Kitty / Eric / Ron / Tom.

Thanks everyone! Your 1800 knowledge has been invaluable through this project. Especially when I tear something like the dash apart one year and try to put it all back together a year later.

A couple years ago I took the sharpest copy of the '73 wiring diagram I could find and divided it up in Photoshop into ten separate 8-1/2 x 11 images, printed them out, and spliced them all together. I now have a poster-sized diagram hanging on the garage wall. It has been both life saving and educational. But I've worn a path walking back and forth between car and wiring diagram! The PO had taken some less-than-desirable wiring freedoms under the dash and with the ignition so I'm getting it all back to original.

The problem is that the wiring diagram showed the dimmer switch OK, but it didn't specify which light was wired to which pole on the switch. I considered Eric's theory about the bulb wattage but I didn't know those values for sure. The diagram says 1.2 W for the O/D light and it gives NO value for the high beam light. Fortunately the switch is quite accessible so I can swap the wires later if I have to after I power it all up (and watch for smoke :)

Oh, and if any of you possesses one go those indicator light dimmer switches in good shape, hang onto it as it's worth more than a bitcoin!! I got two of them from a guy over in Sweden and they both had cracks that propagate outward from the pivot pin holes. Eventually the whole threaded part cracks in half. I had to devise a reinforcement that I'm not to proud of but it works. Lesson learned - don't even try to flip the switch without the securing ring screwed on as it will help the switch resist cracking.


Tom, I looked in the owners manual for the UP/DOWN orientation and somehow completely missed it. I was looking for a "32" in the function descriptions. Thanks for pointing me to it!

I'm still looking for an affordable wiper switch (rocker type). After bashing the PO over his wiring shortcuts I'm considering my own mod to incorporate a wiper delay. I did this on a 144 we had years ago, using a $10 JC Whitney delay along with the OE switch. Living in Georgia, it was a really nice mod as they get a lot of light misty sprinkles there. It appears that an early 80's Ford pickup and Bronco have the same wiper motor wiring so I may search the JY's for one of their switch/delay setups.

Finally, if nobody argues otherwise, I'll mount the flasher unit to any accessible mounting point like the speedo to tack thumb nut.

Thanks again, guys. Gotta run.

Chris;

I was going to send you to the Owners Manual as well...it look like others have also done that, also given good additional info...combining lamp Wattage and the resistances you measured, one could do some theoretical calculations...if you were really that interested...practically, you could just swap the Black and Yellow wires going to control and try which way worked better...

Here an extract of the Wiring Diagram:


Cheers

Regarding your question as to which position the switch belongs in, I found this in the 1973 1800ES Owner's Manual page 16...

"31 Dimmer for fullbeams and overdrive warning lamps
During long trips in darkness, the warning lamp for fullbeams and overdrive can be irritating. The glare from these can be dimmed by moving the control to the lower position. The dimmer is off when the control is in the upper position. "

http://new.volvocars.com/ownersdocs/1973/1973%201800/731800_01.htm#pg9

Hi Chris Mullet,

I'm unsure whether these resource contain an answer helpful to you, as it has been so very long I'd touched an 1800, so here goes:

- http://volvo1800pictures.com/sweden/Volvo_1800_dokumentation_main_page_en.php
- http://www.volvowiringdiagrams.com/?dir=volvo/1800%20Wiring%20Diagrams
- http://www.sw-em.com/

Sort of thinking Eric planetman and Ron Kwas and folks can best help you.

Your Volvo 1800 is part of your life! Already have!

Hope that helps yoo.

Egg Nog Boy.
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