Date: Sun, 27 Jul 1997
From: larri <larri@earthlink.net>
Hi, friend, I am a new '72 Volvo 1800E owner.
1. My clock does not work. Any troubleshooting suggestions ? Can I remove it from the dash, open it up and clean it out or something ? Do I have to get a new one ?
2. My oil temperature gauge barely registers any variation above 0. Strange isn't it ?
3. My reverse light is out, and the bulb is good. What do ya think ?
Thanks. Larri
Larri-
If these are your worst problems, you made a good purchase. I don't know much about the clocks in these cars, but a cleaning and possibly a few small drops of sewing machine oil couldn't hurt anything. Use compressed gas to clean, like you might find at a computer or photography supplier.
I would also check the power supply. There should be a couple of colored wires attached to the back of the clock, one for the light and one for the clock itself. Turn on the parking lights and verify that there is a light inside the clock. Unhook one of the colored wires to determine whether it is for the light or the clock. When you know which one powers the clock, put a voltmeter between it and a ground (any bare metal non-electrical part under the dash). I'm not sure how much voltage you should see, but if you have any, you're probably o.k. Don't leave this wire loose under the dash - it should always have power to it, and could short out if not attached to the clock or covered with electrical tape. If you have no voltage to the clock, check the fuses.
The oil temperature gauge will show temperature only after the car is thoroughly warmed up and driven for about twenty minutes. If it doesn't work, make sure the electricity is connected to it and the sensor. The sensor is located on the side of the oil pan in earlier models. I'm not sure where it is on the '72. If the wires all check out o.k., I would try replacing the sensor.
The reverse light switch is a likely culprit in your third question, but before you go under the car to look at this switch (located on the upper rear of a manual transmisson or the left side of an automatic), first look in the trunk of the car and be sure the wires are connected to the light fixture.
-Glenn.