Now that I have a nice, clean Volvo wagon, there is more wrong with it since the last time it was in the shop.

Went in today for an inspection sticker and on the way to the garage that dummy light with the bulb with a slash through it came on. Figured that I lost a brake light or something. Come to find out that a fuse blew and so they tried replacing only to have them continue blowing. It's the passenger side parking light that is out and I guess that fuse also controls the lights in my instrument panel. They didn't have the time to delve deeper so they are going to look at it and fix it Tuesday. Any ideas what this could be?

Also, I noticed a couple of weeks ago that steering to the left is a bit difficult. Not too bad, but noticably different than steering to the right. They had a moment to check that out only to find that the steering rod (or steering rack?) needs to be replaced. It's about $400 to do this. So I asked what would happen if I just left it. He told me that it would just continue to be hard to steer to the left. Considering that I've already put about $2,000 into the car, I've decided to leave it. Anyone see any issues with that?

Any help/advice is appreciated.

Thanks,

Julie

Just curious - do the seat heaters work? And what's that got to do with anything? Well, the seat heater power is on the same fuse as some of the lighting. On one of mine, the center console around the parking brake is all broken. The heater switches grounded out, and blew the fuse. Next thing, I had lights out. If the seat heater wiring is damaged in that seat, the same thing could happen.

Just a thought... otherwise you'll just have to go through the wiring diagram till you find the culprit.
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Rob Bareiss, New London CT ::: '86 244DL- 215K, 87 244DL- 230K, 88 744GLE- 198K, 91 244 180K

I've got seat heaters, but I don't think they work. If I accidentally turned them on, would that affect that fuse? I was cleaning recently and I'm sure I switched them on while I was cleaning.

Julie

Hey Julie:

You had the clean wine colored car in Maine with all the pictures?? I remember seeing the seats in your wagon - looked sort of marginal? I just replaced the seats in my 89 240 project wagon (two used leather seats came with the car)

Anyhow, if you would like the old ones (tan - like yours) - you can have them for the shipping from Ohio, if you want them. I was going to pitch them or relegate them to the garage attic. My old seats are a bit better than what's in your car.

After reading the saga of your ebay car purchase - it sounds like you have had a tough Volvo experience. A lot of the problems associated with your car are due to higher mileage (over 200K)? Little stuff just wears out. However, the engines go forever.

A lot of the Volvo nuts here stick with 100k to 150k cars when buying one. In my case that makes all the difference, plus being able to do the all of the mechnical work is what saves me a fortune.

On the steering rack - lots of problems with those on the early 240s and old 140s - very leaky. However, of all the cars I have owned, I never had to replace a rack yet. Is this one leaking or not?

Bob Weber
49 Volvos since 1979
Hamilton, Ohio
weberbob@alum.rit.edu
VOCA member since - not sure - long time.

88 240 sedan 187K (mine), 86 240 wagon 137K (sister 1), 89 240 wagon 173K (project - building for my niece), 88 740 wagon 160K (niece's current car), 89 740 sedan 240K (sister 2) 88 740 wagon 235K (brother-in-law). Currently maintaining all 6 and ready to buy number 7! LOL

Hi Bob:

Thanks for the offer of the seats. I've got some nice seat covers that are in the mail right now and am going to just slip those on to hide the mess. I feel a little done with the car project for now. I've got to work on getting the grease out from under my nails at this point! LOL. I do appreciate your offer though.

Regarding getting a car with 100 - 150k...yeah, that would've been nice. There are tons of Volvo 240s here in Maine -- I see at least one each time I leave my driveway -- and I think that most people know to keep them till at least 200k. Plus, I only had so much money and I really didn't want that car payment monkey on my back. Luckily so far, with the amount that I paid for the car and the amount that I've put into it, that was my car allowance. The time and effort...well, that's another story. My boyfriend was sort of in on getting the car with me. Basically, he was looking forward to maintaining the mechanical aspects of the vehicle. We simply just didn't have the time to make it a project car though. Of course now, the boyfriend is somewhat MIA...so that's a mute point. The Volvo mechanic that I use is married with kids, so no free car repair for me. ;o)

I don't know if it's leaking or not. The car was there only to be inspected and they just got a quick peek. I'll get more details on Tuesday when it goes in to have the fuse fixed, oil changed, and inspection done.

Thanks,

Julie

As it turns out it was the stearing rack, like I tryed to explain. Did they tell you what was wrong with it,the valves? or the rack/pinion gear inside?

Anyways "OUCH" on the price to replace,could it be rebuilt?
--
Kevin * HONDA spanking,1985 240DL * VOLVO ON!!!!

Good questions all around. I'll probably get more information on Tuesday, but honestly, the hard steer to the left doesn't bother me. It needs to be two-handed when I am getting out of a parking spot or turning from a stop, but other than that, it's not a big deal as long as it doesn't cause any long-term damage or cause me to wreck it or anything.

Julie

Thanks for the reply,It will fail, if it is that hard to turn, than that is bad.I had a rack that did the same thing and it failed on a wide turn @ 55mph the car went over threw on comming trafic,luckly no one was hurt.If the rack gets jammed than the wheels wont turn at all, thats all I can say.

There is one thing you can try,replace the fluid this is called a power steering flush. Power steering fluid does go bad and it gets little metal chips in it, from the gears in rack, that clog, and stick to the rack & pinion. It might work and fix it. Also cheack the lines for kinks, that could of been missed at the inspection of the unit. Just a thought, and good luck.
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Kevin * HONDA spanking,1985 240DL * VOLVO ON!!!!

Thanks. I'll take this information to my mechanic and see what he has to say about it. Stupid car...

Julie