The Dark Wob

A couple of weeks ago I got the bits to add cruise control to the Volvo





It all came from an automatic S70 so it was missing the clutch switch/valve. I fitted all the bits I had and tried it out. It didn't work.

I finally had time to investigate today. The most obvious reason was that the bellows ran out of travel before the telescopic pull rod started moving the pedal. According to VIDA the 850 uses a hinged pull rod, which is presumably shorter.

When I fitted the parts the mountings for the accelerator control were already there so I used them. This was a mistake, they are quite different.



With the S70 bits fitted I took it out for another test run. Still nothing. I buzzed out the brake switch and found that it's normally closed. I bridged the connection for the missing clutch switch (which is the same part number as the brake one) and tried again. Success!

Back from my weeks holiday in Normandy with the Merc performing faultlessly, 1300 miles covered in a week. Lpg was easily available, most Total garages seem to sell it. Fuel is expensive in France, but lpg there is still about 50% of the cost of petrol. The small donut tank is a major pain in the arse, 200 mile range on a run. Had fantastic weather and only the odd quick shower. Lots of lovely old french vehicles spotted, and nearly every town had a D day museum of some sort. Seeing the beaches, cemeteries, and the gun emplacements was a moving experience. Standing in front of all the headstones in the cemetery in Bayeux and imagining soldiers stood there instead brought a tear to the eye. Now to plan the next trip over there.

300 miles racked up this week in the Prelude so gave it a treat via the local Eastern European Vehicle Wash Emporium.

I'm in a bit of a dilemna with it though as I'm going to be doing 300 miles a week for the foreseeable due to a new job, so tempted to get something else for better MPG'S, as the 4 speed autobox ain't great on that front. Plus some waft would be nice for the motorways. Look at it though. And yes that is an AS sticker on its arse *runs*

Sri05 wrote: ↑Sun Jun 23, 2019 12:51 pm 300 miles racked up this week in the Prelude so gave it a treat via the local Eastern European Vehicle Wash Emporium.

I'm in a bit of a dilemna with it though as I'm going to be doing 300 miles a week for the foreseeable due to a new job, so tempted to get something else for better MPG'S, as the 4 speed autobox ain't great on that front. Plus some waft would be nice for the motorways. Look at it though. And yes that is an AS sticker on its arse *runs*

Is there lockup on the fourth gear? If so, it might not be as bad as you think once on a high speed run.

It doesn't feel like it, it sits at about 3.5k revs at 70 and it feels like it's wanting you to press on and do more when it's there.

Seems a bit high but may be about right, I thought all modern autos had a lock up above certain rpm/ speed function though.

To be fair it's 26 years old, does that count as modern?!

Today I went to Bicester Heritage Superscramble. A most worthy event but a long old slog too get there.

For Herr Junkmann, one of them fuel injection BMW's;

Sri05 wrote: ↑Sun Jun 23, 2019 7:00 pm To be fair it's 26 years old, does that count as modern?!

I seem to recall from Ghosty's endless history of Honda autoboxes about that age that it should lock up at about 50mph.

Sri05 wrote: ↑Sun Jun 23, 2019 12:51 pm 300 miles racked up this week in the Prelude so gave it a treat via the local Eastern European Vehicle Wash Emporium.

I'm in a bit of a dilemna with it though as I'm going to be doing 300 miles a week for the foreseeable due to a new job, so tempted to get something else for better MPG'S, as the 4 speed autobox ain't great on that front. Plus some waft would be nice for the motorways. Look at it though. And yes that is an AS sticker on its arse *runs*

Looks a nice thing, heavy consumption'll be that sticker ruining the aerodynamics.