I'm absolutely excited to finally get my '92 240 wagon. I am having a few electrical issues, and since I'm a Volvo newbie, please forgive me if this has been beat to death.

I have no license plate lights. I checked the bulbs, changed them, but still no go. I also do not have a light for the automatic transmission. I took the housing off, but can not see a bulb anywhere to change. My right rear top fog light is also not working. I have changed that bulb, but again, it is not functioning.

Other than that, there are just a few other things, but I have no idea why I didn't buy a Volvo earlier. Thanks in advance.

 

Everything electrical on a 240 wagon tailgate is at the mercy of the wiring that passes through the tailgate hinges. With the flexing of those wires with the opening and closing of the tailgate, they eventually break. I have never understood why Volvo did not fix that problem by using some other system of getting wires into the gate -- other car makers seemed to have no difficulty with that. Anyway, in my experience if anything using electricity on the tailgate doesn't work, the first place to look (assuming in the case of a light that the bulb and holder are OK) is the wiring where it passes through the hinges.

 

well that is a definite start. thanks. today i put a new connector on the end of one of the wires to the license plate lights, put in new bulbs, checked it with a voltage meter (with no reading at all). i'm gonna have to follow the wire trail in the tailgate to see where the break is. i also found the bulb in the shift indicator, so i guess i'll have to change that one too. the one that puzzles me is the right rear fog light: new bulb, fuse is working and clean, but no dice. that is for another day. thanks again-

 

found the bulb in the shift indicator, fixed the wires, replaced the bulb and that's working. hoping to get to the bottom of the license plate debacle this weekend. thanks!

 

The wire harness in the left tailgate hinge handles the license plate light, third brake light, and defroster. You can pop the tailgate panel, it has about a dozen fasteners around the periphery. Use a putty knife and carefully twist next to a fastener and pop it loose. Once you get the panel off you can see if you have 12v at the license plate light socket (turn the lights on first).

Post back.

 

One more thing to check....

The socket (plastic) retains the bulb, it then screws about a quarter-turn into the mount- at the mount, ensure the contacts are not corroded (they usually turn green as they're brass)...LIGHTLY brush them with brass wool...do the same to the contacts on the bulb sockets....hope this helps you out....

 

I found a local Volvo only mechanic near my house. I talked to a few people I know and they swear by this guy. I decided to take my car over to have it checked out. Here's what he had to say:

-Besdies it needing a tune up, (front engine seal leaking and getting on on the nearest belt), he recommended replacing the timing belt and all the belts for that matter. I kind of figured I would need to do this.

...and then there is the bad news.

-Front Lower Steering shaft coupler rusted
-Front Brake Backing plates rusted through
-Vacuum to dash control disconnected
-Front Engine Cross member rusted through
-Shift Lever grommets missing
-Bolts missing to Mass Meter

-Rear shocks rusted badly
-rear torque rods worn out
-air bag does not work
-both tailgate harnesses broken, which would explain the license plate lights not working.

I've decided to go ahead and get the tuneup and the belts changed, but I'll be up around $800 with the labor. Any thoughts on the other mess I've inherieted? I welcome any and all suggestions.

 

with the rite tool do the tune up and change the t/belt yourself.(save 600.00 if you have time)

 

no time really, but some of the other issues, i might have to make time for. i dig this car, and would like to make it a strong daily driver. i clearly have my work cut out for me.

 

funnybrick...It is great to be able to work on these cars ourselves...however I too know someone who is a Volvo specialist working on his own...he has worked on Volvos for close to 30 yrs...of all the cars..he loves the 240s' best of all...simplicity of design...ease of working on it...thus lower labor costs...parts ...may cost less...and he is abt as trustworthy as they come...That said I go to him for almost everything that is beyond normal maintainence..so my point in all of this is,while you are fortunate to know a Volvo specialist that is advertised by satisfied customers... as was mine...I would not hesitate to use him for the big fix items...If you spent $600-$800 with a private specialist then imagine how much a dealer would take you for.Whatever you can do on your own ofc will minimize your actual costs once you do go to the Volvo guy...good luck with it...BTW just today I bought my third Volvo...a '90 240 DL Sedan with 160k miles..beautiful body...perfectcond...interior is very clean with some plastic center console pcs broken...due to the brittle nature of the plastic used in these cars...I pick it up on Mon...going to see it and buy it tomrw...sorry to ramble on with yor thread...at any rate I will be taking the new addition to my Volvo Guy...for sure

 

I got all the belts (including timing) replaced, a full tune up (with a new tensioner), new front engine seals, plugs, cap, rotor, wires and few odds and ends. So far so good. I'm going to tackle the shifter grommets and the cooling system in the next few weeks. I love this car!

 

I would do all those repairs myself, they don't fall under "I can't fix it".

Crankshaft would be beyond me, but the list you gave are all DIY projects.
I'm a cook , not a mechanic....and if I can do it...

Timing belt costs $12.! tuneup is a laugher with these engines.