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Diagnosing a no start scenario

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AaronW
Posts: 3
Joined: 21 Jul 2026, 19:24
Year and Model: 1983 245 Wagon
Location: MT

Post by AaronW »

Hi:

My wife has a 1983 245 wagon. It's on its last legs, but it's a great car for her to haul her concert pedal harp around in, so if I can limp it along a bit more, for not too muh money, I will. If not, I'll be looking to see if anybody wants it for parts, before I scrap it. The engine is in pretty decent shape, I think. Din't use oil last I knew, though it leaked some.

Here's the scenario:

The wiring in it is pretty much shot, I think. I recently took some electrical tape off a bundle of wires up on the firewall, and all the insulation just powdered out. So I've got like 5 bare wires sitting there, touching each other. I haven't yet figured out what they do. See pictures.

When I cranked the engine over, the relay for the fuel injection started clicking constantly. I messed around with those bare wires, and it quit, but I suppose that could just be a coincidence. I checked the main 25 amp fuse up by the battery, and tested the aforementioned relay, which seems to be ok. I also replaced it with a different relay, and that one clicked, too, so I think we can X a bad relay off the list.

Not sure where to go from here. Thoughts/suggestions?

Aaron
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volvolugnut  
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Post by volvolugnut »

I also have a 1983 245. Years ago it had the same wiring issue and I got a used engine wire harness. This fixed the intermitant stalling and no starts.
Without a new harness, try to spice in new wires or wrap all bare wires with tape, At least separate each wire from others. The bad news is the wire insulation can be gone inside the harness sleeves.
This problem can be fixed with lots of time but little cost.. Get a Haynes paper manual for the electrical schematics.
Good luck.
vovlolugnut
The Fleet:
Volvo: 2001 V70 T5, 1986 244DL, 1983 245DL, 1975 245DL, 1959 PV544, multiple Volvo parts cars.
Mercedes: 2001 E320, 1973 280, 1974 280C, 1989 300E, 1988 300TE, 1979 300TD, parts cars.
2009 Smart Passion
Ford: 1977 F350, 1964 F150 (2), 1938 Tudor Sedan
Farmall tractors: 1956 400 Diesel, 1946 A
John Deere 214 lawn tractor about 1977 model
And others.

AaronW
Posts: 3
Joined: 21 Jul 2026, 19:24
Year and Model: 1983 245 Wagon
Location: MT

Post by AaronW »

So if I've got to completely rewire it to fix it, I'm going to scrap it. I don't have the time or the patience for wiring at that level. Does anybody see a way forward that doesn't involve completely rewiring? If not, and you want the car for parts, it's yours, get a hold of me.

Aaron

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RickHaleParker
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Post by RickHaleParker »

AaronW wrote: 22 Jul 2026, 16:30 So if I've got to completely rewire it to fix it, I'm going to scrap it. I don't have the time or the patience for wiring at that level. Does anybody see a way forward that doesn't involve completely rewiring? If not, and you want the car for parts, it's yours, get a hold of me.
Changing a wiring harness is not that hard. For the most part, it is just disconnecting connectors and installing the replacement in reverse order. In other words, a part change. You would not change all the wiring harnesses. Just the engine wiring harness or the engine bay harness.

The hard part is finding a good used harness for a economical price.
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AaronW
Posts: 3
Joined: 21 Jul 2026, 19:24
Year and Model: 1983 245 Wagon
Location: MT

Post by AaronW »

RickHaleParker wrote: 23 Jul 2026, 06:23
AaronW wrote: 22 Jul 2026, 16:30 So if I've got to completely rewire it to fix it, I'm going to scrap it. I don't have the time or the patience for wiring at that level. Does anybody see a way forward that doesn't involve completely rewiring? If not, and you want the car for parts, it's yours, get a hold of me.
Changing a wiring harness is not that hard. For the most part, it is just disconnecting connectors and installing the replacement in reverse order. In other words, a part change. You would not change all the wiring harnesses. Just the engine wiring harness or the engine bay harness.

The hard part is finding a good used harness for a economical price.
You weren't kidding, Rick, about economical prices...eye watering. I think I may see if I can manage to get down to good wire, bypass the bad ones temporarily, and see if it starts. If not, I'm going to call it a day. If anyone here is interested in this car, for parts, give me a shout. I'll be happy to pass it along to somebody who'd want the engine or anything else. The interior is pretty rough, though.

Aaron

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volvolugnut  
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Post by volvolugnut »

Dave's Volvo may have engine wire harness. Even if he does not have harness at good price, he has helpful info for harness repair.
See Here:
https://www.prancingmoose.com/volvoharn ... _240_Turbo
His site is huge and interesting. Cheek it out even just for fun.
I got a used harness from him maybe 20 years ago.
volvolugnut
The Fleet:
Volvo: 2001 V70 T5, 1986 244DL, 1983 245DL, 1975 245DL, 1959 PV544, multiple Volvo parts cars.
Mercedes: 2001 E320, 1973 280, 1974 280C, 1989 300E, 1988 300TE, 1979 300TD, parts cars.
2009 Smart Passion
Ford: 1977 F350, 1964 F150 (2), 1938 Tudor Sedan
Farmall tractors: 1956 400 Diesel, 1946 A
John Deere 214 lawn tractor about 1977 model
And others.

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