Volvo RWD 140-160 Forum

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Volvo 164, wiring nightmare, cranks/starts/ but wont run 140-160

posted by  rizzzo29 on  Mon Mar 11 20:17 CST 2013
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last visit: Tue Mar 19 01:42 CST 2013
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I just picked up a 1973 Volvo 164e, 4 speed manual, project. I picked it up running but the wiring is a hack job. Tried to start it the next day and one of the wires going from their rigged up total power switch, into what seems to be an original Volvo part of the ignition, fried up. The wiring consists of a total power button for the dash, a switch for the pump, and a button to start (original key and key fob is non existent.

Anyone able to help me out with a wiring diagram for the dash let alone some ignition wiring?

Anyways, new to the boards, and really excited about this car.







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    Volvo 164, wiring nightmare, cranks/starts/ but wont run 140-160

    posted by  james_a_sousa on  Mon Mar 11 20:36 CST 2013
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    last visit: Thu Oct 23 18:51 CST 2014
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    In older cars, if it starts when you run the starter but dies as soon as you release the starter, the classic problem is a bad ballast resistor.

    The ballast resistor reduces the voltage to the ignition system after the car starts. This allows a higher voltage to the ignition system to help start the engine - the reduced voltage increases the life of ignition components especially points and the coil when the car runs.

    This resistor is a high power resistor, often with two coils that heat up like toaster coils, They are often in a white ceramic mount on the firewall. Because they get very hot and cool off each time you start the car, they eventually break like a bulb filament.

    If your Mickey Mouse wiring does not include this resistor, the symptoms would be like a bad ballast resistor.

    The resistor would be wired to the RUN portion of the ignition switch, but not the START portion.
    --
    '96 855R,'64 PV544 driver, '67 P1800 basket case, '72 Yamaha Rd400, '68 Honda 350-4, '12 XC70, the first 5 are mine, heh, heh, 525,000 miles put on 10 bricks James A Sousa








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      Volvo 164, wiring nightmare, cranks/starts/ but wont run 140-160

      posted by  derek uk on  Tue Mar 12 06:50 CST 2013
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      last visit: Fri Oct 24 12:33 CST 2014
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      AFAIK the 164 uses a normal 3 ohm coil with no ballast resistor. The burnt wire likely to either be the one to either the coil or the starter motor from the starter switch.
      You can download 140 service manual here which will give you an idea as to the starting circuit. There is also a 164 parts book there which is always useful.
      http://www.volvotips.com/
      Get a Haynes 164 workshop manual from Amazon.com where there are several from a few dollars up, depending on condition.








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        Volvo 164, wiring nightmare, cranks/starts/ but wont run 140-160

        posted by  Volvo From Heck on  Tue Mar 12 09:09 CST 2013
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        last visit: Mon Oct 13 20:56 CST 2014
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        "AFAIK the 164 uses a normal 3 ohm coil with no ballast resistor."
        If the '75 has the Bosch electronic distributor like the '75 B20F's have then there is a resistor in line to the coil. If that is the problem they can be found used on many 200 series cars. If you can't find a listing for Volvo new---all Chrysler products in the mid-seventies used them too.
        The Haynes manual is useful--I have one for the 164--not sure if the wiring diagrams include '75. -- Dave







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