How to repair instrument cluster issues, broken speedometer, etc., Volvo 740, 240, 940 - VOTD

[@scottwiseman4272]

A HUGE thank you. My son’s 1986 240 speedometer was bouncing while driving and not working at all while idling. I assumed it was the cluster but after watching your video I looked at the speed sensor near the rear axle and discovered the wires had broken and were shorting. Simple fix with some heat shrink tubing and now it’s working great. Would not have ever known to look there until watching your video. Really appreciate you sharing your knowledge.

[@RobertDIY]

You are welcome

[@dimefever1006]

Man, I love Volvo wagons, recently passed on on because people told me they are terrible to fix. Wish I would've found your channel before. Thanks for sharing!

[@RobertDIY]

+Dime Fever you are welcome.

[@user-mn6fn7lr6g]

Robert, I am always happy to find your repair video's. You have a great ability to teach and I always walk away having learned something new. Thank you Sir.

[@RobertDIY]

You are welcome

[@julsiebear]

I would like to second this! You’ve helped me fix my car so many times!

[@marccoulson8997]

Your videos are the best! Straight to the point with no nonsense!

[@RobertDIY]

thanks for watching.

[@bmos02]

Thank you as always, Robert. Your videos are really helpful and informative.

[@RobertDIY]

+Wil Thieme thanks for watching.

[@aircnc9385]

The best Volvo mechanic

[@RobertDIY]

LOL

[@v8pilot]

The temperature gauge on my 940 was not working. In the end, I pulled out the instrument panel and resoldered the printed circuit board joints around the temperature gauge. I hooked up a battery and checked that it was now working while on the bench. (I used low and high value resistors to simulate the temperature sensor - can't remember the values I used; perhaps 50 ohms and 2000 ohms.). Once I was happy it worked on the bench, I popped it back in the car. Not problem since.

[@RobertDIY]

+v8pilot awesome!

[@ATMyller]

Interesting they used screws insted of solder. I have an erratic speedo and temp meter. I need to check those screws too. Thanks for the tip.

[@RobertDIY]

+ATMyller you are welcome

[@gbuzz1245]

Great work on the video mate. Was helpful with my 940

[@RobertDIY]

Good deal.

[@michaelrock223]

Hi Robert! Big fan of your videos. I have a 1994 940 nonturbo wagon with no dash cluster backlighting, and no backlighting behind the AC controller, even when the headlights are switched on. Used to be one of those problems that’s a bump in the road or a swift bang on the dash would fix. Back then, it would take longer and longer to get the dash lights on. (However, if I turned the ignition off while I had light, and switched it back on after 10 seconds, I’d still have light.) The dark interval got longer and longer and now nothing... I replaced the sliding rheostat with no luck. I have a solder iron and have been studying the wiring diagram. I’m hoping that removing the dash will show a loose wire or screw, or obviously bad solder joint. (Full backstory: I had the dash sent in for an intermittent failing Speedo about 4 years ago. This time I want to fix the problem myself) Can you point me to where a failing screw or solder joint behind the dash might cause all of the cabin backlighting to fail? Or any other ideas why my dash backlight start intermittent failing? I love these cars and how much they reward you for working on them. Really appreciate your input on this! Gonna pull the dash next weekend. Thank you for your time & knowledge

[@RobertDIY]

No I can not. You keep writing dash, do you mean cluster?

[@michaelrock223]

Robert DIY sorry yes I mean the instrument cluster

[@RobertDIY]

Take it one step at a time.

[@freaufphotography]

1988 245, tach and Spedo worked just fine then stopped intermittently.. before stopping altogether. Although this video is about a 700 series after I removed the cluster, tightened all the screws in the back of it and reinstalled, I now have all my gages back. Thank you Robert and everyone else commenting!

[@SpecialAgentJamesAki]

The girlfriends 1989 240 has an odometer that doesnt spin at all and the speedo is about 5 mph off. Ill come back and leave a comment with anything good i can add on, if theres anything i run into and stuff. For now thanks for the video robert, good info.

[@RobertDIY]

+James Aki probably a broken gear tooth on the odometer. Also, does the car have the correct size tires?

[@SpecialAgentJamesAki]

yep it was a broken gear tooth haha

[@JamesMushen]

All I have to say is that Robert is awesome.

[@RobertDIY]

thanks.

[@brettryan3298]

I have a fuel gauge that only works when it wants to on a 94 940. If it is a loose screw then I'm a monkey's uncle. I will pull the dash when I have time in the near future. Your video has been a massive help.

[@RobertDIY]

Thanks for watching

[@petersemmens7398]

THANKYOU SIR, I now know what to look for. I have a Haynes manual and speedo is not covered. Also seems to be the only dam thing with no fuse ! Pete Australia thanks Robert.

[@RobertDIY]

Thank you for watching.

[@BoldCreator]

Great video! I appreciate your Volvo videos.

[@RobertDIY]

thanks for watching.

[@devinriley1159]

Hey Robert, not sure if you’ve already answered this question. Having issues with strictly my gas gauge. All other gauges work, I popped out the cluster and tightened down those screws but still nothing. Any recommended steps I should take next?

[@RobertDIY]

I don't even know what kind of car you have? 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@stevekovacs6250]

Thank you Robert for all you do for the Volvo community! I have a 1986 240 Wagon that my temp gauge registers up and down from low to normal but never stabilized.....what can be wrong with it? Steve

[@RobertDIY]

Did you pull the cluster and snug down the screws on the back?

[@stevekovacs6250]

@@RobertDIY no not yet. I will check into that thanks!!

[@Tony-qi9sl]

Hey Robert, I really enjoy your videos but listen I have a question I posted on your other account. I have a 95 940 and what happens when I check my port and the port now I just get a steady blink nonstop blinking what causes that and what should I do, please respond back please sir

[@RobertDIY]

Sounds like the testing port is bad. I would probably start by replacing that.

[@charlesbiba5515]

Have an 86 740 where the speedo and Odo intermittently stop + start working while driving. Seems like it would be a wire shorting rather than some of the other causes (like chip failure on the board). Your video was a great overview as I prepare to hunt for the cause. Thank you for sharing, especially the cluster board that I'll tackle last. Does anyone know if the wire from the speed sensor in the diff is continuous all the way to the cluster, or are there additional joints somewhere?

[@RobertDIY]

🤷🏾‍♂️

[@aircnc9385]

You’re the best!

[@RobertDIY]

Thanks for watching.

[@mds2465]

Is there a brake light out or is that dash light indicator not working properly?

[@RobertDIY]

+Michael Sackstein bad weak bulb.

[@mds2465]

Robert DIY I'd replace them with LEDs. Those burn cool and last a long time

[@ericrose3877]

My '93 940 turbo does not have the 'unleaded fuel only' screw cover, so another video you have somewhere shows how to remove the cluster by sticking a blade screwdriver into each side and work some slim-fish into the border and jack it out that way? Thanks, I'll keep looking for it.

[@RobertDIY]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oWbQZHtsj8SUerM

[@RobertDIY]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/naWcqGCQiN2mb6s

[@zero932905]

All my gauges work except speedometer and odometer, do you think it could be the speed sensor? Its a 87 760

[@RobertDIY]

🤷🏾‍♂️

[@miniclip886]

If I understood you correctly the speed sensor sends signal only to the speedometer and NOT the odometer. I was wondering because my speedometer is moving on its own and sometimes it doesn't even move but my odometer works fine.

[@RobertDIY]

Thanks for watching.

[@codyrowles5009]

Hey Robert my rpm gauge has stopped working in my 96 Volvo 850. Was curious to know why and how to fix it? Thank you.

[@RobertDIY]

Is your ABS light on?

[@codyrowles5009]

Robert DIY no the abs light was not on. Also I just turned on my car and the gauge was working again.

[@RobertDIY]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rmSwgWyBlrWAp6M

[@jimstone8369]

How do you remove the sender attached to the back of the diffirentail? I have tried pulling upward, and sliding a flat bladed screwdriver with no success. Do you have to loosen the allen wrench nut first?

[@RobertDIY]

I have no idea. Ask the guys on Turbo Bricks FB page.

[@jimstone8369]

@@RobertDIY Thanks Robert. It's odd more info. is not avail. about it. One blog says "dirt" holds it on. I removed the allen wrench bolt, which I had not in previous attempts, and after a few more pulls it came out with little additional effort. The bolt does not seem to hold directly, but maybe it puts pressure on the connections inside the housing. Maybe dirt does hold it in.

[@alexanderforsberg4547]

Yeah thanks man!!

[@RobertDIY]

You are welcome

[@JamesMushen]

Robert, do you know anybody in Orange County, southern California that can work on my 1995 Volvo? Thanks

[@RobertDIY]

Nope

[@christianbarroga301]

These cars seem like easy fixes might have to get one

[@RobertDIY]

Best cars ever made. Other than relays dying they are very easy to repair.

[@dany-gj1zl]

Will this work on my 850 wagon?

[@RobertDIY]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/naWcqGCQiN2mb6s

[@the486man9]

Hey Robert, I just brought a volvo 940 gle in full working order but I noticed that the fuel gauge only goes up to the half full mark even if I fill the whole tank up. Any suggestions? It would be very appreciated

[@RobertDIY]

Replace the fuel sending unit.

[@RobertDIY]

Have you checked the cluster

[@the486man9]

@@RobertDIY yes, all screws and connectors are tight

[@the486man9]

@@RobertDIY yeah, the fuel sending unit is probably the problem. Thanks Robert

[@jakeornot6306]

Wondering if you ever tried tapping your finger on top of the instrument panel. That's all it takes with my 1990 740.

[@MrMundaa]

Is there book to tell youv what the codes are when you press buuton on the firewall

[@RobertDIY]

Yes, a few manuals.

[@dmichael6703]

Good job Sir.

[@RobertDIY]

Thanks.

[@mds2465]

Did you ever replace the missing radio & antenna?

[@RobertDIY]

LOL, No, I have it in storage.

[@RobertDIY]

Still have not installed the radio I have for it either. The car sounds so amazing I don't miss sounds. lol

[@moonglow1158]

What part of that cluster destroys your alternator from working ?

[@RobertDIY]

I have no idea

[@staffanfogelberg6816]

Moon Glow Did you manged to fix your problem? I have the same problem. Second alternator now. But for how long? Speedometer not working....

[@moonglow1158]

@@staffanfogelberg6816 nothing ,I read you should . Check your wheel speed sensor wires

[@staffanfogelberg6816]

@@moonglow1158 wheel speed sensor and wireing ok. Instrument cluster is bad. Soldering bad or capacitors bad. Impossible to find a working cluster (91-92) at the salvage yard... But like you, I heard that a bad cluster can actually destroy your alternator....

[@moonglow1158]

@@staffanfogelberg6816 your speed needle don't work ?

[@moonglow1158]

My battery lights is lit so red is will catch fire ! Now alt wont charge , 5 th alt same problem . Somwone said the cluster has a spot that will screw up the alternator

[@RobertDIY]

You should check with the guys on turbo bricks.

[@GurreHD]

Got a 740-88 my speedometer wont work at all? i've changed the sensor in the back and the whole speedometer inside the car? and the cable seems fine?

[@RobertDIY]

Probably a bad cluster.

[@stanf7862]

nothing is ever that simple for me

[@RobertDIY]

ouch