I had a used cruise control put in my '88 240 and it is not working. For one, it loses 5 to 8 mph from the set point to the cruise. Secondly, it loses speed on any incline, and Third, the replacement switch, on the steering column,that includes the turn signal and dimmer switch will only works as high beam or low beam, it will not quick-flash on high to signal oncoming traffic or when you let a truck come in.

The local volvo guy says that is the way the 240 switch arm works. He says the 240's don't have a quick flash. Is that right?

Any ideas on either the cruise problem or the quick-flash of high beam would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Bob

i had a similar problem with the cruise control on my 960... i don't know anything about the 240, but in my case it turned out to be the gas cable of the accelerator pedal that was not entirely on the cable wheel behind the vacuum. so it took about 20 seconds to fix it.

uturn. 92 960 226.000km.

If the lights are off, you will get a quick flash. If the lights are ON, you will engage the high beams. To get a quick flash on ANY 240 with the lights on, you have to hit it twice.

Actually you'll turn the high beams on even if the main lights are off.
Sure the lights will go off when you release the lever.. but when you turn
the headlight switch on you'll get the high beams.

One of the few things I missed from my Taurus (flash to pass, and amazing
A/C).

- alex

'85 244 Turbo

I think you must suspect he is full of crap on the flash. It is the desperate refuge of the truly incompetant mechanic who claims the anomaly that stumps him is "normal for a Volvo". On the cruise, not sure, it could be "normal for a Volvo". Ha ha. I suspect your vacuum is not sufficiently activating the bellows to depress (actually, to pull the top of) the accelerator pedal. Either that or the speedo signel is whacky or mis-read by the cruise ECU. Just a guess though. I would replace components one at a time to cure it but I realize not everyone has the spares that I have piled in the garage.

First off, go ask your mechanic if he mostly works on Chevys! If he answers yes, you know why he fed you a line of BS! The loss of speed is NOT normal, the cruise typically keeps the car within a few MPH of setpoint(as long as it doesn't have to downshift). As far as the high beam "flash", it doesn't matter if he only works on Chevys or not, he is full of CRAP!

Here is a list of suspect items for the deceleration issue:
1: Cruise control "computer" most likely.
2: A leaky actuator diaphragm (a manual vacuum pump can be used to test this)
3: Related to problem cause noted below (try this first).

As far as the high beam flash issue, one thing comes to mind... the turn signal switch or the associated harness.

Good luck!
John

If you have to replace the activation unit bolted to the firewall, it can be around $300 give or take--look on Ebay or BB classifieds--works for me.