I just bought a non-running '91 740 and can't seem to find a decent manual (I did search here). I need something along the lines of a factory manual to run diagnostics. The Chilton one that covers 47 models is useless. Any favorites? CD maybe? Thanks!

 

this is a good place to start
Volvo Maintenance Hints for 7xx/9xx

I agree, chilton books suck. Hayes aren't much better. Dunno why but Bentley only ever did a 240 book, its OK but not great either, since it covers 20 years of cars with different EFI and stuff.

VCOA sells a DVD of all 7xx models all factory service literature, but they may be out of stock at the moment. I have the DVD for 2xx and 9xx cars, the greenbook factory stuff is by far the best. the scans are all heavily copyprotected, sigh, they use a secure 'locklizard' PDF viewer, and are screencopy and such protected, be aware. but for $69 its totally worth having access to the RIGHT factory wiring diagrams, and repair procedures for each year of a given model series.

 

Thanks a ton Pierce. I did find that link and I'm sure it will help. I have a Bentley for my old BMW and it's indispensable. I'm happy to spend the money on the factory CD if it's that good.

I went to my local Volvo dealer a few days ago asking for a manual and oddly got a phalanx of slackjaws. I'll check the VCOA (Viet Cong Opposing Apathy). Thanks again.

 

dealers now days don't like to work on cars over 10 years old. pretty useless.

VCOA is the Volvo Club of America, look under multimedia. they sold out quickly of the 7xx and 9xx DVDs the first time around but they should be getting more.

you can also buy hard copy individual 'green books' from Volvo itself, for instance, TP-31960/1 is the Wiring Diagrams for 740,940 1992, these are like $50 each, so the full set for a given year gets really expensive. they are A4 sized books of around 100-200 pages each, meant to go in the service binders at a dealer. while the wiring diagrams are generally single year specific, most of the other books cover multiple years and even multple model cars, like the 740 air conditioning, or the LH2.4 fuel injection theory and operation book, etc etc.

 

I just acquired a 1992 740 base and the Haynes manual for the 940 [ 90 to 98] has been very helpful. British manual ISBN 978 1 84425 739-3

 

When we bought our 89 740 I purchased a complete set of factory manuals. Cost a few hundred then and they have been useful for the 325K miles we have on the car. If you can order or find them I would stick with them. I'll sell mine when we get rid of the car maybe in another 10-20 years.

 

sadly, volvo has fewer and fewer greenbooks left available. the $65 DVDs from VCOA that cover all greenbooks for a given model series are the best bet now.