What's the going rate at junkyards for 240 relays for OD, windshield wiper, and fuel pump?? I couldn't believe my ears when this junkyard guy told me he wanted $40 for an OD relay out of an 87! Then he changed his mind and said he had to get at least $25 each for used relays. I know that's absurd. I'd be interested to know what other guys end up paying at their local yards.
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Thanks to everyone for the help, Doug C. 81 242 Brick Off Blocks, stock, M46; 86 240, 135k

I guess I'm lucky... my local boneyard lets me have all the trim pieces I want for free. They're more concerned with used alternators and stuff like that. Southern Maine produces a LOT of junk cars, so they don't want to waste their time with small stuff. I've never attempted to purchase a relay, but they would most likely tell me to take it.

This will probably get me labeled a miscreant, but for $40 a relay, $25 "on sale"... if I were you, I would wear baggy pants. After all, they're ripping YOU off!

The Pick-A-Parts in Southern California that I go to let me have relays for about $1. They don't know and don't care what they are the just charge a small amount for each one. Tell that other junkyard guy to go to hell and find the relays you need somewhere else. I have tons just in case. I would try to re-solder the ones you do have. I have not had any problems with my relays after doing the re-soldering. Good Luck!

Sincerely,

Nickvjr
1979 264GL 120,500

I pay about $4.65 per relay at my local U-Wrench-It yard. They also charge the same price for Idle Air Control Valves too. Some of their prices are high, but others are low. $0.99 floor mats are a deal especially for a Volvo.

I'm convinced that my checkout prices depend more upon who's at the cash register and what mood they're in versus what I have in the wheelbarrow. I've walked out with deals like a cruise control, a new style harness, and a bag full of relays for about $50 total. Sometimes they will nit-pick every little item to the smallest possible degree that they can sub-divide it. A headlight assembly that cost $10 an hour ago is now over $60 due to a new person behind the register. The price guide that's posted on the wall can be used to help you or hurt you depending on who's reading it.

God bless and happy pulling.
Fitz Fitzgerald.
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'87 Blue 245, NA 228K

Darn Fitz, that sounds like the places here, there are a couple of cashiers that I won't even go to. One of them I'm sure charges a 30% extra charge just 'cause she thinks she's cute. The only thing they are consistant on are large items like wheels, doors and such, sway bars can run $9 to $19 each, much the same for other small items. I recently found a set of torque rods for a 240 with urathane bushings in them, they wanted as much as a new set from bcmcgregor off ebay.
Dave Shannon
Spring Valley, California (San Diego area)
'84-245 200K+
'84-245T 190K+
'88-240 190K+
'01 Jeep Wrangler Sahara 10K
www.volvo2.homestead.com (Opens new window)

Resolder your existing relays and you won't need replacements. A resoldered relay is as good as new---sometimes BETTER than new.

It costs $0, takes 15 minutes, no risk, and is clean 'n easy work.
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Don Foster (near Cape Cod, MA)

Thanks, Don. I guess I should practice on an old relay and learn to solder better. All the connections looks so small. I'll dig in and see if I can get it done without running the connections together. I still want to get back-ups for the glovebox though.
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Thanks to everyone for the help, Doug C. 81 242 Brick Off Blocks, stock, M46; 86 240, 135k

It's good to have backups. As a staunch contrarian, I believe that if you have 'em, you won't need 'em.

When soldering relays, I use a small iron (about 20 Watts) to solder the small connections and a solder gun (about 200 Watts, or so) for the larger connections. It's usually the larger connections that are bad.

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Don Foster (near Cape Cod, MA)

I've found that it is often a matter of perspective...The ones I go to anyway, If I'm going after just a relay...maybe as high as 7 or 8 dollars.

But what I do is I try to wait untill I need something bigger, Fender, seat, wheels...something like that... then I take a large coffee can and fill it with little stuff...relays screws trim pieces visor clips etc...nine times out of ten (especially if they are busy) they look in the can when I show it to them and wave their hand and say aahhh don't worry bout that... and ring up the larger item. Of course around here I think they feel a little sorry for anyone trying to fix up a Volvo.
Bret
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rust free in west Texas

Small relays around here are about $5, larger ones (like the buzzer, or the fuel pump relays) are about $8... plus entrance fee ($2).. plus sales tax (8.25%).. plus any environmental surcharge they deem appropriate.. and whatever for an exchange policy if you opt for it.

Sometimes they're nice.. like today when the guy told me to not bother paying for the spark plug wire.. sometimes they're assholes when they look at my credit card and then my ID and tell me I'm not who I say I am.

I think I've gotten rid of all my old style OD relays, but if I find one tomorrow (while dismantling a few Peugeots.. oy), it's yours for the cost of shipping.

What relays did you need?

- alex

'85 244 Turbo

I'm working on collecting back-up relays for our two 1981's and our 1986. I want to end up with an extra fuel pump relay and OD relay in the glovebox of each of the three cars. Please let me know if you dig up anything.
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Thanks to everyone for the help, Doug C. 81 242 Brick Off Blocks, stock, M46; 86 240, 135k

Is the 86 an auto?

I don't think the K-Jet fuel pump relays are so failure prone, and if they do fail.. just carry a paperclip (or if you're being all fancy maybe a small section of wire with some alligator clips) to jump the two fuses.

- alex

'85 244 Turbo

Sorry. I forgot to mention that both 81 have M46's and the 86 is an automatic with OD.
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Thanks to everyone for the help, Doug C. 81 242 Brick Off Blocks, stock, M46; 86 240, 135k

dang i bought ten misc relays for five bucks. if you want i will get you a bunch for what i pay, plus shipping. they are not guaranteed but the three or four i installed worked. thats why i havent did the resolder job mr foster does.most are original and some are not. the original look like there made better. can you help with my queestion about six posts down from your post. e mail me if u need the relays.thanks

About 2 bucks per relay. Anything moe is a ripoff.