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Oh, hey there, halp

1806 Views 15 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  John2x240, 
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Today, I bought my fourth Volvo (3rd in the 240 series) for $800. It's an '85 wagon, silver with navy blue int., not sure of the trim level, no emblems other than VOLVO...the grill has a turbo badge, but I suspect this is only because of grill replacement, as I'm not seeing anything different from my other two DLs under the hood.

Anyhow, the thing is in pretty swell shape at 138,000m, considering the price...paint is super shiny, three small flaws at most, the seats (I'm hoping leather, but with my luck they're vinyl, I can't tell) and carpet are pretty clean, I haven't detailed yet. The headliner...well, you can't win em all, eh? But, for the low price of $800, you're gonna find a few warts, hopefully nothing major for a fella who can change oil if he's not feeling lazy! So, I was wondering if you folks would help a fellow, ah, enthusiast out? Most of the problems are of the electrical nature, but I'll list;

*The lo beams do not work at all. Hi beams work when you hold the lever back.

*Power sunroof opened, then I closed it, now it won't open. it's glass, the switch looks very non-stock. Like a window switch from an old dodge or something.

*When I have the key in the middle position (not on, not off, just lights, ya dig?) there is this very audible 'WHIRRR' coming from the back of the car, sounds like it's coming from under, somewhere near the back axle.

*The front wipers move very slowly, even in fast mode. Back wipers and sprayer do nothing.

*No radio, the one that was there was mounted in the bottom of the console, and the top mount radio's from my 1990 240 don't fit


*I couldn't seem to get my front right signal assembly to stay in while driving, it just flopped out and scratched the fender. I looked and it seems that the clips aren't holding, and I 'm unsure if I can order clips by themselves

*It's not the fuses, because they're all in place. 2 of them are fishy though...they're the little plastic holders, but someone has used copper wire to replace the piece of metal you usually find. I have fuses and would have replaced, but this rigged up ones look like a lot of trouble for a body to go through(why not use a bullet?), I don't know anybody too cheap for a fuse
so I was leaving it alone until I heard otherwise, fearing that I'll screw the pooch. The fuses in question aren't to anything I'm having trouble with anyway.

I'm just looking for some advice to get this thing running as it should be, as a sort of a testament to the other Volvos that I've destroyed. I'm wanting to use as many parts from my other 240's as possible, but seeing as they're 1990 models, I'm not sure what will cross over...but I figure that's where you all come in, right? RIGHT? lol

Thanks to anybody who responds, will post pics tomorrow if it's sunny in Ky...it really is a pretty example for a seen one you seen em all sort of car.

Again, thanks a million.

-Gj

Modified by WildcatRag at 9:33 AM 3-12-2009
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Re: Oh, hey there, halp (WildcatRag)

Quote, originally posted by WildcatRag »
*The lo beams do not work at all. Hi beams work when you hold the lever back. (Faulty headlight relays - 2).

*Power sunroof opened, then I closed it, now it won't open. it's glass, the switch looks very non-stock. Like a window switch from an old dodge or something. (Look for a time-delay reset or relay to protect motor).

*When I have the key in the middle position (not on, not off, just lights, ya dig?) there is this very audible 'WHIRRR' coming from the back of the car, sounds like it's coming from under, somewhere near the back axle. (Fuel pump(s) is/are about to fail - car may have both in-tank pump and another on the frame near the rear axle).

*The front wipers move very slowly, even in fast mode. Back wipers and sprayer do nothing. (Wiper relay failing and also broken electrical wires in tail gate harness near hinges and under the headliner).

*No radio, the one that was there was mounted in the bottom of the console, and the top mount radio's from my 1990 240 don't fit
(If you want a "stock" system the salvage yards should have 240 radios '82-'85 by the tons).

*I couldn't seem to get my front right signal assembly to stay in while driving, it just flopped out and scratched the fender. I looked and it seems that the clips aren't holding, and I 'm unsure if I can order clips by themselves. (Don't bother - just post your needs on the Want Ads here at Swedespeed).

*It's not the fuses, because they're all in place. 2 of them are fishy though...they're the little plastic holders, but someone has used copper wire to replace the piece of metal you usually find. I have fuses and would have replaced, but this rigged up ones look like a lot of trouble for a body to go through(why not use a bullet?), I don't know anybody too cheap for a fuse
so I was leaving it alone until I heard otherwise, fearing that I'll screw the pooch. The fuses in question aren't to anything I'm having trouble with anyway. (If you plan to keep this car order a full set of 240 fuses from ipd, clean and repair the fuse box as needed then install the correct fuses per rating. Have spare fuses available as the car appears to have electrical problems that will be solve-able once you isolate which fused circuits are faulty).

Welcome to Swedespeed, Glenn.

You must be setting up a wagon for the tobacco harvest - eh?

See above.

George Dill
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Re: Oh, hey there, halp (gdill2)

lol, I wish I was a backey farmer...as a smoker, this new tax is gonna take all my Volvo-suping money. $50.00 a carton come april 1st (oh, if only it were a joke) for a product that is primarily harvested in my region. Time to quit (well, it's always time to quit) not even 21, but I couldn't smoke in a bar anyway


Anyhow, thanks for the advice, I was figuring relays and stuff, hoping just bulbs, and praying that it's not a wiring harness


So, that being said, if it WERE to be the wiring harness, considering this is an 85, how would I find if it used the earlier harness or the one after? Just by checking the end? OR? I've read somewhere that they started switching during this crossover year, so idk, just really don't want to shell out that $415. Ha, I'm just gonna have to go get my hands dirty, it's a shame the weather turned so nasty as soon as I bought this thing. 80 degree temps, then boom, freezeout.

Anyhow, pics this evening...I need to take pics of my totaled out cars anyhow, for that other thread.

OK, again, I'll try this stuff out, and let you all know, thanks a ton, dill

-Gj
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Re: Oh, hey there, halp (WildcatRag)

Ah, my camera decided to crap out on me before I was through...don't know what is the matter with it, but oh well, no interior pics.

here is my recent acquisition;



here is a general engine shot, just so you all can disprove that it's a turbo;



and, a close up of the all the stuff near the battery, looks rough;



ouchers, so, is that broken off white thingy the headlight relay? If so, can I just swap the mount and stuff from my 90 DL?

Eh, I have more questions, but those will have to wait until I can figure out this camera thing.

Oh, and I engaged the OD yesterday, and unengaged it as well, several times...parked, went in restaurant to eat. When I started it back up, OD was on, switch wouldn't switch it. Today, I'm driving to class, and halfway there, the OD kicks off by itself, so I haven't touched it since.

I read you all going on in another thread about solenoid, or something...no clue what that is.

Well, thanks again, will have interior shots soon.

-Gj
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Re: Oh, hey there, halp (WildcatRag)

Quote, originally posted by WildcatRag »
Ah, my camera decided to crap out on me before I was through...don't know what is the matter with it, but oh well, no interior pics.

ouchers, so, is that broken off white thingy the headlight relay? If so, can I just swap the mount and stuff from my 90 DL?

Eh, I have more questions, but those will have to wait until I can figure out this camera thing.

-Gj

That white thing is the remains of the FI fuse holder.
You need to put the power distribution piece back in the holder and get a cover before it shorts out to the relay (probably the headlight).
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Re: Oh, hey there, halp (WildcatRag)

I couldn't help but notice you said your '85 Wagon has a Power Sunroof. I did not think that a sunroof was an option for the wagons, even for aftermarket because of a roof beam running right across where a sunroof would go. Did the previous owner mention anything about adding that in? I also thought all sunroofs in 240s were manual.

(Didn't mean to thread steal)

Edit: Beautiful car by the way.
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Re: Oh, hey there, halp (swimmer240)

Ha, don't worry about jacking the thread, swim, I'm awfully curious about this machine myself, so any input helps. Yeah, the sunroof worries me a bit...looks like there are a few rust spots in the headliner, which you never really notice till after you buy the car, haha. It IS a power one as well, and I said in an earlier post that the switch looked like an old dodge window one. I think it's actually a ford switch (ironic, no?). A little silver square, with an etched flipper right in the middle. Oh well, I'm talking all switchy now.

The sunroof itself is glass, which I hear isn't an option at all on 240s, but that info came from the internet
Like I mentioned earlier, I'll post more pics fleetly, but between my crappy camera and this surprise winter storm in march, I can't even spit.

Oh, back to the light/relay problems (and sorry if I get too technical here, bob, lol); The little white thing, the FI fuse holder? Is it causing my lights not to work? Or would it be the power distributor? cause, in my 1990 parts car, the FI leads into a wire, and that then leads to a group of more wires. But, in this 85, I can't find the wire where I would plug the fuse into and hook back onto that FI thing. So, has somebody removed this intentionally? Or does it sound jerry-rigged up just so that it can run? It's looking more and more like I'm gonna shell out $400, lol. I dunno, I just really hate to pay somebody to look at it, even though I really don't know what I'm doing...I got faith in myself, at the very least!

Ah, I know it's a garbled up mess, but Ig uess we'll figure it out. or I'll shell out $$$, or something.

Alright, thank you all very much,
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Re: Oh, hey there, halp (WildcatRag)

Pop-up glass sunroofs were available as a dealer accessory (at least overseas), but the only power glass sunroof units in 245s I have seen were aftermarket units. ASC (American Sunroof Corp) and Webasto both made units I have seen in 240s. Both companies still exist and may be able to provide some info. Does the glass have any markings on it at all?
Power motors and switches were available as an accessory for 240's with the normal metal sunroof. You may be able to find a proper 240 switch to replace the aftermarket one if that bothers you.

Its certainly not a turbo, but it sounds like you already knew that. If you remove the grille you'll see how the turbo emblem is held on by two bent wires, they're pretty easy to remove if you wish to.
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If I can interject something here... that broken piece on the stand-off bracket is what I asked about in another post and George said 'If it ain't broke...'. That's the little box with the tab on top where the pigtail from the pos. battery cable goes. How do you get it apart to reconnect a new battery cable pigtail? My 84 is a turbo but I thought that all of the fuel pump fuses were on the inner panel on the driver's side.
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Re: (JBLasVegas)

If this helps, on my two 240s ('88 &'89 but I think your '85 is similar) there's three things there; the headlight flasher relay, a black box which I think is some sort of junction block (and I tried to pop open mine too without success, but I didn't use a lot of force) and a white plastic in line fuse holder for the main/fuel pump relay with a 25 amp spade-type fuse in it.
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Re: (John2x240)

Uhh... no, that under hood fuse that's generally in that location is for LH-Jetronic only. I have CIS. There has never been a fuse in that area ever on my car and I bought it with something less than 40 miles.
But following true to form, I can't seem to get a simple answer.
That little broken box with the white connector hanging down below it is what my question is about.
One more time. What is it, and what does it do with respect to the pigtail that comes off of the battery that is about a foot or so in front of it?????
Number ONE... How do you open that box to reconnect the pigtail for a new battery cable????

That's it. Very simple. All I know is that the box has six thick wires coming out of it including the pigtail from the positive. What do you do with the tab on top of that black plastic housing... push it toward the engine, away from the engine, or what?

You'll have to study that photo to see what I mean... it's the larger close-up photo.
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Re: (JBLasVegas)

Quote, originally posted by JBLasVegas »
Uhh... no, that under hood fuse that's generally in that location is for LH-Jetronic only. I have CIS. There has never been a fuse in that area ever on my car and I bought it with something less than 40 miles.
But following true to form, I can't seem to get a simple answer.
That little broken box with the white connector hanging down below it is what my question is about.
One more time. What is it, and what does it do with respect to the pigtail that comes off of the battery that is about a foot or so in front of it?????
Number ONE... How do you open that box to reconnect the pigtail for a new battery cable????

That's it. Very simple. All I know is that the box has six thick wires coming out of it including the pigtail from the positive. What do you do with the tab on top of that black plastic housing... push it toward the engine, away from the engine, or what?

You'll have to study that photo to see what I mean... it's the larger close-up photo.

The cover for the box slides off, directly upwards. The little tab on top has to be pushed towards the center of the car.

That metal bus with all those heavy wires should be inside that box.

I have no Idea as to what that white plastic thing is either, maybe someone had added an acessory some time back and removed it.
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Re: (VolvoBob)

Oh de lally, the day I take pictures is the day this thread picks up steam! Ha, I'll note here that the white plastic thing (the FI sensor?) has been in all of my 240s, but here someone has changed it's position to an inline fuse, as will be evidenced below. I have a ton of pictures, some relevant, some just there for being there's sake, so, I'll pull a Leone' and break it down into three parts;

THE GOOD.


I replaced the relay and put a cover on that thing, a lot prettier, eh? The headlights now work, and the wipers work like they should...well, the wipers work for a while, but they start slowing down until they stop, sort of like a windup...causes?



The FI relay, or whatever, turned out to be moved onto the wire. I'm guessing this is for stereo/sunroof purposes, but the fact that it is there is pleasing.



the remains of the clip that secured the FR signal to the fender were still in place here, so...



...some super glue and a day later, the thing is back in place. Some soldering and about thirty minutes should have this back in place. Unless this is a total fail idea, haha.

Really, the thing is still running sound, unless I don't let her warm up...I supect this has more to do with needing a tuneup than anything.

THE BAD.



I'm experiencing some sort of leak from my power steering. Ideas?



This spring fell out from under the passenger side dash. I really have no idea what it is, again, ideas?



This molding around the sunroof is loose, and rattles if I leave the the cover open. How do I tighten?



and this plug isn't connected to anything, which could be bad, or could not be required at all...unsure, unsure.

THE UGLY. (Or questionable, at the very least)



I was poking around with the spare tire, and found this little hole in the wheel well. I thought this might be why I hear a lot of road noise while driving, until I checked under the opposite panel and found...



Ouch. The frame itself is in dandy condition, but this much degradation is gonna require some welding, I'm afraid.



Here is the sunroof switch, which I suspect is ford or something. Thought it might help identify along with



Yeah, I can't read from that either so it says-
SILVER-08
SAFETY[lof]FLOAT
AS3 XN
SOLID TEMPERED
DOT 15 M1030

Yeah, know that is more the glass than the sunroof installer, but a shot is a shot.





All factory stereo wires are gone, and I'm left with this 8 pin connector & antenna wire. I know I can get a wiring harness for anything, but in the interest of simplicity, any of you audiophiles know what type of stereo would connect to this?



WHAT IS THIS? I've never seen the like. It switches two ways. One way lets outside air hit my feet, and the other doesn't. Never seen it before.





And I have less of a clue about this than anything. Terrifically foreign, found it in the rear compartment. Doesn't tell me much about the car, except perhaps something of the previous owner, haha.

Ah, and that's it. I know it's a lot to look at, but you boys have been of great service so far...my main concerns are radio, wipers, and sunroof at this point, but anything else that brings up alarm in these photos, tell me quick! haha.

Ah, and, someone suggested earlier that I could take off the little Turbo tag on my grill. Are you crazy? How am I sposed to convince chicks that my family wagon is actually a deathtrap speed machine!
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Re: (WildcatRag)

Quote, originally posted by WildcatRag »
...the wipers work for a while, but they start slowing down until they stop, sort of like a windup...causes?

gdill2 - Could be failing wiper motor and/or poor ground connection and/or...

http://www.fcpgroton.com/produ...d/220

http://www.fcpgroton.com/produ...d/220

http://www.fcpgroton.com/produ...d/220

I'm experiencing some sort of leak from my power steering. Ideas?

gdill2 - Looks like the return line is leaking.

This spring fell out from under the passenger side dash. I really have no idea what it is, again, ideas?

gdill2 - Looks like a seat cushion spring as it appears to be too large for any application under the dash.

This molding around the sunroof is loose, and rattles if I leave the the cover open. How do I tighten?

gdill2 - Clear flexible adhesive.

...and this plug isn't connected to anything, which could be bad, or could not be required at all...unsure, unsure.

gdill2 - Looks like the lead for a tachometer.

gdill2 - Rust - expect to find even more in other places.

gdill2 - Stereo - buy a cheapo aftermarket unit with floating controls for under the seats and use the original radio hole for an aftermarket GPS.

WHAT IS THIS? I've never seen the like. It switches two ways. One way lets outside air hit my feet, and the other doesn't. Never seen it before.

gdill2 - Fresh air vent.
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Re: (gdill2)

gdill2 - Could be failing wiper motor and/or poor ground connection and/or...

Where is the wiper relay located? I'll probably dig around here this afternoon, and figured I could swap out with my old car. Same is true for the wiper motor, but I know where it is located.

gdill2 - Clear flexible adhesive.

I was thinking along those lines, but would this prevent my sunroof from operating should I get it working again? The sunroof slides back to open completely, and also pops up in the forward position. Just wouldn't want to permanently stick something that should be unstuck, ha.

gdill2 - Looks like the lead for a tachometer.

So, not a requried component, shouldn't worry about it?

gdill2 - Stereo - buy a cheapo aftermarket unit with floating controls for under the seats and use the original radio hole for an aftermarket GPS.

I'm unsure what you mean here, but it's purely from ignorance on my part. I've only ever had factory stereos, so are you meaning a stereo that mounts under my seats? And floating controls? Could you link me an example please? It sounds interesting, so let me know.

Ah, and I completely forgot to re-ask about the wiring for the hatch (for the plate light, and rear wiper and things) and the compatability between my 90 240 and this 85 240. As stated earlier, I read this was a crossover year, and the chance exists that I can use the rear wiring harness from my 90. I just need to be able to find where the wires clip together, to see if they're flat or bullet shaped. At least, I think that is all I need.

Alright dill, thanks again, you're helping out quite a bit.

And Neptune was the one who earlier stated that I could take off my turbo tag, ALSO the one who thought he might be able to identify the sunroof installer...so, nep, if you're reading this, look under the pic I posted of the glass, I posted the glass markings there.

OK guys, again, thanks a bunch, and shalom,

-Gj
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Re: (WildcatRag)

Quote, originally posted by WildcatRag »
gdill2 - Looks like the lead for a tachometer.

So, not a requried component, shouldn't worry about it?
-Gj

The Haynes book calls this a test connector for the oxygen sensor feedback system. I think the Bentley manual gives a bit more detail but I don't have mine handy right now.
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