The odometer on my '86 245GL recently gave out after reading numerous posts here on the subject, I have ordered a replacement gear. While I am pretty mechanically-oriented, and have experience removing the instrument cluster in my other (non-Volvo) car, I have never ventured behind the dash of a 245.

Before I replace this gear, are there any quick tips on access from those who've done it before? I tried to look in the archives but was unable to find a thread that describes how to proceed.

Thanks!

Chris

It's a fairly easy job.
1. I start by taking off the top half of the cover over the steering column (two screws) to get a little more room to pull out the cluster.

2. Then pull the headlight and dash dimmer knobs straight out to remove them. Carefully pry out the plastic piece under the knobs. (The piece is a little delicate where it is thin next to the rear foglight switch.) Disconnect the switch.
3. remove the two screws on the left of the cluster which you can now see.

4. On the right, remove the two square plastic pieces by prying with a small screwdriver. Remove the two screws holding the right side of the cluster. The cluster is now held by the wires behind it.

5. Disconnect the wires, making a drawing of where each go. The single wires might get on the wrong terminals when reinstalling if you don't do this. The multiple wire plugs can't be reconnected wrong. The plug which may give you trouble is the one on the speedometer. It is held by clips on the connector and these clips are easy to break. I broke mine on my '88 and they were already broken on my '86. I can't tell you how to release these clips but there was a thread on this recently. Don't dispair if you break the clip, the plug seems to fit tight and mine have stayed in place for over a year with no problem.

6.Slide the cluster out and to the left. It's tight but not too bad to do.

7.Installation is the reverse and a bit tricky since you are working by feel. If you see a red/white wire not connected, this is for a tachometer. If you don't have one, just leave it alone.

Good luck on your project!

What? There's supposed to be clips in the speedometer cable? ;-) I guess someone else took a peek back there before me. Stays in just fine though!

The whole job is wonderfully easy to do, just as in my Renault (Except less trim panels & the Volvo doesn't have tons of extra connectors for stereo/information cluster). After the first removal/installation it'll be just a breeze if you ever need to do it again.


-M.R.

I agree with Jim for the most part. Especially concerning the ease on breaking the clips on the speedo attachment.

I never remove the steering wheel cover and have no difficulty getting the instrument panel out. Make sure your wheels are pointing straight forward so that the top of the steering wheel is level to Instrument panel.

After removing the 4 screws, pull the instrument panel forward, it may take a little wiggling to get it started, but do not force it.

Pull it forward far enough so that you can peer behind it from the right hand side (your head next to the radio or top compartment in dash). Write down where all the wires come from. The speedo connector is held in place by a clip tht goes over the connector. There are two "fangs" on the side closest to you. Lightly pull these "fangs" toward you as you ease the clip up (toward the engine), this will take some patience. I broke my pins off and the connector WOULDN'T stay on. If you do break them you can probably wedge a piece of cardboard between the connector and clip to make a friction fit, I rebuilt the clip (I'm a model maker though).

After all wires are loose, slide the instrument panel full forward and to the RIGHT, toward the passenger side (Jim suggested left and I have had no luck going that way, maybe if you remove the steering wheel cover).

After you have the instrument panel out lay it face down on a pad or towel on your bench. Remove the 7 (I think) screws from the edge of the board. Carefully lift the instrument panel out of the trim.

There are 2 or 4 (not sure) screws on the back of the speedo itself, remove thse and slide the speedo forward. Note the metal contact pins on the side of the speedo, don't bend them.

Remove the 2 screws that hold the motor on and carefully lift the motor. You will now see the broken gear. Replace it.

When putting the unit back together be careful of the contact pins on the speedo. When sliding the instrument panel back onto the trim piece, watch the trip meter reset and the clock set stems.

Is your temperature gauge acting screwy? This would be a good time to clean those contacts as well. Just type in "temperature" or "Wacky temp gauge" and there are threads in the archives that explain this, also you will see detalied instructions on how to remove instrument panel there.

Where are you getting the gear? Type in "Odometer gear source" and you will see a recent thread that I posted, if you have a different source please add the details for the benifit of all.

Good Luck!

Chris Kaufman
Greensboro, NC
--
1987 245DL, only god knows how many miles. Damn that little plastic gear.

Thanks for all the great advice! I'll let you know how it goes.

BTW - the gear comes from the source listed under the thread "Plastic odometer gear - source?" in the 200 forum.

Chris