Volvo 240/260 New Face Overlay Installation 1981-93 Models

These new face overlays the product of a years of research and experimentation. They are printed on special, high quality self adhesive vinyl and UV laminated for ultimate protection. Please follow these instructions closely and you will have a very nice looking set of gauges in your Volvo. Also, many of the ideas I use for these faces and the techniques shown in these instructions come from customers like yourself. If you have an idea that will help future Volvonuts with a smoother installation, please let me know. Recommended List of Tools: Small flat screwdriver, medium or large flat screwdriver, medium Phillips head screwdriver, T-25 Torx driver for some later models (not shown), small nail puller or similar (as pictured here), or sometimes a fork, and a small piece (a few square inches) of thin sheet metal or similar stiff material (see instructions for that).
Step 1: Removing the Gauge Pod
First, you will need to remove your dash gauge pod. It is a very simple procedure. The photo below shows the removal of the steering wheel. This was done for photo purposes only and is not required. If you have a 1981 through 1985 240, you will need to disconnect the speedometer cable from the back of the speedometer. If you have an ’86 and later car, you have an electronic speedometer and do not have a cable attached to the back. There will be an electrical plug to disconnect, which you’ll be able to see after you pull the gauge pod out of the dash a short distance.
(1981-85 240) To remove the speedo cable, look under the dash area and remove the plastic fasteners that hold the black cloth cover under the dash. There should also be a fat rubber band around the heater vent… remove it also. Now lower the cloth cover. You may now reach up to the back of the speedo and find a plastic retainer collar on the cable end that attaches to the speedo. This collar needs to be twisted approximately 90 degrees counter-clockwise to release the cable. Then the cable may be pulled free from the speedo. NOTE: If you have trouble twisting the collar, there may be a larger plastic “anti-tamper” collar over the cable collar on the speedometer back. This anti-tamper collar may be pried off with a screwdriver and discarded.
(1986-93 240) For the later models with an electric speedo, there may also be a plastic “anti-tamper” cover that makes it difficult to unplug the electrical speedo connector. It too, may be pried off (this may be done after you pull the gauge pod out a few inches). On the front of the dash (left side of pod), pull off the headlight switch knob and the dash light dimmer knob (pry off with a screwdriver if it’s hard to pull off). Pry off the plastic cover. If it’s connected to a switch (i.e.: fog lights), there is no need to unplug it as long as you can let it hang out of the way.

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