Hi again. My 86 244 b230 has had a intermittent problem with the motor it seems to lose power for a millisecond at crusing speed every now and then. So yesterday i noticed when my left front tire hit the reflectors on the road it would make this problem happen, As i went over the bumpy reflectors. When this happens the tachometer will bounce down about 1,000 rpms then right back up to 2,500 rpms. this usually happens on start up in the morning and has gotten progressively worse in the last month.when it happens in the morning and i turn car off then back on it usually cures the problem. So i started to clean and put dielectric grease on the connections starting at the coil when i got to the starter solenoid and went to remove the the cables i noticed the solenoid is loose it turns back and forth about one quarter inch. should i just replace the solenoid? could this be the problem of the engine stumbling? im not too good with electrical problems. But i can remove and replace almost anything. exept a couple of pocket watches that never got put back together:-) there are no stupid questions right! thanks

This sounds quite similar to a problem I had to deal with last month for a friend. 87 240,and the car died under similar circumstances. The problem turned out to be the 2-pin grey plug in the harness below/next to the coil. Looked good, just was not engaging enough and it wouldn't do it all the time.
I replaced the distributor, the ignition computer, the coil, and tore into the harness to inspect individual wires before tracking this sucker down.
WOuldn't do it all the time, and often stalled out in reverse. Sometimes it went all day, sometimes it died every 5 minutes. Very frustrating. Finally found I was missing the 12V at the coil... then it would reappear.
Hopefully that simple for you.
And the solenoid can probably just be tightened up... I think there's 2 long bolts through it but it's been a while since I had to deal with one. Remove the battery cables - there's a good risk of a spark or short when working arond the starter on something like this.
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Rob Bareiss, New London CT ::: '87 244DL/M47- 225K, 88 744GLE- 209K, 91 244 183K. Also responsible for the care and feeding of: 88 745GLE, 229K, 88 244GL, 146K, 87 244DL, 235K, 88 245DL, 236K

thanks i remember that post and i saved it thats why i started looking for a simular problem. my wagon has the connector that was your problem. but i dont think the sedan has it. any way i put a known good a.m.m. from my 85 in and will know tomorrow. then i will keep cleaning contacts and grounds. i do have a volvo guy to go to. he will have to drive it for a day or two but he is real good. just like to learn for myself having 3 of these cars. plus he charges for repair and i dont!