'89 240 Common Problems
#1
11-06-2013, 11:59 AM
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
'89 240 Common Problems
Looking at a 1989 240 tomorrow and was hoping to check over any common issues that these cars/years are known for.
I've read across several threads that the 80's era 240s were infamous for horrible wiring harnesses, but the exact years seem to differ from source to source. Does 89 fall under that issue or did they fix it towards the later part of the decade?
guidance is appreciated.
I've read across several threads that the 80's era 240s were infamous for horrible wiring harnesses, but the exact years seem to differ from source to source. Does 89 fall under that issue or did they fix it towards the later part of the decade?
guidance is appreciated.
#2
11-06-2013, 01:14 PM
No. The only ones that where prone to have a problem was the turbo model.
82-85. The extra heat was the cause.
But any 240 could have a problem with wiring. It depends on the area, and if the car was taken care of. If a car sat for a number of years. Also any oil leaks or petroleum base products could damage it if never cleaned and fixed.
The 75 I'm working on has an ok harness right now.
82-85. The extra heat was the cause.
But any 240 could have a problem with wiring. It depends on the area, and if the car was taken care of. If a car sat for a number of years. Also any oil leaks or petroleum base products could damage it if never cleaned and fixed.
The 75 I'm working on has an ok harness right now.
#3
11-06-2013, 01:24 PM
the 83-87 Volvos had insulation that was particularlly prone to flaking with age. some say 81-87. 88+ were definitely improved. yes, the turbos made it worse due to the excess heat.
otherwise, pretty much check the car over for all the usual things you'd check on any older car. make sure the wheels are straight, the brakes are good, the tires are evenly worn, make sure the transmission shifts well in all gears, the electric overdrive disable (on an automatic) works properly. the car should start right up even if cold. make sure there's no oily rainbows in the coolant in the coolant overflow tank. look for signs of fluid leakage under the hood. make sure the exhaust system is good, without rust. make sure the steering is tight, no weirdness on stop to stop parking lot turns (worn steering rack or tie rods can make the car feel like its pulling into hte turn at near full stop parking lot maneuvers). make sure all the instruments work, all the idiot lights come on when the key is turned on, and go out when the engine is running. make sure the ventilation fan works at all speeds and isn't excessively noisy (240's aren't exactly quiet at the faster vent speeds). no coolant smell in the passenger compartment with the heater on high. A/C on an older 240 is hit or miss, see if its been professionally converted to R134a (if done properly, there will be a sticker near the AC drier saying its R134a instead of the original sticker for R12). Hopefully all the exterior lights have clear lenses, oxidized/yellow lenses should, IMHO, be replaced, and this can cost a few $100 (use as a negotiating point). make sure the drivers seat moves in its rails easily, the lumbar support **** actually works. if its got a sunroof, make sure it opens smoothly, and there's no signs of water leakage around it. make sure all the windows go up and down smoothly, without binding, if the drivers window is sluggish going up, you'll likely need a new window regulator/motor assembly, a couple $100 worth negotiating over, plus labor if you can't do that sort of thing yourself.
otherwise, pretty much check the car over for all the usual things you'd check on any older car. make sure the wheels are straight, the brakes are good, the tires are evenly worn, make sure the transmission shifts well in all gears, the electric overdrive disable (on an automatic) works properly. the car should start right up even if cold. make sure there's no oily rainbows in the coolant in the coolant overflow tank. look for signs of fluid leakage under the hood. make sure the exhaust system is good, without rust. make sure the steering is tight, no weirdness on stop to stop parking lot turns (worn steering rack or tie rods can make the car feel like its pulling into hte turn at near full stop parking lot maneuvers). make sure all the instruments work, all the idiot lights come on when the key is turned on, and go out when the engine is running. make sure the ventilation fan works at all speeds and isn't excessively noisy (240's aren't exactly quiet at the faster vent speeds). no coolant smell in the passenger compartment with the heater on high. A/C on an older 240 is hit or miss, see if its been professionally converted to R134a (if done properly, there will be a sticker near the AC drier saying its R134a instead of the original sticker for R12). Hopefully all the exterior lights have clear lenses, oxidized/yellow lenses should, IMHO, be replaced, and this can cost a few $100 (use as a negotiating point). make sure the drivers seat moves in its rails easily, the lumbar support **** actually works. if its got a sunroof, make sure it opens smoothly, and there's no signs of water leakage around it. make sure all the windows go up and down smoothly, without binding, if the drivers window is sluggish going up, you'll likely need a new window regulator/motor assembly, a couple $100 worth negotiating over, plus labor if you can't do that sort of thing yourself.
#4
11-06-2013, 07:25 PM
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
the 83-87 Volvos had insulation that was particularlly prone to flaking with age. some say 81-87. 88+ were definitely improved. yes, the turbos made it worse due to the excess heat.
otherwise, pretty much check the car over for all the usual things you'd check on any older car. make sure the wheels are straight, the brakes are good, the tires are evenly worn, make sure the transmission shifts well in all gears, the electric overdrive disable (on an automatic) works properly. the car should start right up even if cold. make sure there's no oily rainbows in the coolant in the coolant overflow tank. look for signs of fluid leakage under the hood. make sure the exhaust system is good, without rust. make sure the steering is tight, no weirdness on stop to stop parking lot turns (worn steering rack or tie rods can make the car feel like its pulling into hte turn at near full stop parking lot maneuvers). make sure all the instruments work, all the idiot lights come on when the key is turned on, and go out when the engine is running. make sure the ventilation fan works at all speeds and isn't excessively noisy (240's aren't exactly quiet at the faster vent speeds). no coolant smell in the passenger compartment with the heater on high. A/C on an older 240 is hit or miss, see if its been professionally converted to R134a (if done properly, there will be a sticker near the AC drier saying its R134a instead of the original sticker for R12). Hopefully all the exterior lights have clear lenses, oxidized/yellow lenses should, IMHO, be replaced, and this can cost a few $100 (use as a negotiating point). make sure the drivers seat moves in its rails easily, the lumbar support **** actually works. if its got a sunroof, make sure it opens smoothly, and there's no signs of water leakage around it. make sure all the windows go up and down smoothly, without binding, if the drivers window is sluggish going up, you'll likely need a new window regulator/motor assembly, a couple $100 worth negotiating over, plus labor if you can't do that sort of thing yourself.
otherwise, pretty much check the car over for all the usual things you'd check on any older car. make sure the wheels are straight, the brakes are good, the tires are evenly worn, make sure the transmission shifts well in all gears, the electric overdrive disable (on an automatic) works properly. the car should start right up even if cold. make sure there's no oily rainbows in the coolant in the coolant overflow tank. look for signs of fluid leakage under the hood. make sure the exhaust system is good, without rust. make sure the steering is tight, no weirdness on stop to stop parking lot turns (worn steering rack or tie rods can make the car feel like its pulling into hte turn at near full stop parking lot maneuvers). make sure all the instruments work, all the idiot lights come on when the key is turned on, and go out when the engine is running. make sure the ventilation fan works at all speeds and isn't excessively noisy (240's aren't exactly quiet at the faster vent speeds). no coolant smell in the passenger compartment with the heater on high. A/C on an older 240 is hit or miss, see if its been professionally converted to R134a (if done properly, there will be a sticker near the AC drier saying its R134a instead of the original sticker for R12). Hopefully all the exterior lights have clear lenses, oxidized/yellow lenses should, IMHO, be replaced, and this can cost a few $100 (use as a negotiating point). make sure the drivers seat moves in its rails easily, the lumbar support **** actually works. if its got a sunroof, make sure it opens smoothly, and there's no signs of water leakage around it. make sure all the windows go up and down smoothly, without binding, if the drivers window is sluggish going up, you'll likely need a new window regulator/motor assembly, a couple $100 worth negotiating over, plus labor if you can't do that sort of thing yourself.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
journeyforce
Volvo 240, 740 & 940
3
12-11-2012 08:19 PM
