Volvo 240 Wiring the instrument panel for an engine swap

If you want to continue using the original instrument panel, and thus the engine malfunction indicator, oil pressure, tachometer, etc., after an engine swap, you will need to modify the wiring. This is because the wires that originally went to the B20, B230, or other engine are no longer connected to anything. With the information in this article, you can retain most of the instrument panel functions, which saves costs and, of course, improves the aesthetics. Below you will find various diagrams with the corresponding pin assignments, so you know exactly which wires from the engine need to be connected to the corresponding wire from the dashboard. If you want to convert the odometer to a GPS model, you can use the LCM GPS speedometer plates. This allows for easy installation of a GPS speedometer into the original Volvo 240 counter.

Volvo 240 1st Generation (1974-1980)

31. This is the 12-pin connector on the back of the dashboard31.1. Yellow - Not used 31.2. Blue/Yellow - Lighting failure indicator (ground) 31.3. White/Red - High beam indicator (+) 31.4. Red - Alternator indicator light (ground) (from 31.9) This connection is important in an engine swap, because without an alternator, the alternator will not be activated. 31.5. Grey - Brake operating light (ground) 31.6. Blue - Right turn signal light (+) 31.7. Not used 31.8. Green - Left indicator light (+) 31.9. Red - Alternator indicator light, comes from alternator D+ (goes to 31.4) This also needs to be reconnected 31.10. Yellow - Coolant temperature signal. The easiest way is to install the Volvo coolant sensor into the new engine and connect this cable. All you have to do is cut the thread to the correct size and use the original Volvo sensor. 31.11. Black - Oil pressure sensor signal Check if the old and new sensors function identically. This is usually an on/off sensor, and there's a good chance the sensor can also be used for the new engine. 31.12. Yellow - Overdrive indicator light (+) Comes from switch
32. This is the 5-pin connector on the back of the instrument panel32.1. Brown - Handbrake indicator light (ground) 32.2. Blue/Red - 12V from fuse 5 (1980 it is fuse 13) 32.3. Black - Choke indicator light (+) 32.4. Grey - Fuel level sensor signal

34. This is the 2-pin connector on the back of the instrument panel 34.1. Red - EGR switch signal (ground) 34.2. Red - EGR light (ground)

Volvo 240 (1984-1987 VDO)

31. This is the 12-pin connector on the back of the instrument panel 31.1. Grey - Brake operating light (ground) 31.2. Yellow - Coolant temperature signal. The easiest way is to install the Volvo coolant sensor into the new engine and connect this cable. All you have to do is choose the correct cable size. 31.3. White/Red - High beam indicator (+) 31.4. Yellow - Overdrive indicator light (+) Comes from switch. 31.5. Black - OP light (ground) 31.6. Red - AC relay 31.7. Blue - Right turn signal light (+) 31.8. Green - Left indicator light (+) 31.9. White - 12V from fuse 8 goes to clock and tachometer 31.10. Brown - 12V from lamps 31.11. Red - Alternator indicator light, comes from D+ (ground) of the alternator This should also be reconnected to the new engine's alternator. 31.12. Blue/Yellow - Lighting control light (ground)
32. This is the 5-pin connector on the back of the instrument panel 32.1. Grey - Fuel level sensor signal 32.2. Brown - Handbrake indicator light (ground) 32.3. Black or Blue - Turbo warning light (ground) (1987 not used) 32.4. Black - Ground

34. This is the 1-pin connector on the back of the dashboard for the overdrive when it is switched off 1987 Extras 200. Gear shift indicator

233.1 Blue - Differential speed sensor

233.2 Black - Differential speed sensor

233.3 Red Black - 12V operating position of the contact