Freakin Volvo

[jokeplayer]

Ok, I doubt any of you have any experience with volvo's... but I want to post this question to see if there is anything I'm missing. Stupid car hasn't run in two weeks.

I've got a 1986 Volvo 240 wagon that stalled out on me about two weeks ago while I was driving. I am getting no fuel (pumps aren't running) and no spark. The two wires going to the sides of the ignition coil shorted to the coil bracket and grounded out. I repaired these connections and checked all fuses. I also replaced the ignition coil just in case. I jumper'd the fuel pump relay and the pumps run and sound healthy. This seems to be an electrical problem, so I snagged a junkyard Ignition Control Unit (ICU) and swapped it in. Still nothing.

I keep reading about a 'hall effect sensor', it's the magnetic pickup in the distributor. Any idea how to test one? It's three wire, I believe it's a Bosch part. (Edit: sounds like if the outside contacts are showing open, then it's bad. I'll check it tomorrow after work.)

Is there anything else I'm missing that would make the car get no fuel and no spark?

This is driving me crazy. I normally don't have a huge problem diagnosing electronics.

[ramtime]

Try this site out, they have a section just for the 240.

http://www.volvoforums.com

Also, did you check the under hood fuses panel? I would think that if you grounded out the coil, you would have blown a fuse.

[jokeplayer]

I only have one underhood fuse, and two fusible links. They all appear to be fine. It was the coil supply and trigger that shorted, and I haven't found a single blown fuse from it. The wires appear to be damaged from the heat when it shorted.

I posted the same question up on Volvo-forums. I'm already a member there.

I need an old muscle car... when it doesn't fire, there are like three things to check. Stupid computer controlled cars.

[ramtime]

There is nothing nicer than working on a car that just has three componets. Ignition (spark plugs, coil, wires, distributor, and ignition box), fuel (fuel pump, carb) and air. It's really easy to diagnose. When I go to the tracks with my buddys car, they hardly ever break down, and if they do we have them fixed in 5 minutes or less. The only down side is when they break, it usually means it's time for a new motor. This season alone, we went through 3 different motors. I'm glad I'm not the one paying that bill.

Do you have power at the coil?
Do you have a wiring diagram??? I would like to see it if you do.

http://www.volvoforums.com/m_83401/tm.htm
just a thought

[Gabriul]

the terminals on your ECU are slyghtly corroded....

Thats the best answer I have found.

[jokeplayer]

There is nothing nicer than working on a car that just has three componets. Ignition (spark plugs, coil, wires, distributor, and ignition box), fuel (fuel pump, carb) and air. It's really easy to diagnose. When I go to the tracks with my buddys car, they hardly ever break down, and if they do we have them fixed in 5 minutes or less. The only down side is when they break, it usually means it's time for a new motor. This season alone, we went through 3 different motors. I'm glad I'm not the one paying that bill.

Do you have power at the coil?
Do you have a wiring diagram??? I would like to see it if you do.

http://www.volvoforums.com/m_83401/tm.htm
just a thought

Hum, interesting link. I've got a thread going on Volvo-Forums.com and they had some advice on which wires to check at the ECU. I think I'll have time after work tomorrow to check the readings with the multimeter.

Yes, I have power at the coil. I need to find my test light to see if I'm getting any pulse on the signal side. I don't have a wiring diagram, only the crappy haynes manual.

the terminals on your ECU are slyghtly corroded....

Thats the best answer I have found.

That sounds close to the problem actually. Looks like the volvo's are known for ICU harness problems, from reading more online.... The dealership sells sleeves to slide over the ICU terminals so that contact won't be a problem.




I'll keep you guys updated. This problem is kicking my butt.

[ramtime]

when the dealership sells stuff like that, it makes me wonder why they never did a recall...

[jokeplayer]

I've been wondering the same thing.......

[A-GUEST]

freakin volvos are infamous for crazy electrical... meh good luck Esteban

[Gabriul]

I say my reason because our 1984 Volve GL wagon did the same damn thing..and we got charged $500 for them to "pollish" the contacts on the ICU thing.

[jokeplayer]

Yeah, it sounds like it's the harness or the magnetic pickup. I'm leaning toward the mag pickup because it didn't give me any issues before, it just stalled out while running. I've been hearing people's complaints from throwing thousands into parts and labor when they've experienced the same problems. No idea why Volvo never did a recall.

And Jason, a dude on volvo-forums posted a wiring diagram....
http://www.stevearnett.com/volvo/ignition85to88.jpg

[A-GUEST]

ouch pouch.. in teh wallet steve do it.DO it. cheaper...

[jokeplayer]

Oh, i'm doing it cheaper. I only paid $650 for the car. It'd be cheaper to buy another one if it got to that point lol.

So far I've spent less than a hundred on this fix, and now I've got spare parts too lol. I need some day light hours to wrench on it. I hate not having a garage in winter.

[SEAKSR]

pfft... winter. Ha.

[jokeplayer]

Pfft daylight.

I hate these short light days.... I don't think I could handle AK.

And hey, it was around 40* out today.... ok, so that's not cold. Just try to tell that to most of NorCal!!!

[SEAKSR]

Dude... I go to work in the dark, get off work in the dark, pretty much live by electric and candle light. My office doesn't even have a window... However, if you like light then you'd love it from Spring equinox to Fall equinox... It doesn't even really get dark near the end of June.

[Gabriul]

Baaah who needs day light anyway. That whats flood lights are for.

[jokeplayer]

I'm gonna wrench on it tomorrow after work. I know I keep saying that, but if I put it off any longer, I bet it's gonna get ticketed and towed for sitting on the street for so long.