Hello Everyone. I'm new here and this is my first post. I'm looking to soon purchase a 240 wagon with manual transmission. I am aware of the defective wiring insulation issue that was remedied in mid '87 and I'm wondering if all 240s in that bad wiring era should be avoided completely?
Does all the wiring in the entire vehicle suffer degradation or is it limited to the engine harness or other specific areas? I'm wondering if replacing any potentially defective harness is a viable option for a moderately skilled DIYer? To truly remedy the issue would it require rewiring the entire vehicle?
I appreciate any thoughts from someone with knowledge in this area. Thank in advance!!

 

The engine wiring harness is a problem with insulation falling off. And is easily replaced (but can be expensive)- it might be easiest if the intake manifold is removed. The old harness comes out easiest if simply cut up when removing.

The other harnesses seem to last.

This guy - might give you info for a replacement harness https://www.prancingmoose.com/volvoharnesses.html

Is the Trans a m46 or (4speed with laycock overdrive) or the pure m47 5 speed?

 

I appreciate the reply. I haven't picked out a specific vehicle yet. I've got a Mercedes 300TD but I've recently become interested in Volvo 240s and want to acquire one within the next year or so. Right now I'm in the education process so I can make a decent choice. My reason for inquiring about the wiring is to determine if I should even consider anything older than '88. Manual transmissions seem somewhat uncommon so increasing the field of potential vehicles to pre '88 gives me a better chance at finding one closer to home. Might even find a deal on one that has 'intermittent electrical problems'

I do favor the M47 transmission. I've heard people say the later fuel injection systems starting in '89 or '90 are more desirable but again that limits the field. Any thoughts on the early fuel injection systems. Are they problematic or are parts difficult to find? Thanks for your time.

 

The CIS fuel injection systems from 1974-1982 (1985 for turbos) is probably unfixable now. There's no one (other than really old guys) that knows that system enough to solve the problems. 1989? starts the more modern FI system with an engine speed sensor. All 240's of that age will be hard to get many parts for. Depending if you want to drive a beater - or a nice car.

 

Difficulty in finding parts seems concerning to me. I thought the salvage market was pretty good but that could be old info I'm thinking of.

Is there a possibility of not being able to acquire specific critical parts that are essential to keeping it running? If I get a 240 I want to keep it for many years like I plan on keeping my MBZ W123. I really just want a good runner and don't need it to be pretty. Somewhere in between 'beater' and 'nice' as it will get driven hard in snow and off pavement.

 

I think steering racks are impossible to find -

 

I appreciate this valuable information very much. Can the steering racks be rebuilt/refurbished or custom machined/fabricated? Or will there soon come a time when old volvo owners are SOL? Would you be wary about buying a 240 for long term use? I understand the steering racks do often go bad. They don't last like a traditional steering box does.

So far I've been able to source anything I've needed for my '84 Mercedes 300TD and I was hoping the older volvo parts would also be fairly easy to find. With my Benz it seems there are enough businesses salvaging and refurbishing parts that I feel pretty confident about the long haul. Aftermarket stuff is available also but I regret it every time I install a Chinese made part in my German wagon.

Rear hydraulic struts for 300TD are no longer available but there's people rebuilding them or one can install coil springs and shocks and never need the struts again.
Thanks again for your time. I hope I can reciprocate your kindness but in the very least I will pass it on!!

 

One of the problems I had was sourcing good rear calipers. The ones I would put on would seize in two years of use. My car was not kept in a garage and I live in the Chicago area where the salt the roads heavily. Quality replacement Air Mass Meters are also getting difficult to find. From reading on the forums, even the ones sold by Volvo can be suspect - though I am not speaking from experience. I always kept a couple of extra AMMs that I pulled from the junkyard back when you would see 240/740/940s in the junkyard. They are extremely rare beasts these days.

For these reasons I decided to no longer keep a 240 for a daily driver.