Just picked up a 240 for my 18 year-old daughter (her first car and she loves it--says its a "hippie car" ) and thought I'd better join the forums because I know how useful such a pool of "combined wisdom" can be when it comes to repair time. I enjoy "turning-the-wrenches" occasionally and am looking forward to tinkering with this car when the opportunity presents itself (and I'm sure it will !) . I've never owned a Volvo (had many friends with them though) and I must say I've always been impressed with the overall quality/design/safety reputation of these cars. Anyway, thought I'd share a few pics and ask a Q or 2.
Before buying it for her, I checked it over quite thoroughly and really only found minor issues which seem easily repairable. Its a 2-owner car, spent all of its life in the south (Cali and NC), zero rust, garage kept, apparently very well maintained and in really beautiful condition with 128K confirmed, original miles on the odo. The only issues I have are "idiot light" related and are these: "brake failure" and SRS lights on the dash. Did some searching and found a thread to address resetting of the SRS light (waiting on a response) but no clear fix for the "brake failure" light. All mechanicals/electrical appear to be working correctly, even the electric OD on the auto trans functions as it should.

Any input/comments/feedback appreciated and thanks to all in advance. I think I'll be "lurking" here a lot--might even try and find a good 240 for myself (would like a turbo 2-door, hehehe) in the future. Here are a couple of pics:

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t...osvolvo053.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t...osvolvo055.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t...osvolvo051.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t...osvolvo041.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t...osvolvo049.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t...osvolvo058.jpg



db

 

Thanks wagonmeister (dpsam) for the SRS reset document !!

 

The 240 uses a dual brake system. A floating pistion and a switch sense a pressure inbalance between the two circuits, usually from bleeding the brakes although it could be a leak somewhere.

The switch has to be removed to reset the pistion.

 

Bubba,

No leaks noted on checking. I will take a look into the switch reset possibility next.

Thanks,

db

 

Nice car...you couldn't have picked a better vehicle for your daughter. I only hope there's a few salvagable 240s left when my daughters learn to drive...about 9yrs from now.

 

Thanks SL8,

Safety is the primary reason I went with that car. I see quite a few of these 240's still on the road down here so I too am hoping that they continue to be available for awhile. I've got 2 more kids who will be ready for 1st cars in the next 2 years !

 

Bleed the brakes as best you can, basically do it so much that you replaces the brake fluid in the car. That will probably turn your light off.