85 740 - instrument panel is posessed!! - Page 2

FullEnglish · May 27th, 2014, 21:59

I didn't test the function of any of the gauges with the Yazaki unit, but the illumination bahaved in the same strange way (ie the indicator arrows lit up instead of the panel backlights). It's almost as though there's a plug connected upside down, only there isn't.

This is Sweden, you can't move without tripping over Volvo parts!

bob12 · May 27th, 2014, 23:00

Maybe that's your first problem ... amongst others ... also identify the original cluster maker. Blue to blue only one way! I also reckon that your photo'ed cluster must have been made about 1992'ish, and the speedo has the 5 pin push socket (should you care to remove the speedo from the cluster).

Best of luck... and let us know how you get on - Bob

FullEnglish · Jun 1st, 2014, 16:27

Cheers Bob.

I'm going to collect another instrument panel tomorrow which will hopefully sort it out. I can't find any reference to "christmas tree illumination" instrument panel faults on the net, but I've spoken to two people in the last few days who have had a similar problem, in both cases cured by fitting a new panel.

I started to doubt more and more that the engine in this Volvo is original. It has OBD1, no maunal idle adjustment on the throttle body etc, and it goes like stink. However, I've checked the paperwork and the stickers in the engine bay and it is indeed a 1985 740 with a factory fitted B230F. It's too early to have centeral locking, but it is galvanized. Oddball Swedish Volvo!

I'm going to drive it to the North Cape at midsummer, that's as far north as it's possible to go in Scandanavia, well north of the Arctic Circle. It's been too long since I did something silly like that.

FullEnglish · Jun 1st, 2014, 21:10

Actually, ignore that. The inspection document I was looking at was completely wrong. It's a 1988 model. D'oh!

bob12 · Jun 1st, 2014, 21:22

Whatever it is will be truly reveled by the Vin No and the data plate!! I suggest you work out how to decode them!! Of course, unless they have been changed as well

FullEnglish · Jun 4th, 2014, 10:59

Finally got to the bottom of this, albeit not that quickly, as I have a lot on at the moment and other cars to use...

Anyway, the speedo plug (2), as seen in the picture, is in fact connected upside down. See my previous comment about "it's like there's a plug connected upside down..." I feel a bit silly, but not totally stupid about this. The plug was clearly never intended to be connected upside down, and the orientation of labels (put on by a previous owner) don't reflect the fact that the plug was upside down. Something here has clearly been butchered in the past, but it works as it is.

I just don't know how I missed the fact that the plug was upside down when I first disconnected it, I'm usually pretty methodical.

bob12 · Jun 4th, 2014, 14:54

Good to know you sorted it out ... and that an older loom will connect to a more modern cluster unit if the loom plugs are 'adapted' to fit the sockets.

If it had been a totally 100% compatible loom, as I said before, it would have had blue plugs that fit the blue sockets, and the other spade type socket you mixed up couldn't have been put in the wrong way round as it has a one way keyway.

Cheers, Bob.

FullEnglish · Jun 4th, 2014, 20:51

Thanks for all your input Bob, I appreciate it. It's good to bounce ideas off someone.

OldBlueVolvo · Jun 8th, 2014, 22:12

I've repaired a couple of VDO clocks by replacing two electrolytic capacitors inside.

FullEnglish · Jun 12th, 2014, 22:20

I might try that. I have a spare working clock, but of course it is for the Yazaki cluster, not the VDO cluster. Grrr.

Jun 4th, 2014, 14:54	#17
bob12 bob12 Last Online: Today 18:41 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Woking	Good to know you sorted it out ... and that an older loom will connect to a more modern cluster unit if the loom plugs are 'adapted' to fit the sockets. If it had been a totally 100% compatible loom, as I said before, it would have had blue plugs that fit the blue sockets, and the other spade type socket you mixed up couldn't have been put in the wrong way round as it has a one way keyway. Cheers, Bob. Last edited by bob12; Jun 4th, 2014 at 15:00.

Jun 8th, 2014, 22:12	#19
OldBlueVolvo VOC Member Last Online: May 4th, 2023 20:38 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: West Sussex	I've repaired a couple of VDO clocks by replacing two electrolytic capacitors inside. __________________ William 745 GL - 1986, B230K 745 GLE - 1987, B230E

May 27th, 2014, 21:59	#11
FullEnglish Senior Member Last Online: Apr 24th, 2016 08:02 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Dalkarlsberg, Sweden	I didn't test the function of any of the gauges with the Yazaki unit, but the illumination bahaved in the same strange way (ie the indicator arrows lit up instead of the panel backlights). It's almost as though there's a plug connected upside down, only there isn't. This is Sweden, you can't move without tripping over Volvo parts!

May 27th, 2014, 23:00	#12
bob12 bob12 Last Online: Today 18:41 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Woking	Maybe that's your first problem ... amongst others ... also identify the original cluster maker. Blue to blue only one way! I also reckon that your photo'ed cluster must have been made about 1992'ish, and the speedo has the 5 pin push socket (should you care to remove the speedo from the cluster). Best of luck... and let us know how you get on - Bob

Jun 1st, 2014, 16:27	#13
FullEnglish Senior Member Last Online: Apr 24th, 2016 08:02 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Dalkarlsberg, Sweden	Cheers Bob. I'm going to collect another instrument panel tomorrow which will hopefully sort it out. I can't find any reference to "christmas tree illumination" instrument panel faults on the net, but I've spoken to two people in the last few days who have had a similar problem, in both cases cured by fitting a new panel. I started to doubt more and more that the engine in this Volvo is original. It has OBD1, no maunal idle adjustment on the throttle body etc, and it goes like stink. However, I've checked the paperwork and the stickers in the engine bay and it is indeed a 1985 740 with a factory fitted B230F. It's too early to have centeral locking, but it is galvanized. Oddball Swedish Volvo! I'm going to drive it to the North Cape at midsummer, that's as far north as it's possible to go in Scandanavia, well north of the Arctic Circle. It's been too long since I did something silly like that.

Jun 1st, 2014, 21:10	#14
FullEnglish Senior Member Last Online: Apr 24th, 2016 08:02 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Dalkarlsberg, Sweden	Actually, ignore that. The inspection document I was looking at was completely wrong. It's a 1988 model. D'oh!

Jun 1st, 2014, 21:22	#15
bob12 bob12 Last Online: Today 18:41 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Woking	Whatever it is will be truly reveled by the Vin No and the data plate!! I suggest you work out how to decode them!! Of course, unless they have been changed as well

Jun 4th, 2014, 10:59	#16
FullEnglish Senior Member Last Online: Apr 24th, 2016 08:02 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Dalkarlsberg, Sweden	Finally got to the bottom of this, albeit not that quickly, as I have a lot on at the moment and other cars to use... Anyway, the speedo plug (2), as seen in the picture, is in fact connected upside down. See my previous comment about "it's like there's a plug connected upside down..." I feel a bit silly, but not totally stupid about this. The plug was clearly never intended to be connected upside down, and the orientation of labels (put on by a previous owner) don't reflect the fact that the plug was upside down. Something here has clearly been butchered in the past, but it works as it is. I just don't know how I missed the fact that the plug was upside down when I first disconnected it, I'm usually pretty methodical.

Jun 4th, 2014, 20:51	#18
FullEnglish Senior Member Last Online: Apr 24th, 2016 08:02 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Dalkarlsberg, Sweden	Thanks for all your input Bob, I appreciate it. It's good to bounce ideas off someone.

Jun 12th, 2014, 22:20	#20
FullEnglish Senior Member Last Online: Apr 24th, 2016 08:02 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Dalkarlsberg, Sweden	I might try that. I have a spare working clock, but of course it is for the Yazaki cluster, not the VDO cluster. Grrr.

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