My 1990 240, automatic, sedan has 136K miles. At about 100K, 3 years ago, I had an independent Volvo guy replace the ECU due to catastophic failure. He put in a remanufactured 561 unit. For the last few weeks the car has developed a fast idle. Otherwise the car is fine. The independent Volvo guy says the 2nd ECU is now bad. I trust him since he done good work before. I told him that i would try to find a used unit before spending another $700.00 for a Volvo re-manufactured ECU. He cautioned me that I should only use a 561 unit; any other unit might damage things. I have a few questions if somone would be so kind:

1. Is there an alternative ECU that may be more reliable? I remember something about a different unit number, perhaps 951. Can anyone confirm that this would be OK?

2. I believe that the ECU is mounted behind the passenger kick panel in front of the door. Am I correct? Ho do I remove this panel and other items to get at the unit?

3. Does anyone have an ECU for this car that they would like to sell? If so, how much?

Thank you for your time.

Use either a 951 or a factory-reman 561.
You won't damage anything. The 951 I have never heard of failing.

To access, open the passenger door, remove the threshold clipped onto the rocker panel (it just pulls off), remove the front half of the door weatherstripping, unclip the under-dash carpet pad if it's still there, and pull the kick panel away. Pretty easy to get at then.

You may need Torx screwdrivers to get it out, 1990 is around when they changed from Phillips to Torx.
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Rob Bareiss, New London CT ::: 92 244-M47-207K ::: 90 745GL-M47-268K ::: 88 245DL-AW70-230K ::: 88 244 SOLD! 87 244 SOLD! Still looking for a bright red or black 244 with sunroof...

Thank you for your help; as usual your instructions are correct. It is a Torx head bolt. Now I'll try to find a used 951 from a trustworthy source.
adavis

There are about a half dozen white label 561 and 951 ECUs on ebay.

By the way, does anyone know offhand what ECU a 16 valve 1990 740 uses? It's a Bosch ignition system.

hi there.
i have a white label 0 280 000 561 for sale.
i also have a white label 0 280 000 951 for sale.
contact me at peopleguy999@bellsouth.net
i also have a aftermarket 561 for sale.
the pink label 561 ecus are known to go bad.
all guarenteed to work.
people here have used other ecus without problems.
good luck
mike