Volvo Repair: electrical and air cond., r 12 freon, high beams


Question
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Followup To
Question -
2 things...
1990 volvo 5sd wagon....my 4th volvo......all new i smell the buring electrial like i have in the past and had to replace the headlamp switch on all...just did that on this one and still no low beams.....if I hold the high beams on I have headlight otherwise none...what switch or relay do i replace now.....and airconditining....where do i put freon in.....i cannot find low pressure opening between the dashboard and compressor....its it he big black screw on cap right before it goes into evaporator?   Thanks if you can
Answer -
Hello Phillip,  The 'step relay' is the headlite relay.Its located on the drivers sd.fender,its silver and has two connector,they're different so you can't mix them up.Bend it up so you can get to the anchor screws.(they are tight so be careful and use a good screwdriver)The connector somtimes are deformed due to heat,caused by loose contact.If they are clean them ,squeeze the slide on ends a little tighter. As for the a/c,you should have a large silver cylinder with a/c hoses .r-12 freon  you fill it at the 'small' fill port thats on the rearward side of the"accumlator".It has a 'small' black cap.That large on was for the factory filling. Thank You and good hunting!  PKD

OK.  I originally smelled the burning electrial smell when I would turn the headlamps on at night.  Having owned sevreal volvos I just thought it was the headlamp switch on dashbord.  while I would smell the burning smell my headlamps would flicker on and off......the just stay on.  Finally they went out....HOWEVER when I hold the high beam switch on (the signal switch) my high beams will stay on.   SO the first thing I did was replace the headlamp switch on dashboard...NO LUCK.  the burning smell is long gone but the new switch did not help.   I asked you and you gave good advice to check the step relay.....I put a new step relay in today and still same problem.   no lowbeams that stay 0n..but as above if i pull back on the high beam switch (signal) and hold it on the high beams stay on so I can at least get somewhere in dark.  What is the next switch I need to replace.......could it be somewhere in the signal switch on the steering column.   I have noticed now that my signal switch clicks to move it up to put it in the position to turn the right signal on and then springs back.  however when i move it down to turn on the left turn signal there is not click anymore and it will not return to the normal positon after the turn.....no spring back.......I really do appreciate your advice.  The airconditioning went great.  Thank you Phillip

Answer
Hello Phillip,Yes the stalk switch is failing,the 'detent'check ball' is not locking in placeAnd may be free floating inside the assy.You also have the actual 'headlight relay' its under the drivers carpet,to the left/level with the ster.col.'83/'91.Its alone, the only other relays near are a pair of single relays for the wiper delays ft/rr .It also may of been the burn smell.Let me know,thanks and good hunting!  PKD