My wagon is almost ready to run! My problem all along has been related to the ignition wiring harness and/or it's connection to the ICU.

I found an updated genuine Volvo harness at the Pull-a-Part and the other day replaced the old one in the '83. Initially, she would not start at all. Today I persuaded my wife to crank the engine while I ran a few ignition tests as per Bentley.

Since I suspected the connection at the ICU, I wiggled it while she cranked. It started right up and ran fine but died when I let go. I repeated this several times to be sure with the same result.

Here is where I'd like some input. I have exhausted the brickboard search engine looking at posts about those pin connector sleeves. The male pins in the ICU already have sleeves at the #3, #5 and #9 pins which correspond to wiring from the distributor impulse sensor. Even so, they must not be doing their job.

In the Bentley manual, it warns of not unplugging the connection at the ICU, and if you do, replace the wiring harness. I find it hard to believe that a good connection cannot be made using some other method than replacing with new, expensive parts.

I am wondering if the poor connection, at this point, exists not at the sleeves, but within the female part - the wiring harness. This must be it. A Volvo tech friend of mine suggested beefing the diameter of the pins further by building them up with solder. Does this sound feasible? Any other ideas? Thanks - Jim