College student-loves 240-needs advice.

curleeshan · Post by **curleeshan** » 12 Oct 2007, 08:41

I have had my Volvo for 4 years now and will finish school in May, but have been having some typical 240 problems. I have taken it to Volvo-only specialists on 5 occasions who have all told me I have wiring problems. The last one told me that after the diagnostic he thinks I have a catalytic converter air filter issues.

The only problems I ever experience are when I first turn it on in the morning it acts like it's about to die, usually it doesn't, but sometimes it does. It also is slow to accelerate for the first few minutes. A couple of times it acted like it would die in stop and go traffic as well.

I don't know what to do. The car has low mileage and overall is in great shape. The last mechanic told me I should get a different car since it will be very difficult to find what exactly is causing the problem. I love my car and don't have the money for a new one. Any suggestions from you fellow Volvo folks with more expertise? Should I just replace the wiring basket /catalytic converter/air filter and hope that fixes everything? Sell it? Any of you ever had this problem?

wojeepster · Post by **wojeepster** » 12 Oct 2007, 15:43

by all means learn to fix this on your own with help.

to learn to fix electrical problems read tracy martins "How to diagnose and repair automobile electrical systems" It is currently $12.45 on amzon and it is one of the best. It taught me how in one book I had already read 12 that didn't

If you need a harness try
http://www.bartonharness.com/index.html

I have no affilation to either one....

Kmaniac in California USA · Post by **Kmaniac in California USA** » 14 Oct 2007, 07:22

What year is your 240? Does it have a carburetor or fuel injection?

I had a very similar issue with my 1986 740 (BF230 - no turbo). The throttle position switch on the throttle body makes a destictive "click" when it closes into the idle position. If the link rod between the throttle cable bellcrank and the throttle body is too short, the throttle position switch will not "click" and the engine will not idle very well, especially cold. Verify the proper length of this link rod by unsnapping one end, verifying the throttle position switch clicks properly, then comparing the length of the link rod to the position of the unsnapped component (throttle body or bellcrank). If they don't line up perfectly, twist the snap end of the link rod (it's threaded) until the two pieces line up. Then snap it back together.

In my case, I replaced the bellcrank with one off another 740 when I installed cruise control. Then I started having the cold idle issue like you describe. After reading my service manual (Haynes), I decided to check the length of the link rod. I found it too short and adjusted it accordingly. The cold idle and stalling problem went away.

Now, if the throttle position switch does not "click", this may be the culprit and you may have to replace it.

Sounds to me like the mechanics you have consulted, so far, don't have a clue how to properly diagnose this issue. Most mechanics these days are fully trained to just replace parts based on a "Scientific Wild-Ass Guess" (SWAG) than by proper diagnostic procedures. This is what I call the "Shotgun Theory" of automobile repair. Replace every little thing you can think of under the hood and hope you are lucky enough to replace the one bad part in the process. And if this doesn't work the first time, replace some more parts. Besides, they make more money selling you parts and charging the labor to replace them than they do just making a small adjustment that will cure the problem.

Anyway, answer the questions, look into this and let us know what you find.

flynscot · Post by **flynscot** » 21 Oct 2007, 17:24

Is the car difficult to start, or does it fire right up and then run poorly until warm? How long do you have to crank it before it starts?