Posted a message about the instrument lights not working - finally decided to dig in there and I think I found (at least part of) the problem.

In removing the rheostat I followed down the wires and found that the brown wire was (and still is) just 'dangling' down (clipped or broken off). Removed the instrument cluster and cannot find where it connects. Hope I am making sense.

Please help - is there any diagrams that would show where the wire goes? Should it connect at some other location than the back of the instrument cluster?

As always - thanks for the help.

Ted in ALbuquerque

1988 240GL - 227,000 mi.

This is the Haynes schematic for the '84 and newer 240s. It may offer some guidance. Some folks resist the Haynes schematics -- but I've had good luck using them.

Don:

Thanks for the info. I hope I am getting closer. Looking at the diagram I notice one of the 'brown' wires goes down to the gear position light - according to my daughter this works. It appears to be the wire that feeds the instrument cluster and panel lights as these do not work. Trouble is that the 'disconnected' wire goes down past the connector and seems to be looking for a home (no connector at the end). Any thoughts?

Also, on another subject (and a long shot) - did you used to live in West Memphis Arkansas? I had a college buddy named Tom Foster (father's name was Don)and have lost touch with him.

Thanks - Ted in Albuquerque

"...to the gear position light - according to my daughter this works..."

Probably good to confirm this and that the rheostat controls brightness.

"...appears to be the wire that feeds the instrument cluster and panel lights..."

That tends to indict the wire (or a connection along the wire) going from the back of the rheostat to the "L" connector. Maybe the problem is right at that connector, wherever the L it is.

As a diagnostic, and as a possible solution, try running jumper from that terminal on the rheostat to a convenient connection point in the panel light wiring. One good spot would be on the cluster pcb (connector evidently labeled 31/10).

"...did you used to live in West Memphis Arkansas?"

Never been to that fine state in my life and have no known live, approximately live, or formerly live relatives there...

"...college buddy named Tom Foster (father's name was Don)..."

My dad's name was Don, too. To my knowledge, I have no brothers or sisters named Tom.
--
Don Foster (near Cape Cod, MA)

Did some more checking. I found a yellow wire that connects to the other side of the rheostat - this too is disconnected. Any idea where this goes (it is connected on the rheostat at the same location as the white/red wire).

Thanks for any help.

Ted in Albuquerque

Hi Ted -

Don's picture from Haynes sez on the lower margine typical of 1984. It looks almost exactly like my 1988 Volvo Service Manual page. OK there.

Rheostat. Terminal #58b. GR is power from fuse #16 which is powered from the headlight switch. Same terminal W-R shows for (1987 models) goes to lights in e-brake in back for seat belt warning and ashtray. In the 1988 this line also goes to lights inside the seat belt stalks.


Terminal 58a. Two BN wires. One wire goes to the lights in the center control panel. The other goes to a connector where there is one BN in and two BN out. One wire goes to the lights in the center control panel. The other wire goes to instrument cluster circle-shaped connector, terminal #10.

The other BN wire on the rheostat terminal #58a goes to the gear indicator in an AW70 car.

The diagram does not show a yellow wire anywhere on the page.

The ground side for the lights in the instrument cluster goes through the arc-shaped connector, terminal #4. SB wire (aka Black).

Do you have a tach and the small clock? Light in small clock gets power and ground same as the instrument cluster lights.

Hope this helps.

Bob

:>)