Unfortunately I discovered this site after I bought my Volvo, an 84, 250 DL Wagon.(sorry this is a bit long)

The test drive went fine and it seemed to run well. I paid for it, turned on the wipers, then the washer, the wipers froze mid stroke. Got it home and found a fuse had blown, replaced it and noticed that all the insulation on the wires going to the washer motors had eroded. The previous owner had never tried the washer, he did not know how to use it.

A half hour later I went for a ride. It started to buck, the starter made the noise it makes when it does not engage(while the car was running), I stopped and started it again and it seemed ok. Made it about 1 mile and it died, jump started it on a hill and it died again and would not turn over. A minute later it did turn over, but ran very poorly, I barely made it home.

The insulation on the wires coming out of the connector by the firewall on the drivers side were all corroded and probably shorting out, put electrical tape on them for a temp fix. It still would not turn over. If the ignition is on I can sometimes start the car by shorting the two main terminals on the starter solenoid, sometimes the starter engages and it starts, sometimes the starter just spins. When I turn the ignition to the start position the dash lights dim and some kind of motor activates in the engine compartment (don’t think it’s the solenoid).

Someone has used a plethora of butt connectors to splice in all kinds of pretty colored wires, not the correct colors, sometimes three splices on one wire. It’s not pretty. Had I know about all this three days ago……Grrr

So after thoroughly searching this site I’ve figured out I will need to replace the wiring harness. Does anyone think this will solve the starting issue as well?

All suggestions, tips, hints and ideas will be greatly appreciated. I need to get this thing fixed.

Thanks,