My "newsed" 88 240 GL

[FLOWERPOWER]

I bought a 1988 240 GL in fantastic shape for a fantastic price. Some problems have emerged: the manual sunroof, which was a major selling point, is now "missing" when the winding crank is turned. Does this have teeth that may need to be replaced? On first starting, and putting the car into gear, sometimes it dies. The radio works for a little while, and then suddenly will begin "howling" so I have to turn it off. The windshield wiper motor was replaced, and they worked great until something in the dash came loose and began to jump around frantically. I pulled the glove box, but I cannot tell what should be hooked to what. Any ideas on what I should be doing to repair my Volvo?

[ChiNorm]

Find a good mechanic?

[jeremypowell]

start with replacing any worn or cracked vacuum lines. heck if you're handy get em all. that will almost always correct an erratic idle or dying problem. i also did cap, rotor, wires and plugs on mine...easy and cheap stuff. sunroof i dunno, my 1990 240dl's was electric. obviously there is a series of gears and probably cables, but i'm not sure which is most likely to fail. rebuilding an old sunroof is a p.i.t.a. i've done a few on aircooled bugs. but always once the headliner is removed. so i'd probably be happy with it just being stuck in the closed(sealed!!) position until you've got time or someone with experience on your hands.

[vegasjetskier]

The windshield wiper motor was replaced, and they worked great until something in the dash came loose and began to jump around frantically. I pulled the glove box, but I cannot tell what should be hooked to what.

Here's a diagram of what should be hooked to what:

[vegasjetskier]

the manual sunroof, which was a major selling point, is now "missing" when the winding crank is turned. Does this have teeth that may need to be replaced?

There is a gear housing and a cable, either of which might be stripped, causing your problem.