Volvo RWD 200 Forum

INDEX FOR 10/2025(CURRENT) INDEX FOR 11/2004 200 INDEX

[<<]  [>>]


THREADED THREADED EXPANDED FLAT PRINT ALL
MESSAGES IN THIS THREAD




  REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

Blowing My Own Horn - NOT! 200 1980

posted by  whitedavidp on  Thu Oct 18 18:16 CST 2018
Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
last visit: Fri May 23 10:44 CST 2014
[RELATED]

I drove the wife's 1980 244 the other day for the first time in a while. I noticed that the left side horn button doesn't work at all. The button actually rattles around in its hole. The right side isn't that great as it is fussy and only works if you press it just right.

So I thought it is time to learn about horns. I find that my Bently manual is pretty slight on the subject and my Haynes manual seems completely silent. This car is pre-airbag and I suspect that getting at the switch below the buttons is fairly straight forward. But before I go at it with a pry bar of some sort, I thought I best ask those who really know.

Perhaps Art has a treatise on this subject as he seems to have for so many other things. But I couldn't find it. Before I go at this are there some parts I should order?

Thanks as always!








  •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

    Blowing My Own Horn - NOT! 200 1980

    uid 27's pic
    posted by  Art Benstein on  Fri Oct 19 06:08 CST 2018
    Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
    last visit: Fri Oct 17 20:10 CST 2014
    [RELATED]

    I had an old wheel like the one in your '80, so I looked into it:











    --
    Art Benstein near Baltimore

    ACRONYM Abbreviated Coded Rendition Of Name Yielding Meaning








    •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

      Blowing My Own Horn - NOT! 200 1980

      posted by  whitedavidp on  Fri Oct 19 12:49 CST 2018
      Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
      last visit: Fri May 23 10:44 CST 2014
      [RELATED]

      Art, as usual your advice is right on! I managed to remove the assembly 1229801 easily enough. And I could quickly tell that the actuator is simply not being properly retained by the 4 clips. It is not clear why this is the case, however, as all 4 clips are intact and look fine. Are they supposed to protrude out the back side? Mine certainly do not and cannot seem to reach that far. It seems there are notches where the clip has to be lifted-over to release the actuator. But those seem way too high. So the actuator just rattles around loose and pressing it fails, I guess, to push far enough for the two metal pieces to make contact. I have found this part listed on a couple dealer part websites. But none have them or can get them. With the cars at this age, and me at my age, nothing is easy. Thanks again.








      •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

        Blowing My Own Horn - NOT! 200 1980

        uid 27's pic
        posted by  Art Benstein on  Fri Oct 19 13:04 CST 2018
        Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
        last visit: Fri Oct 17 20:10 CST 2014
        [RELATED]

        The four clips don't keep the actuator tight against the bottom molding or body except by the spring tension in the phosphor bronze horn switch contact. So, if yours rattles even though the clips are intact, I guess the switch itself is broken or has somehow been displaced. Are both sides acting the same?
        --
        Art Benstein near Baltimore

        A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.








        •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

          Blowing My Own Horn - NOT! 200 1980

          posted by  whitedavidp on  Fri Oct 19 13:59 CST 2018
          Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
          last visit: Fri May 23 10:44 CST 2014
          [RELATED]

          Thanks Art. The left is basically dead at this point while the right is finicky but still working good enough to NOT be a safety issue in my opinion. It may be on the way out too at some point.

          So far, I cannot find new parts at Volvo dealers without back order and those seem to be of unknown duration. So I guess it is salvage yard time...

          I did take the upper (spring) plate off and out of the unit I have. I cleaned the contacts on both sides which had some carbon build up. I then used a pliers and bent the metal into more of an arc to get more spring action. When assembled, this made no difference as there is still a gap of about 3-4 mm between the actuator and the housing all the way around.

          I did find, however, that if I manually held one far end so that the actuator and the housing meet flush I can then press elsewhere on the actuator and get continuity across the contacts. Hmmm. So I got out the epoxy for the second day in a row (yesterday not automotive), applied some to the bottom edge of the housing and clamped the actuator against it.

          I am hoping that when it dries I will have something at least minimally serviceable until I can find something better. It may not hold at all. Or it may hold for a couple uses and then break free. If so, maybe I can put a screw through there somehow. All ugly hacks!

          Thanks again for the help and fine pictorial.








          •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

            Blowing My Own Horn - NOT! 200 1980

            uid 27's pic
            posted by  Art Benstein on  Fri Oct 19 14:11 CST 2018
            Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
            last visit: Fri Oct 17 20:10 CST 2014
            [RELATED]

            When I asked about the other side, I expected you might pry that one out and examine the plastic and bronze and compare the action. It sounds to me like the one on the left has a broken plastic piece in the center of the actuator (seen on one of my pics) if the switch itself is not broken. Either way, yes, you're going to want a new one or two.

            I thought I saw an ebay hit when I searched the part number, but that could have been an expired one as so often happens. Someone has pulled these in a yard and wants to sell them.
            --
            Art Benstein near Baltimore

            To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism. To steal from many is research.







            •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

              Blowing My Own Horn - NOT! 200 1980

              posted by  whitedavidp on  Fri Oct 19 15:08 CST 2018
              Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
              last visit: Fri May 23 10:44 CST 2014
              [RELATED]

              Thanks for the tip, Art. I did search Ebay for the left which is needed the most. But I found nothing. So I just tried the right and found one. Hurrah.

              I spent some time checking various parts sources in Europe - especially Sweden - and I found some sellers. Some even have new, 5-pane tail lights. Wow! But it is not clear yet if they actually have the parts or how much shipping might be. I am prepared for high prices.

              Meanwhile I have contacted a local European wrecking yard and asked what, if anything, they have.

              Thanks!








              •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

                Blowing My Own Horn - NOT! 200 1980

                posted by  someone claiming to be CB on  Fri Oct 19 18:43 CST 2018 [RELATED]

                a bit of creative re-wiring to a thumb switch?? --- there were some cars that had the Horn on a stalk... R/L signals up/down...Horn Pull Towards you==== Like my (RIP) 1971 Peugeot 304(FWD)







<< < > >>



©Jarrod Stenberg 1997-2022. All material except where indicated.


All participants agree to these terms.

Brickboard.com is not affiliated with nor sponsored by AB Volvo, Volvo Car Corporation, Volvo Cars of North America, Inc. or Ford Motor Company. Brickboard.com is a Volvo owner/enthusiast site, similar to a club, and does not intend to pose as an official Volvo site. The official Volvo site can be found here.