Guys

Re 740 1991 wagon (Aussie specs) which stalled in hot weather:

Symptoms: stalled while driving in hot weather; felt like fuel pump failure or vapour lock; fuel pump working; power OK to spark plugs.

The friendly auto-electrician has fixed it. Cost for the part: $A 700!! (c. $US 400). The problem turned out to be the computer for the fuel injection system. For Oz spec vehicles, it is located behind the panel next to the accelerator pedal (RHD).

I asked to see the replacement part and he showed me an aluminium box about the size of a VHS video box with a 26(?) pin female connector at the base. Part number: Bosch Jetronic 0280 000 595. I asked if I could take it home and pull it apart to see what costs $700 and he said that he would need a deposit. I asked why and he said that the computer units are "on exchange".

Now that is quite interesting: for example, does that mean that Volvo/Bosch recycles these things and resells them as new? To be fair, I can understand why they might want to do that, if the problem might be a faulty chip/PNP transistor etc. which could easily be replaced by the factory. But surely the customers should be told that the part they are buying has been recycled? Has anyone else heard of this practice?

Thanks

CH