1980 Volvo DL: horn, windshield wipers and radio all going dead simultaneously

[Wolfgang]

Hello,

My 1980 240DL developed a strange electrical problem. The horn, radio
and windshield wipers periodically go dead, all at the same time (and
sometime they come back on). So I think it must be some loose contact
at a point that effects all three of those devices (perhaps more that,
I haven't noticed yet). No fuse is blown, as far as I can see, and
the problem is intermittend.

Does anyone out there know where to look for a common point of
connection of those three devices (horn, windshield wipers, radio)?

Thanks for any clues.

Wolfgang,
Santa Barbara, California

 

[James Sweet]

Hello,

My 1980 240DL developed a strange electrical problem. The horn, radio
and windshield wipers periodically go dead, all at the same time (and
sometime they come back on). So I think it must be some loose contact
at a point that effects all three of those devices (perhaps more that,
I haven't noticed yet). No fuse is blown, as far as I can see, and
the problem is intermittend.

Does anyone out there know where to look for a common point of
connection of those three devices (horn, windshield wipers, radio)?

Clean the ends of the fuses, they oxidize and give an intermittant
connection.

 

[Rob Guenther]

This would be a potential cause if they are all on the same fuse (completely
unfamiliar with Volvo electrics, so I don't know what is on which fuse).
Another candidate is a common tie to the chassis ground for all three
devices. Ground terminal points oxidize and can become intermittent,
especially when they age over 23 years... Heck after only 12 years our
oldest car, a 1991 Golf is experience grounding problems in numerous places
(our 10 year old Volvo is faring MUCH better in this regard... well
actually, it's doing better in every area).

Try to locate a screw terminal protruding from the chassis where these
devices get their grounding from, this would definately cause a problem if
there was a bad connection, as it would cause an open circuit (the
equivilant of turning a lightswitch off in say, a bedroom, it kills all the
lights on that switch, that is what a bad ground can do).

 

[Joe]

A very common problem with these is the ignition switch when it goes dead
next time try to gently wriggle the ignition switch towards the ignition
position making sure not to go into the start section, if it comes good then
its the switch. Of course check the fuses first like the other guys
suggested a good place to start.

Joe

 

[Jan Rune Bjørkelo]

Hello,

My 1980 240DL developed a strange electrical problem. The horn, radio
and windshield wipers periodically go dead, all at the same time (and
sometime they come back on). So I think it must be some loose contact
at a point that effects all three of those devices (perhaps more that,
I haven't noticed yet). No fuse is blown, as far as I can see, and
the problem is intermittend.

Does anyone out there know where to look for a common point of
connection of those three devices (horn, windshield wipers, radio)?

I have the exact same problem on my 1980 244DL, and this happened once in a
while.
I found the problem was my windshield was leaking, and therefore water made
the fuseholders oxidize.
I think it was one of the fuses on top, maybe the second fuse from the top?
I used to just wriggle it,
and twist it around a little bit every time it happened while I was driving.
Try wash the fuseholder with CRC-R
(anti-oxidation spray) or something similar.

- Jan Rune Bjorkelo -