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Intermittant Speedometer operation 700 1989

posted by  SteveB_calgary on  Mon Nov 30 20:22 CST 2015
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last visit: Sun Jan 5 10:51 CST 2014
[RELATED]

I have a 1989 740 GL wagon 5 speed 2.3 single overhead cam with 170,000 kilometers on it.

My speedometer has become intermittent in operation. Sometimes it will be fine and operate without any problem. Other times it may not operate from a stand still and suddenly work to fail again shortly after. It is worse when the car is cold than hot inside.

I feel the problem is in a poor connection to the speedometer as when it quits along with the odometers I can thump the top of the dash and it will usually start working again to quit if I go over a expansion joint or a pot hole. Thumping the dash will generally make it work so I tend to think it is not at the sending unit on the differential.

I've had the instrument cluster out about four times to see if the connection is poor. The plug I assume to be the speedometer connection is the white one with four wires that plugs into the base of the back of the speedo (VDO type). The connection appears to be good but the problem still persists. I have cleaned the contact strips on the printed circuit, but without any real improvement.

Everything else on the instrument cluster works fine.

Would anyone have any ideas as to what I should examine to see if there is something I can do to fix this issue ?

Thank you,
Steve B
Calgary AB Canada








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    Intermittant Speedometer operation 700 1989

    posted by  spasske on  Thu Dec 3 09:37 CST 2015
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    last visit: Thu Oct 23 10:11 CST 2014
    [RELATED]

    Sounds like the speedo cable is frayed. Both my 1989 and 1990 had this issue. It frays by the top of the differential.

    I replaced the pigtails,3523813,on the harness, but apparently you can replace the whole harness, 3523912 :
    https://www.brickboard.com/FAQ/700-900/ElectricalInstruments.htm#Speedometer_Failures

    I believe the added a bracket,3530587, to support it on later models you can get.
    http://volvopartslisle.com/part/OEM-Volvo-Part-3523912/Wiring-Harness

    --
    Paul NW Indiana '89 744 Turbo 180K/ '90 745 turbo 145K









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      Intermittant Speedometer operation 700 1989

      posted by  SteveB_calgary on  Thu Dec 31 19:41 CST 2015
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      last visit: Sun Jan 5 10:51 CST 2014
      [RELATED]

      So..... if the harness is frayed on the back axle to the sensor... why would thumping the dash make the speedo work?

      I'll examine the harness when I next have the car on the hoist but I somehow don't think it is this








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        Intermittant Speedometer operation 700 1989

        posted by  spasske on  Mon Jan 4 08:31 CST 2016
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        last visit: Thu Oct 23 10:11 CST 2014
        [RELATED]

        I did not read the thumping part of the post. If that goes "fix" it the cable is not the problem. Unless it is a coincidental thumping timed to cable connection....
        --
        Paul NW Indiana '89 744 Turbo 180K/ '90 745 turbo 145K








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    Intermittant Speedometer operation 700 1989

    uid 46171's pic
    posted by  kittysgreyvolvo on  Thu Dec 3 05:35 CST 2015
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    last visit: Sat Oct 18 15:23 CST 2014
    [RELATED]

    Hi Steve,

    I dunno, yet the Volvo 700-900-90 FAQ lists:

    https://www.brickboard.com/FAQ/700-900/ElectricalSpeedometerRepair.htm

    https://www.brickboard.com/FAQ/700-900/ElectricalInstrumentClusterInterchangeability.htm

    https://www.brickboard.com/FAQ/700-900/ElectricalInstrumentsPanelRepair.htm

    See more here at:

    https://www.brickboard.com/FAQ/700-900/

    Also, other folks with actual experience with your problem will chime in.

    Also, you can use the Brickboard.com search feature to find otehr threads and articles that may contain a solution for you, or help you with your diagnosis, at least.

    Hope that helps.

    Thank you,

    Duffed.
    --
    Jonathan Harshman Winters III: The Mightiest, Greatest, & Most Powerful Comedian & Comedic Actor North America in Perpetuity







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