240 DL "88" Batt does not charge

ElliSB · Post by **ElliSB** » 29 Mar 2009, 14:40

At least 160,000 miles, OD is dead, none of the gages are reliable, front lights are not working except on bright, shifts to high around 60 MPH, motor runs Ok, problem is I just acquired this car, battery was wrong group, drove it home some 30 miles stopped would not restart, dead, zero, jumped it off, so dead again / put new batt. (Bosch) in, cranks up first hit, ran for 1.5 days no problem, then cranked up stopped and did not start again. Jumped it / batt. does not charge, checked it on the analog VOM, reading like 11.9 to 12.1 volts with the motor running / checked ground to motor form alt. / ground to wheel weld / had alt. checked at auto zone / passed / jumps jonny on spot / but will not charge the batt. / Had everyone tell me it was the new batt. had it checked / it passed / I need to have this car running / my thrid Volvo, looking at the fourth. I need to do the work myself if possible ..........what next?

Post by **billofdurham** » 29 Mar 2009, 15:38

Welcome to Matthew's Volvo Site.

Looks like a neglected Volvo.

Check and clean the battery leads paying particular attention to the negative where it is fastened to the frame. Unbolt it and really clean it up. Also check the earth (ground) strap from the engine/gearbox to the frame.

Bill.

ElliSB · Post by **ElliSB** » 29 Mar 2009, 17:28

I have found out that the battery light in the car dash can affect the charging on the batt. ?

ellisb

ElliSB · Post by **ElliSB** » 30 Mar 2009, 05:48

OK, I checked the continunity on the wheel weld ground to the batt. OK, Alt. was passed, rechecked the ground on the alt. / to have the batt checked he put some degree of charge on it. / I then left the batt. alone. This morning I attempted to start the car, it fired right up ../ clean the windows it was 36 here, going to 71 today, / got in to drive turned on the lights and the car dropped it idle like a stone. Quickly turned off the lamps and tried to keep the motor running it died ......so is it the case that the head lamps and tail lamps are somehow a part of this problem? If one of them was out how would that affect the issue? Any other ideas. .? This reminds me of a set of Christmas Tree lights .one goes they all are out. ?

niall · Post by **niall** » 30 Mar 2009, 09:06

Try checking the connections to the rear light circuit boards.
My 240DL is having similar problems and the right rear tail light has a bad connection which is causing other electrical problems.

ElliSB · Post by **ElliSB** » 30 Mar 2009, 19:12

Roger that .../ I had been using the brights / just got this beast / so I pulled the front lamps to check them out / found that the lamps were OK, I do believe that the lamps affect the electrical circuits . / Where is the boards you speak of and do you know where the ones are for the front lamps.....?

also does anyone know where to obtain a service manual for the older Volvos?

Let me say that this is one great site.......How do I send money to the site to keep it going? I am no longer flush but I will do what I can .........I am an audio guy any way I can help anyone on audio just let me know ........./ I owe all of you guys.........

thanks a ton.........

ElliSB

niall · Post by **niall** » 31 Mar 2009, 09:00

Inside the trunk you will find the black plastic covers for the tail lites. Screw these off and you'll see the circuits and the connectors.
This is where I have the problem on my 240DL.

Niall

Post by **billofdurham** » 31 Mar 2009, 11:51

How do I send money to the site to keep it going?

At the top of site where the "Home", "Forums" etc buttons are there is a donate link. Another way to donate is to use the amazon link and Matthew receives something every time we purchase from Amazon. For this to work you must go to the Amazon site using the link at the top of the forum.

Haynes do a manual for the 240 - available at Amazon and other sellers.

Bill.

ElliSB · Post by **ElliSB** » 01 Apr 2009, 05:59

Thanks for the help. Amazon deal way cool........thanks Bill...........the rear info is good to know not sure the rear is my problem / mine appear to be the front head lamps....does anyone know where the centeral control for this set is? The lamps are good, the stard setting no head lights on.........so I am of the belief that it is a draw connected to the head lamps......

Thanks all........

ElliSB

Post by **billofdurham** » 01 Apr 2009, 12:32

does anyone know where the centeral control for this set is?

Are you asking for the location of the relays for the headlights?

The attached shows where all the relays on your car are located. You have 2 relays for the headlights.

240 relays.pdf: (1.18 MiB) Downloaded 366 times

Bill.