I have a 1989 740 GL, 2.34 liter, automatic.

I have been having some problems.

My 740 has not been starting well, rough idling, and died once while shifting from forward to neutral.

I figured that my battery had died, and i charged it a few times, decided that battery was the problem (it was old, maybe 4-5 yrs) so i decided to get a new one.
New battery did not fix the non-starting problem.

I decided, maybe it's alternator? Took it to NAPA, while installed in car, where they told me my alternator was bad, and wasn't outputting anything. Noticed belt was loose, and tensioner bolt was missing. Took alternator out, and took to Kragen, where they told me alternator was fine.

Now i'm at a loss of what to do. I'm going to get a new tensioner bot tomorrow, for $21, and install it. This might solve things.
Next step after that will be to test the new battery.

Any other suggestions?


Thanks,
Kyle


Ps, i'm fairly new at car stuff, not much experience.

 

Yes, the alternator belt has to be somewhat tight. Also, you may want to do the usual tune-up stuff: new spark plugs, new spark plug wires, new rotor and distributor cap, new air filter. I hesitate to mention new fuel filter, as that is a pain in the *** to replace. If your car ever stays dead, go to www.stepbystepvolvo.com for free guide to740 no-starts (B230, LH2.2).

 

My volvo had a problem starting also, but it was subtle. It turned out that my fuel pressure regulator was not working well, and there was also a fuel leak. Maybe you should check that out.

 

"rough idling"-I doubt that your problem is battery/alt related. Don't throw $21 for a bolt, you can tighten the alt. fine without it.