Emergency Flasher Retrofit for 122/1800
R. Kwas 6/99, revised 10/00, 07/02
This article is in the process of being finished up. It will consist of notes on the subject and installation procedure for retrofitting an emergency flasher switch. We have a limited number of O.E. switches (used), as found on 1800s and early 140s, and seen in picture below, available.
Background
In the late '60s, four-way flasher came into general use
on new vehicles. By tying both right and left directional indicator
circuits together, the emergency flasher was created, giving the car double
the visual impact when activated. The original
equipment emergency flasher switch was really an add-on, installed typically on late
production 122s and 1800s by the stateside dealer, who mounted it (not
particularly attractively) below the dashboard in the fan switch
area.
Given the miniscule directional signals compared to later cars, it is a very worthwhile safety upgrade to retrofit a vintage Volvo with this feature. Shown in the picture below (with all wires except those required for a retrofit installation removed), is one of the switches as used in early 140s. These switches had a knob with an indicator lamp very similar in appearance to those of the 122 and 1800, so will fit in nicely.
In order for the switch to be instantly accessible, and to make for a nice, neat, O.E looking installation, I have successfully installed the switch in place of the cigarette lighter on both 122s and 1800s, the 1800 installation shown below is in a new hole - the lighter hole was used for something else and not available. When doing the upgrade, the amount of room available behind mounting is an important consideration...at 3 3/4" deep behind the panel because of that flasher element, these switches are fairly long, and so won't fit just anywhere. Measure twice before cutting metal!
 Emergency Flasher installed in 122S |
 Emergency Flasher installed in an 1800 |
Emergency Flasher Upgrade Procedure (122/1800):
This procedure has been prepared with the utmost care. However, it is strictly a guide to be used in conjunction with normal, cautious shop practice. I cannot accept liability for your actions. Work Safely.
Special tools required: 140 style Emergency Flasher Switch, Electrical crimp-tool, 7mm or 9/32" nut driver.
Refer to electrical diagrams: 122 Wiring Diagram, 1800 Wiring Diagram
1. Prepare switch wiring: Remove all wiring except for a Blue wire on L terminal, a Green wire on R terminal, and a Red wire on terminal 30.
Emergency Flasher Switch Wiring
2. Disconnect Vehicle battery before proceeding.
3. If mounting the switch in hole originally intended for cigarette lighter, remove lighter, disconnecting power wire from back of lighter, and using nut-driver at back of ignition switch, removing other end of this wire from terminal 54 (ignition power). If not replacing lighter, do not touch its' power wire. In both cases, connect the red wire from emergency switch terminal 30 to terminal 30 (battery power) of ignition switch (has heavy black wire and possibly others).
4. Mount switch. Be aware, switch is 3 3/4" long behind panel. If mounting in former cigarette lighter hole, washers should be used to center the switch as well as keeping it from falling through the (much oversized) hole. The switch bushing also requires a good electrical connection to the dashboard sheetmetal, as it is the ground return current path for the indicator lamp in the knob.
5. Locate [on 122 - Blue (left directional signal circuit) and Green (right directional signal circuit) - on 1800 Green/Red (left directional signal circuit) and Green/White (right directional signal circuit)] wires under dashboard [located by steering column harness (make careful incision through sleeving to gain access), or at connector (in case of 122) or harness (in case of 1800) of wires which go up A pillar, over roof and to rear of vehicle] and connect to these, by first cutting, then using butt crimp and suitable crimp-tool to reconnect wires, adding the appropriate wire which route to emergency flasher control switch. Route wires along existing harnesses taking care to stay clear of moving linkages under dashboard such as wipers and steering column.
6. Double check wiring, resolve any items of question before proceeding.
7. Reconnect battery.
8. Verify operation of emergency flasher control. Note: The indicator lamp in the knob should flash, but the instrument panel directional indicator will not.
Comments on this procedure are welcome. R. Kwas 10/00, revs. 11/01, 07/02
Amendment for 544 / 210 or even 444 / 544 (6V) vehicles.
Although I haven't personally upgraded one of these vehicles, it is certainly still a very good idea.
Refer to electrical diagrams: 544/210 Wiring Diagram, 544 (6V) Wiring Diagram, 444 (6V) Wiring Diagram.
From the 544/210 and 544 (6V) wiring diagrams, the color codes are Green for Left, Blue for Right directional circuits, and these wire should be easily accessed at harness going to the directional indicator. [No comments yet on 444 vehicles until I get to check a wiring diagram!]
