Hi, I've come over from the 122 forum to ask a question, was the column mounted OD switch on the 1800s full on/off like a light switch or momentary like a door bell? I have 2 here one NOS and one from an 1800 just don't remember which I got where.

Hello,

The early P1800 and 1800S had a dash mounted single pole single throw switch(on-off).

The later 1800S used a column mounted momentary switch that on earlier P1800 and 1800S was used to engage a relay that blasted a total of 3 horns.

1800E and 1800ES used a column mounted on-off switch.
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Eric
Hi Performance Automotive Service (formerly OVO or Old Volvos Only)
Torrance, CA 90502

Gents
Happy New Year to all-wish you all the best for 2014
Hoping you can help; via this old thread I've just found.
I have a 1967 1800S with what I now know is fitted with a momentary switch.
This was replaced new from one of the Swedish suppliers.
Unfortunately unlike the older original switches which were flick to operate the newer ones are a push activation.
Not really an issue apart from the fact they are crap and half the time needs several pushes before the thing engages.
Frustrating!
I bought on eBay a early style dash mounted switch which I've fitted with an extended lever. Not fitted yet as I now understand it's an 'on/off' style rather than momentary.
Any modifications or changes I need to make so I can fit this early style switch?
Thanks in advance and best wishes
Russ

Did you know you can use your turn signal switch as the overdrive switch?

For USA delivery cars, the momentary switch function of the turn signal switch that is used in Europe to flash the headlights is wired, but not connected to a relay and you can easily connect you overdrive wire to it.

I like to do conversions like this in a manner that could be easily reversed, so I would change just the end of the overdrive switch wire by splicing on the correct end for the turn signal switch from old harness' which I have and then plugging it into the turn signal switch.

FYI, the connectors for the turn signal switch are a special bullet style connector and are not available at any electrical supply store that I know. However, the Volvo 122 and 544 used the exact same style of bullet connector.

Another FYI, be very careful when removing the bullet connector from the turn signal switch as the fiber board on the switch can be brittle and on rare occasions I have broken the connector right off the switch. Although expensive, a high quality reproduction turn signal switch is now available.

But you can just cut the existing wire from the turn signal switch, which is the purple/brown wire, and butt splice crimp it to the overdrive wire and if you want, you can perform this modification without pulling the wire off of the turn signal switch by cutting the purple/brown wire further down the harness under the dash and running it over to the overdrive wire at the dash.
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Eric

Hi Performance Automotive Service (formerly OVO or Old Volvos Only)

Torrance, CA 90502

After talking to my brother, I think you may not even have to go under the dash to re-wire the overdrive relay to work with the momentary switch that is built into the stock turn signal switch by using the existing purple/brown wire where it emerges inside the engine compartment.

I think that wire is tucked back into the main harness near the existing overdrive relay and you may be able to unplug a wire from the overdrive switch and plug in the purple/brown wire in its place. At worst, you may have to extend the purple/brown wire to reach the existing overdrive relay.

You have to unplug the smaller black wire that connects to the pole labeled 31b on the relay. There are 2 other slightly thicker black wires, but those 2 wires plug onto a shared pole on the relay and supply the power to the overdrive solenoid and the overdrive light on the dash.

Let me know how it goes.
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Eric
Hi Performance Automotive Service (formerly OVO or Old Volvos Only)
Torrance, CA 90502

Eric
Many thanks, that is very helpful
Really appreciate the advice.
Presume there are no issues with the fact I'm in the UK? I know I have a flash function on that switch, presume the overdrive takes the place of that and I use the foot switch?
Russ

Yes, if your car is already set up to flash the headlight and if you move the purple/brown wire from the headlight flasher relay under the hood to the overdrive relay, then you won't be able to flash the high beams, but your foot dipper switch will still work correctly.

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Eric
Hi Performance Automotive Service (formerly OVO or Old Volvos Only)
Torrance, CA 90502

Thanks Eric,
Unfortunately I think it is a legal requirement in the UK for the headlights to have a flash function.
I don't think the foot switch allows this as it's not a momentary switch. Will need to check a whats a neat solution
Russ

Hi Russ
I don't think you'll find that a flasher is needed for the MOT as long as the main/dip switching can be done easily. "Our" cars have the floor switch whereas most cars have on a column stalk. It's more usual to mod the flasher switch with a 240 flip/flop relay to do the main/dip switching, and remove the floor switch, as many people don't get on with them.

What about on a 122 or 123GT?

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-Matt I ♥ my ♂

Those are on-off, not momentary.