1987 Volvo 240 DL

So I am new to these cars, and I love how it drives because it drove fine yesterday for the most part except for a noise which I explain below later. Yesterday was the first day I really was taking it out to drive it for along time. The car drove FINE.

The gal whom owned this car before me though didn't really take care of anything except the mechanics because she was a poor college student.

So with these things that don't work I'm wonder if this is major wring problem or how I should go about fixing theses things or if anyone knows a central problem to all this. I'm taking to a mechanic Monday mind you.

The problems are as follows: The gal whom owned it said the air condition was fixed but it doesn't work even though it was worked on;

The cigarette lighter doesn't work so I can't plug things like my gps in; The back Windshield wiper doesn't work; the radio doesn't work; The gas gauge doesn't work; That's all I can think of right now oh wait, the gas cylinders that keep the wagon back end up are gone and need replacing.

Oh and lastly something that concerns me is when I shift into first and also second there is a slight loud snapping noise underneath the car in the back. Don't know what that is it almost just sounds like plastic moving or something. That's what the mechanic is there for but I thought I'd ask?

Really the only thing that works is the heat and the car seems to move lol. How should someone go about approaching this? I'd like to keep this car if possible. I could sell it for what I paid for but I don't want to if I don't have to. I appreciate anyone's input already.

Peace and thanks for reading!!

 

Sounds like the same situation on how I got my 240. I got it from a poor collage girl who didn't really maintain anything on the car. When I got mine nothing electrical worked except the front wipers and headlights. The OD didn't even work.

The reason your rear wiper doesn't work is because more than likely the wire harness for the hatch which runs thru the hinges is probably ripped apart. If you look at the hingles for the hatch on top of your car you should see if the harness is broken or not. The harness on one side controls the defroster and rear wiper while the other side controls the third brake light and hatch lock and unlock motor. The harnesses are pretty cheap and easy to replace by yourself as long as you have a friend to help you take the hatch off and back on.

As for the lighter outlet and radio I would check the fuses to make sure one isn't blown. Also one thing that helped fix alot of odd electrical issue was to pull every fuse out and use some 800 grit sand paper to clean each fuse terminal. Also if you have an aftermarket radio installed that was installed by the previous owner I would pull the radio and make sure they didn't leave any exposed wires. When I pulled mine I found alot of wires that had 12 volts exposed behind the dash.

The snapping noise you are hearing under your car could possibly be bad u-joints or a bad transmission mount.

 

Hey friend thanks for the reply I will check on those things that helps a lot. I guess I'm going to ask your opinion and the opinion of others on here about the economics of this car. I got this car cheap so I can re-sell it, but I think the engine/ drive train tranny in these cars is very reliable and tough in this car (obviously).

The only thing is when do repairs become not worth it? IF they exceed the market value of the car? Will getting major repairs on these cars increase their value? What I find interesting is that NADA book value says high retail on these in good condition is only like 2200, but I see them selling for 3k on up still?

What's the deal with this car and cars like this in terms of repair and value from and economic standpoint? I know there are reasons people keep cars for none economical reasons (because they love the car etc).

Peace Thanks