Thanks to Paul and others for the excellent advice and diagrams for OD circuit installation.

If I understand things correctly, setups using the 240 od relay (#1259750) must use some sort of momentary switch. Options would include a column-mounted stalk or a push-button, but not a toggle like the dash-mounted Lucas switch in the "OD" ring. Is this correct, or can this switch be used in the circuit somehow?

Are there momentary toggle switches available, or would I need a differerent relay to accomodate an on-off toggle?

Apologies for the electrical ignorance here.

Colin

With apologies to Bruce, I'm using the blue 1259750 with a momentary contact switch (from Radio Shack) in my 142. I'm using the same relay with a 240 door lock relay and the stalk switch in my PV -- both as per Paul's instructions.
Bruce, it's of course possible that Volvo used different equipment in the same year and on the same model, but my "81 245 had a push button , i.e., momentary, switch in the shifter knob, not a slider.
Bob S.

With apologies to all, I sit corrected. I forgot that the slider switch went out after '80, and (incorrectly) paired it with the early ('81-'84) Blue relay.

Now, if I could only remember what's different about the Red relay used from '85 on....???? AFAIK, the push button switch and OD solenoid didn't change. Maybe it will come to me in a dream.
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Bruce Young
'93 940-NA (current) — 240s (one V8) — 140s — 122s — since '63.

"If I understand things correctly, setups using the 240 od relay (#1259750) must use some sort of momentary switch."

That PN 1259750 is the older (81-84) Blue relay, which is controlled by a slider (ON/OFF) switch on the shifter knob.

The later (85 on) relay is Red, PN 3523805, and is a "toggling" relay operated by a momentary push-button switch. This relay changes state with each pulse from the switch—if it was open, it closes. If closed, it opens.

Hope this helps,

Bruce

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Bruce Young
'93 940-NA (current) — 240s (one V8) — 140s — 122s — since '63.

So Bruce, if I understand you correctly, using the earlier style 81-84 blue relay would work with a dash-mounted on-off toggle, and does not reguire a momentary switch?

I guess the easy way around this is to forget the 240 relay, and just buy a simple on-off relay from Napa.

Colin

No Colin, I screwed up big time. See my response to Bob S. (Sil) above. I never should have jumped into this thread, relying on memory alone.

The older Blue relay does take a momentary switch. I went out and popped the cover off one—it's the "toggling" (electronic) type with circuit board and several components controlling the coil, not the simple coil & armature type.

Best forget I ever said anything—that's what I'm trying to do.

Bruce
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Bruce Young
'93 940-NA (current) — 240s (one V8) — 140s — 122s — since '63.

I guess the easy way around this is to forget the 240 relay, and just buy a simple on-off relay from Napa.

That's what I did on mine, with an illuminated rocker switch mounted below the heater controls. Simple, and takes care of the warning light as well. The only real downside is that it's not self-cancelling when you shift out of 4th gear, but the stock setup in my 1800 doesn't do that either.

Right,so why go economy if you can fly first class for only a few bucks more? $39.95 From ipd - or a trip to the junkyard ;-)
Bob S.

In the spirit of keeping things simple, you can wire the o.d. using an on/off switch to control a simple relay (anything, ford, volvo whatever: I used an old volvo reverse switch relay because it looked nice next to the other reverse relay) that is open when no power applied and closed (makes the circuit) when the dash switch is on. the wire from the relay then goes to the 4th gear lock in/out and then goes to the solenoid. This is the easiest and most foolproof method, although I guess an argument could be made that the draw of the relay would not happen with a more sophisticated set up. Lots of dash switches available but you should know that technically, in 1968 there were not any pointed switches on the dash anymore, I believe this was a legislated safety standard, that was implemented to avoid punctures during accidents. I also am interested in avoiding punturing my body should an accident occur and so try to use push button switches on my dash.
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Patrick, '68 220, '83 245, '92 Eurovan (work truck).

I'm certain there are nice looking chrome momentary toggle switches out there... An electronics supply store should be able to help. I've had terrible luck with switches purchased at almost any big chain auto parts store.

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-Matt '70 145s, '65 1800s, '66 122s wagon, others inc. '53 XK120 FHC

I have used momentary switches from Radio Shack for automotive applications. I don't think those switches are rated for 12 volts, but I've used them for electronic horns and garage-door openers mounted in motorcycle fairings.

I doubt the OD switching setup uses enough amperage to cause a problem.

I believe Radio Shack has a couple of styles of those switches, just a simple push button, but one looks more attractive in a dash. The other has a visible metal nut. And they come in both red and black colors.

Good luck!