volvo amazon wires, lights??

[oscar spicer]

Hi when I bought my volvo 122s the dash board backing lights wouldnt work I had alook under at the wires and one wasnt connected so I connected it and the green backing light now works but it stays on non stop even when the keys arnt in the ignition could someone tell me why this is thanks, oscar.

[Derek UK]

Connected the wire to the wrong contact? Wire for the dash lights now on the power in tab?

[Faust]

Sounds like you've wired the dash lights into a permanent live by mistake.

With the lights on, get a multimeter or test screwdriver and identify a wire/contact that is ONLY live when the lights themselves are on.

Connect the dash lights wire to that and you should be OK... should be quite a simple fix.

It might be easier to remove the lights pull switch from the dash as it'll save your back and knees - there is not a lot of room under an Amazon dash!

[Underdrive]

I don't want to upset anybody here but I have seen several posts like this about basic electrical wiring problems/questions, doesn't anyone look at the wiring diagrams in the Haynes manual? It's very easy to see what wires go from one component to another and what colour it should be. The wiring in these cars is very basic compared to modern cars and the diagrams in the manual are much easier to follow. Even if some of the wires have been replaced or modified it shouldn't be too difficult to tell what ought to be there. On all Amazons the instrument lights wires come from the lighting switch. (some models have a separate wire to the heater control backlight, but still from the lighting switch).

[oscar spicer]

Hi, thanks for the help I only plugged it into the one I did as it was the only one that didnt already have a lead plugged in it also it wasnt directly connected into it it was connected with some sort of adapter so you could connect 2 wires into one connector maybe it was connected to the wrong one I will try connecting to other ones also im no ver clued up to all of this as I havernt had much experience will cars as only 17 and dont come from a mechanical family

[Faust]

Originally Posted by Underdrive

I don't want to upset anybody here but I have seen several posts like this about basic electrical wiring problems/questions, doesn't anyone look at the wiring diagrams in the Haynes manual? It's very easy to see what wires go from one component to another and what colour it should be. The wiring in these cars is very basic compared to modern cars and the diagrams in the manual are much easier to follow. Even if some of the wires have been replaced or modified it shouldn't be too difficult to tell what ought to be there. On all Amazons the instrument lights wires come from the lighting switch. (some models have a separate wire to the heater control backlight, but still from the lighting switch).

Agree with what you are saying but unfortunately the wiring diagram can't always be relied upon as previous owners may have made alterations etc. to the stock wiring...

For example, few years back on one of my many Ford Capris: I discovered that some kind soul had decided to splice a length of domestic cable (looked like it was from an extension lead) into the wiring behind the dash! Needless to say it was removed and I correctly rewired the relevant circuits.

Also, if people don’t have much experience with car electrics, the wiring diagrams can be a bit daunting - especially the black and white versions found in older Haynes manuals.

[Faust]

Originally Posted by oscar spicer

Hi, thanks for the help I only plugged it into the one I did as it was the only one that didnt already have a lead plugged in it also it wasnt directly connected into it it was connected with some sort of adapter so you could connect 2 wires into one connector maybe it was connected to the wrong one I will try connecting to other ones also im no ver clued up to all of this as I havernt had much experience will cars as only 17 and dont come from a mechanical family

Fair play to you for trying to sort the problem out - don't worry about a lack of experience as we all had to start somewhere.

To identify live wires, I like to use one of these as they can be a bit more user friendly than a multimeter.

• Just attach the crocodile clip to a good earth (door hinges work well for this).
• Use the probe to find a live feed from the lights when they are on - the lightbulb in the handle will illuminate when you've found one. If the feed dies when you turn the lights off, then you've found a switched live.
• Connect the dash light wire to this and it should be ok.

[Derek UK]

This is from a 120 auto diagram. Full coloured version available if you pm me a home email address. White wires marked here as a dotted pink.

[Faust]

Originally Posted by Derek UK

This is from a 120 auto diagram. Full coloured version available if you pm me a home email address. White wires marked here as a dotted pink.

PM sent... thanks for the offer.

[volvogv]

Wow...That's like seeing color television for the first time!