MIJ's Intermittent Reverse Lights tutorial?

Post by **SonicAdventure** » 15 Jun 2021, 08:19

Does anyone have a link to the old, 10+ years now, tutorial put together by MIJ for the PNP switch repair/alignment?

I clicked on an old thread from 2009 but the link no longer works. Ozark Lee posted it. Here is the non-working link: https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/13/tr ... -the-tool/

Thanks.

Post by **erikv11** » 15 Jun 2021, 08:37

viewtopic.php?t=14758

However IIRC the best resource is the DIY write-up by "polskamafia mjl" on replacing the PNP from the MVS repair database.

Post by **matthew1** » 15 Jun 2021, 11:54

SonicAdventure wrote: ↑15 Jun 2021, 08:19 I clicked on an old thread from 2009 but the link no longer works. Ozark Lee posted it. Here is the non-working link: https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/13/tr ... -the-tool/

Sorry about that, SA. Link fixed.

Also, the VRD posts tagged "PNP" are here: https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/?s=pnp

Post by **SonicAdventure** » 17 Jun 2021, 19:43

Thank you - geez I wish this one wasn't so complicated!

I see FCP has the Skandix ones on sale ATM - or - I already have what I think is an OEM (well used but was functional when it came off the car) unit from my 98 n/a V70.

I have taken these off, and I understand the repair, but I've never installed one and its not a job I would want to do again. If not Skandix or re-use the one I have, what is the next best part source so I can compare prices, warranties?

Thanks -
Sonic

Post by **abscate** » 19 Jun 2021, 03:10

I’m getting the MVS Prickilies (tm) thst a prior thread on this topic says PNP OE only…

I want to say PPS was the offending vendor but can’t point to the the thread

Post by **SonicAdventure** » 21 Jun 2021, 06:22

Does it seem like a better idea to try to rebuild/refurbish an older OEM one, or buy an OEM one new?

I know there is typically some back and forth on this: in some cases the old OEM units are considered better and vise versa.

Most of the ones I see in junkyards look like old OEM units that are original to the car. Doesn't seem like much advantage to pull and reuse an old old part that is prone to wonky issues. I'm game for going the new OEM route, but if the new OEM is poor quality...

Post by **erikv11** » 21 Jun 2021, 16:44

The old PNP switches are well investigated: there is only one issue. The three copper contacts inside get worn down. If you're up to the effort for rebuilding which amounts to opening, cleaning, flattening and replacing the copper contacts and re-greasing, then I would have very high confidence in an old rebuilt one. Especially if you can pull a few old ones, and collect the best copper contacts for your rebuilt.

I don't now about the new vs old ones in the case of the PNP switch. If they are fine and the cost is not an issue, a new one would be a good way to go.

Post by **SonicAdventure** » 22 Jun 2021, 07:00

erikv11 wrote: ↑21 Jun 2021, 16:44 The old PNP switches are well investigated: there is only one issue. The three copper contacts inside get worn down. If you're up to the effort for rebuilding which amounts to opening, cleaning, flattening and replacing the copper contacts and re-greasing, then I would have very high confidence in an old rebuilt one. Especially if you can pull a few old ones, and collect the best copper contacts for your rebuilt.

I don't now about the new vs old ones in the case of the PNP switch. If they are fine and the cost is not an issue, a new one would be a good way to go.

Yeah...I technically have three old ones at this point, one from my 98, which was old but worked when pulled, the one on my car now, which is iffy, and another old one I pulled over the weekend but had a heck of a time wrangling out and which I assume to be original to the donor car. I plan to crack one open, get a feel for what cleaning and rebuilding would entail, but looking at these old ones with their brittle wires and heavily oxidized cases, a new one just seems more appealing.

I might opt for new, and keep a rebuilt old one on hand just in case... Would this be a dealer part, or do you think FCP's Scandex one would be close enough? The cost, within reason, is not the issue. I just don't want to mess with this again for a long while!

Post by **erikv11** » 22 Jun 2021, 08:01

Good call on the wires/harness. If you don't have one with good wires then rebuilding is maybe not worth the effort. You just have to make a call on the condition of the old ones.

From everything I am looking at, the PNP is no longer available (NLA) from Volvo. So the only option would be aftermarket and yes I would go FCP and Skandix in that case, probably worth rolling the dice given your options.

Post by **SonicAdventure** » 22 Jun 2021, 13:18

erikv11 wrote: ↑22 Jun 2021, 08:01 Good call on the wires/harness. If you don't have one with good wires then rebuilding is maybe not worth the effort. You just have to make a call on the condition of the old ones.

From everything I am looking at, the PNP is no longer available (NLA) from Volvo. So the only option would be aftermarket and yes I would go FCP and Skandix in that case, probably worth rolling the dice given your options.

Thanks for your insight. I ordered the PNP from FCP, should be able to get it on in the next week or so. Will update the forum if there are any surprises, thanks to all of you for your advice as usual.