Hello, friends. I am new here...I hope to learn and maybe contribute to this wonderful online resource....while keeping my brick running strong.
MY STORY:
Last year I bought my first Volvo, a 1990 240 DL wagon. 219,000 miles on it. It drove great for 600 mi. until, after a couple weeks of driving with the check engine light on, I threw a piston through the block. OOPS. I had her towed to my new mechanic. He put a 70,000 mile motor in her for $1,200. At the time I didn't have the cash on hand so the car sat at the mechanic's for 9 months! I got it back a couple weeks ago and it's definitely been running stronger. I had a whiny sound coming from the front. So i replaced the brake pads tonight and it sounded better after a trip around the block.

IMMEDIATE PROBLEM #1:
Yesterday I had used the cruise control without any problem early in the day. Last evening, as the sun was going down, I went for a drive and the CC wasn't working. I was a little perturbed but didn't think much of it. After dark, as I was leaving to return home I noticed I only had one bottom right rear light working. No break lights. no left, center or right. although I should clean the corrosion from the fuse panel soon, all the fuses look good.
I don't own a voltmeter but plan on picking one up tomorrow.
So, Where should I start?
is it coincidence that the CC and Brake lights failed at the same time?

CONCERN #1::
The CHECK ENGINE light has been on since i picked the car up 300 miles ago. I checked the diagnostic box and got no message...1-1-1. The mechanic says don't worry...that's what happens with an engine swap. it will go away. What should I do? Should I worry that something will go wrong. Not sure if I trust this guy 100%.

CONCERN #2:
As the car is starting, as it turns over...at the end is a "Wwweeeeee!" sound. I think it is the starter going bad? it turns over and starts, sounding nice maybe a third of the time. The rest of the time she has this WWWEEEE! sound as the motor finishes turning over to start. Is this something of great concern? it doesn't sound healthy. New starter asap? or do i have a few months?

Thanks for your input.