stabiliser (otherwise it may be that as suggested). Note there was a change (can't remember the year) in the sender characteristic i.e. one is 0 ohms empty, the other is 0 ohms full. Haynes tells you this. Of course for 0 ohms you connect grey wire to ground (BUT CHECK IT IS GREY). Regards.