Hi Guys,
First of all, have any of you tried the dash covers that are offered on Ebay? They are listed as being a cap that you simply put over your regular dash. Mine is pretty cracked and thought this might be an easy and inexpensive fix if they look good and last.
Also, can someone give me some direction on what to look for on a non functioning cruise control unit. I've never messed with one of these so I'm totally in the dark on where to start looking.
Thanks in advance,
Dave
--
I dream of a world where a chicken can cross the road without having its motives questioned.

In 2003 I bought a Volvo cruise control from eBay and it came with the Volvo installation instructions, fortunately for me.

The 1988 is the same as on my 1986 (but I did a neater job) so I have the Volvo instructions on file tht will "do" for your car.

The vacuum lines are most likely to go bad, cracks where they stick on to fittings, etc. Look at every one. Start with the two tank things on the firewall right hand side. There is a line from the intake manifold to one of the tanks, then it conencts to the other, and a line going into the cabin.

Follow the lines under the dash. There is a valve on the brake pedal and the clutch pedal, if applicable. The valves are to ensure that cruise drops out if either pedal is depresses even a wee bit.

There is a vacuum operated servo unit between the gas pedal and the firewall. Check that line, too.

Above the steering is the "brain" computer. Wiggle wires to check for loose connections. Do that on the conenction to that tank on the fiewall, and where the wire connects to the brake light switch.

As easy test is while driving above 40 mph, turn on and set the cruise while using your left toe tip to pull upward on the brake pedal. If the cruise engages, the valve is out of adjustment.

Good Luck,

Bob

:>)


PS: The instructions are in 6 languages and take 17 pages.

Hi Dave,

Just a couple more dash cover anecdotes - I have two of them for a couple years now on one, and I don't know how many years with their previous owners. I don't use a shade (I figure the dash cover is the shade!), they are either black or navy blue, and look like new dashes compared to what is probably under them and some of the rest of my 240s. Because I don't know whose they are, this won't help much except to confirm they're not all crap.

The cruise uses a vacuum switch at the brake (and clutch). You may want to pull the felt off and explore for hissing up behind the pedals. Bentley covers more detail in section 360. Good luck! It is on the way to the odometer from the wrong angle!
--
Art Benstein near Baltimore

He often broke into song because he couldn't find the key.

I bought one from an e-Bay seller (Arizona Bob?), it went on fairly easy and looked great right after installation. BUT, after about a year it started warping and cracking - but still looked better than what it was covering. Maybe I just got a "dud", but it was nice to have a decent looking dash for a few months.

Oh, the one I installed was a rather hard plastic and had a pretty flat finish. I put a similar item on my '70 240Z a long time ago that was made out of a softer plastic and hat sort of a semi-gloss finish, that one still looked new three years after I installed it and sold the car... That one came from, oddly enough, JC Whitney.

Hey guys...
Thanks for the information. I figured the dash pads might be too good to be true but it sure would have been a easy fix. I'm wondering if I were to use a good sunscreen on the car if that would keep them from cracking and warping.
As for the cruise I didn't even know where to begin to look. I have not replaced any of the vacuum lines as of yet (still on the list) so that very well might be the problem. This car has been sitting for the past 4 years so there is definately evidence of dry rot. I'd say it's as good a place as any to start looking.
Once more the brickboard has the answers I need. I'm not sure I would want to own an older Volvo if not for this site (okay, I still would, but I'd be lost).
Thanks a lot,
Dave
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I dream of a world where a chicken can cross the road without having its motives questioned.

On the dash, I am planning on living with the cracks until I can send the dash off to JustDashes in California. They gave me a rough estimate of $700 to redo the dash. Their process is pretty cool - they strip all the existing vinyl and foam, then layer on new foam and re-vacuum form vinyl onto the core, then dye the appropriate color. A better than new dash for much less than what dealers are quoting.

I can't really speak to the cruise on an '86.

Good Luck,
Jeff

I've never tried the hard plastic shell, but many people who have say that it isn't worth it. They are reputed to last a year or less before warping and cracking, and at that price, I wouldn't want to replace it every year.

The most disturbing evidence against the hard plastic covers is that IPD's catalog even notes that they are prone to warping and cracking and recommends a carpet cover.

The carpet covers don't look that great but you can find them for $25 online and they'll never crack or warp.

On the Dash cover, will be watching the answers myself. Seems to be get a new dash ($$$), and then the choice is Carpet, Fabric, Hard Plastic, or Soft Plastic. Will be interesting to see what the BB'ers have to say.

86 Cruise, do your vents work quickly, maybe a slight hitch in your idle maybe? The reason for asking is the vacuum lines that go to the vents also go to a rounded bottle in the middle of the firewall on passengers side. The lines should connect to the Intake Manifold and you should be able to feel a vacuum on the end of your finger at the manifold. There is also a vacuum connection from the bottle to that can shaped unit right next to the bottle (on the drivers side of the car). Check for cracks or splits on all three vacuum connections. Pretty common problem on an 86 to have leaks right there. The other vacuum connection on the firewall goes in on the drivers side to the inside unit. There are two pressure solenoids in that round unit on the drivers side. Check the fuse box, there is a fuse going to the control unit under the dash, may be connected to other stuff. That's all I got.

Not exactly the best cruise control ever made by the way. But will help prevent the road noise induced turning up of the radio, followed by the why the heck I going that fast problem out on the road. Oh and then there is that gas mileage thing.

Regards,

PT

Can't help on the dash cover except to say I have one put on years ago by the PO, and yes it looks good compared to cracked ones.

Cruise on an 86 - don't know that one either, except look first at the vacuum switch I think gets closed when the brake pedal is not pushed. If it is leaking there, cruise will never work.
--
-K (hope springs eternal)

edit: i'm an idiot didn't see the model year.

with your cruise control, check vacuum hoses for starters