There have been lots of threads about ECU issues on the later model 240s, but nothing ever about the ICU--the ignition control computer. Are these pretty much bulletproof on the later years? I once had an ignition module fail on a 1980, but maybe on the later years this is a no-problem unit.


Also--My 1992 now has over 200k and I'm thinking about making another cross-country trip. What do you folks consider to be the items most likely to quit without warning while cruising down the interstate?

I've got AAA, so if I couldn't find the problem I could get towed to a competent shop, but it might be in a small town with no Volvo parts source. My odds of getting back on the road the same day would be much greater if I had a replacement handy.

Soooo, what should I carry with me? Here is my preliminary list:

fuel pump relay
main fuel pump(?--yes or no?)
ECU
ICU(?) -- that's why I asked above about this item.
crank position sensor
fuses

Any other suggestions?


Thanks for any help you can provide.

Doug Harvey

I've got a North American '87 245 (LH-Jetronic 2.2 fuel injection) and here's a rough idea of what I keep for spare parts and tools. Some of the stuff I have may not be relevant to your trip, but the tools, parts, and fluids are a good idea.

1. Two spare main relays.
2. Two spare fuel pressure regulators.
3. Assorted fuses.
4. One timing belt tensioner.
5. One or two spare timing belts.
6. Two quarts of 5w30 oil.
7. Two quarts of Dexron III transmission fluid.
8. Metric sockets 8mm through 19mm and a 3/8" drive.
9. Metric wrenches 6mm through 19mm (box wrenches with open-end).
10. Duct Tape and Electrical Tape.
11. Assorted bolts, nuts, hose clamps, and vacuum tubes.
12. Eye protection (safety goggles).
13. Tire Pressure Gauge.
14. Tire repair kit. (not a can of Fix-A-Flat)
15. A small toolbox to hold all the above mentioned items.
16. 12-volt tire inflator.
17. Two emergency ponchos. ($0.50 at grocery store)
18. Flashlight.
19. Three large glow sticks (6 hour).
20. Five Orion road flares (30 minutes).
21. Jumper cables.
22. +5,000 lbs rated tow rope (or chain if it's winter/snowing).
23. Maps of where I am, and where I'm going.
24. GPS (Garmin 12XL).
25. Radio: Amateur band, VHF. (FCC license: KC8KML)
26. Coming soon: Air Mass Meter and Main Fuel Pump.

Some of you may think this list is a bit nuts, but also consider that I'm prepared to do most minor repairs that could keep a car from being fit for the road. -and I'm an Eagle Scout, so I like being prepared to assist myself and others. The transmission fluid is good for both the tranny and the power steering. Oil is good to have, especially for helping other motorists (a quart for them and I still have a quart for myself). The parts I listed are junk-yard pulls and typically cost between $2 and $6 each, and that's also why I carry two of most of them (they're cheap and they might be of questionable reliability). The pre-planning of grabbing a spare part while walking through the junk yard can save you hours/days and lots of money when on a road trip.

As for the ECU and the ICU, I've heard great reports on the reliability of these units. I'm looking to acquire a spare of each for home testing and diagnostic work, but I wouldn't expect them to fail. I'd probably bring one of my spare Idle Air Control Valves before I'd bring an ICU or an ECU.

Regarding roadside tire repair. First off, pull off the road (onto a somewhat firm surface), swap on the spare tire, and drive to the nearest service station that can repair a puncture (or rest stop if you have the tools with you). I STRONGLY advise against using the cans of Fix-A-Flat for the following reasons:
1. Most people do not read the directions on the can. Consequently, they don't have the tools to remove the valve core on the tire before they spray in the repair material. If they do spray the contents into the tire without removing the valve, there's a chance it won't seal and thus prevent it from holding air.
2. Most people do not have a way to fill the tire with air after you've sprayed in the 'fix-it' goop. A separate can of compressed air is needed, or a tire inflator. Fix-A-Flat does not inflate the tire, it only sprays in a goopy sealer in hopes of plugging a small hole (small nail sized).
3. By using a can of Fix-A-Flat, you have just about sentenced the tire to its death. You now have the equivalent of sticky bubble gum on the inside of the tire and wheel. The balance will be WAY off with this large sticky/moving mass inside it. To restore the tire to good working condition, you must de-mount the tire from the wheel and then spend a lot of time cleaning out the goop that you sprayed into it. Depending on the cleaners available, the labor a tire shop will charge you to do this can be high and you may be better off buying a new tire if its been contaminated in this way.

...With all that said, I'd just use your spare tire until you get a chance to fix the punctured one.

God bless and happy driving.
Fitz Fitzgerald.

P.S. Please be careful when changing a tire or performing tire repairs on the side of the road. Pull off as far as you safely can while still keeping a firm surface for the jack to rest on. (and if you're jacking up a rear tire, be sure to block/chock a front tire for safety) By practicing at home, you can ensure a swift recovery on the road. If you find yourself on a fast moving road/highway with no suitable shoulder to change a tire, it would be safer to drive slowly to the next exit rather than risk you life.
--
'87 Blue 245, NA 223K

1. One thing I do NOT take on a trip--the original spare. Whenever I get a car, the very first thing I do is ditch the "temp" spare and buy a real wheel and a solid tire that matches the dia. of the tires on the ground.

2. If you're trying to jack the car on a soft surface, you should have a piece of plywood to spread the load so the jack won't squish into the ground or turn over.

Good luck

Doug Harvey

Hey, I hadn't thought of the plywood idea. I'll toss in a piece later this week.

I think you'll be glad to hear that Volvo spare tires are not of the same breed as the rest of the automotive world. Volvo builds their spares well, and they mention that it's safe to go as far as 2,000 miles on their spare tires (to finish an extended road trip). This was a real shock to me when I came across this statement while reading through my owners manual (just after acquiring the car).

Comparing a typical American made vehicle spare (60 psi, Bicycle tire sized rubber, undersized stamped thin metal wheel) to a Volvo spare (35 psi, much larger tire rubber, made by a major manufacturer (Michelin/Firestone/BFGoodrich/etc), and heavy gauge stamped wheel that keeps the car up higher).

If I were to take a road trip in just about any other car out there, I'd have a full size spare (and I do keep a full size in my Pontiac). With my Volvo, I'm comfortable with the one that came with the car.

God bless, and drive safe.
Fitz Fitzgerald.
--
'87 Blue 245, NA 223K

Fitz--

It's not just whether the factory spare is durable enough to take road knocks. On a long highway trip, I would also be concerned about:

1. Overall tire diameter, esp if I have to put it on the rear. You don't want 2,000 miles of constant differential working at interstate speeds.

2. Handling and traction comparable to the other tires. Once again, esp if it's on the rear, you could lose the rear end real quick in snow or mud with that high pressure spare.

And if I've got a car that I plan on putting lots of miles on, I figure I might as well pony up for a rim and a real tire when I first get the car. If I can find a rim straight enough to be in regular use, I rotate the best of my old tire set into the trunk the first time I buy new tires for that car. Then from that point on I absolutely know I've got a dependable spare.

The next time I buy tires (yes, I've kept one car long enough for several sets of tires) I ditch the old spare so that it won't rot out just from age.

At least that's how I see it.

Doug

jumper cables
a few wrenches
duct tape for emergency repair to hoses
remember the larger fuses in the engine compartment
can of fix-a-flat, plus check air in spare.
quart of oil
couple of rags
flash light
radiator stop leak (the powder, not the liquid)

Great list but add an AMM and alternator brushes and skip the ICU. Never heard of anyone needing one.

I got a picture of Don in one car and Rob in the other. The good karma keeps em running, though the spare fuel relay and fuses go a long way.