removing overdrive relay from 1990 240

baygulls5 · Post by **baygulls5** » 10 Aug 2011, 21:52

I have looked at many sites and forums which explain this replacement as "simply removing your glove compartment and replacing your OD relay." Have done that but there is no way my OD relay is detaching from the wires/prongs. I've taken off the center console including the vents but to no avail. Is my OD relay supposed to easily detach? Can't find this info anywhere. Thanks very much. Shannon

wojeepster · Post by **wojeepster** » 11 Aug 2011, 07:24

They usually just plug in but they can be tight. Have you tried prying with a small screwdriver?

baygulls5 · Post by **baygulls5** » 11 Aug 2011, 10:37

I am afraid to pull too hard and brake any wires. The wires appear to be very short as I can't pull the relay out from just this side of the right vent. So I can't get a good grip on it from both sides short of what looks like removing the entire dashboard. It does appear to be the original Volvo relay so I guess that may explain the difficulty removing it.

Post by **billofdurham** » 11 Aug 2011, 11:26

As wojeepster said don't pull the relay. Try to get a small screwdriver under the relay and lever the relay up and away from the holder. If a screwdriver is too thick try a small bladed paint scraper. Whichever you use hold the relay holder with one hand to avoid unnecessary strain on the wires and take care not to cut yourself.

Bill.

baygulls5 · Post by **baygulls5** » 11 Aug 2011, 11:56

The relay is free from any clips to the dashboard, its not a matter of not being able to move it. I just can't separate the switch from the plug in/wires. There seems to be one side or prong that doesn't want to come out. Three sides of the relay seem to separate, the fourth side is stuck tight. Is it worth taking the dash off for this or maybe I just take it in and be done with it.

Post by **Volvo_240_Atari_2600** » 13 Aug 2011, 09:35

As Billofdurham and wojeepster said...
Wires are definately short... Volvo could have given them another inch or two, but reality is, they did not.

To take it in for something so small and easy to DIY, its silly to spend on labor for this unless you have a mechanic who is not a thief and would do the right thing.

You do not need to disassemble the desh of central console...
With the glove box out of the car, many OD Relays were secured to the inner dash behind the radio by either a clip or a zip tie.

As you said, it had no clip, so that is fine... You need to pull the relay back as far as the wires will let you... And yes... DO NOT pull on the relay, however as the two other replies came in, you will need to squeeze a small flat head screy driver or a paint scraper between the fourth plug and the relay and pry side to side until it loosens...

Good luck

baygulls5 · Post by **baygulls5** » 16 Aug 2011, 16:13

Update. Still couldn't get the relay switch out. However, I guess all the twisting, turning you name it fixed (temporarily?) the problem and now its getting into/out of high gear. I'll leave it for now, have got the new relay ready for when it goes. Thanks for the info.

Post by **billofdurham** » 17 Aug 2011, 12:18

Quite often a dodgy relay can be coaxed to life by giving it a good, sharp flick of the finger. However, this is usually only a short term fix so keep the new relay and a screwdriver or paint scraper in the glove box.

Thank you for the update.

Bill.

Gottheneed · Post by **Gottheneed** » 16 Sep 2011, 05:54

baygulls5 wrote:The relay is free from any clips to the dashboard, its not a matter of not being able to move it. I just can't separate the switch from the plug in/wires. There seems to be one side or prong that doesn't want to come out. Three sides of the relay seem to separate, the fourth side is stuck tight. Is it worth taking the dash off for this or maybe I just take it in and be done with it.

I am certainly not trying to assume you don't already know this but if you are trying to separate the switch from the "wires/plug ins" there is actually a small prong on each metal wire end that needs to be depressed so it can back out.
This is not the same as separating the relay from the housing. It is more like separating the wires from the housing if that makes sense.
Do you have photos?

Sent from me to YOUR MOM