My 1991 940 turbo recently started to crank intermittently. I could jiggle the keys in the ignition as I turned and could get it to crank. After doing this a few times, it will no longer crank no matter what I try. Unfortunately I have to take it to the dealer to get repaired because there are no local volvo shops and I just do VERY minor repairs. When i told them the ignition was worn they said it would be an ignition lock repair, a special order pre pay part. Before I get my car towed to the dealer, which isn't exactly close, does this sound right to anyone? I have to order he part 7 days ahead of time and pay for it whether it fixes the problem or not.

 

the ignition lock is two pieces, the actual lock part, and the switch behind it. sounds like its the switch thats failed.

if this is a regular 940 turbo (*NOT* the 940SE which shares most parts with the 960, and has a completely different ignition lock and steering column), thats part number 9447805, which the TascaParts.com site says has a $110 MSRP (and $81 at Tascaparts). Yes, special order parts pretty much always have to be prepaid and there's generally no refund on special order parts (or on electrical parts).

while I haven't replaced that switch myself, I've been back behind the dash of 740/940s and its really not that hard to get to. First, remove the kickpanel above the pedals (2-3 1/4 turn plastic fasteners), and the knee brace under the dashboard (3-4 t30(I think) torx bolts) and the metal panel behind the brace (a couple more torx bolts), then you should be able to get behind the ignition lock. The switch is held onto the back of the lock with two screws. when you put the knee brace panel and pad back on, get all the screws started and just barely tightened first, THEN torque them all down hard.

now, here's where I'm not sure... there's about a dozen wires to the ignition switch, and they all have to be moved from the old switch to the new one, and of course, you have to get the right wire into the right place. I'm not sure how these wires attach as I've not replaced a Volvo ignition switch (I've done a few other vehicles in the past, most were pretty easy, generally was either a plug on the vehicle harness that goes onto the back of the switch, or the switch had a pigtail of wires with a plug on the other end).

if you can manage to do this yourself, you'd save probably $100 or more in labor, plus you could save $30 on the part by getting it via Tascaparts, plus the satisfaction of a job well done.

 

That's very tempting. The dealer's quote was $480+tax and I have to pay for a tow across the city. The elextrical part of this job makes me nervous though. I think I'll order the part regardless and take it to the dealer if I have to.

Thanks!

 

Dealers love that!

 

oh. I forgot the MOST IMPORTANT STEP, to do before you do _anything_ else. disconnect the ground (-) lead at the battery!

electrically speaking, if the wiring harness has a plug that goes onto the switch, then this job is nearly trivial and pretty much foolproof. darnit, I was behind my 92 745T dash last week installing a foglamp switch, I meant to look at the back of the ignition switch because one of these days, I want to pull out the key/lock/cylinder part to take to my locksmith so he can rekey it to match my other locks (previous owner replaced the ignition lock without rekeying it so its a different key than the rest of the car, wtf?!?). My locksmith said if I bring him just the lock and the two sets of keys, he can do it quite cheaply, if I bring him the car, add $$$.