My $200 bargain volvo, a 1981 240DL is giving me troubles and I've nearly exhausted myself troubleshooting and staring at the Chilton's manual. Here's my problem: Valerie (the volvo), cranks but just won't fire. Out of desperation and in need of immediate transportation I hotwired directly from the coil (negative side) to the positive on the battery. Valerie started right up, however, I know I can't keep her this way and I'm not into doing things the wrong way. So now I've been having to turn off the engine by disengaging the clutch while it's in gear, also not necessarily a good thing to keep doing. I also have to take the hotwire off incase it desides to drain. I replaced the coil, thinking that this was the problem and it isn't. Could this be the ignition switch? Could it be in the distributor which is only 1yr old with very low mileage. I had this problem last year and the ex-boyfriend put in some kind of toggle switch so when ever she wouldn't turn off of had trouble starting I'd flip the switch; now that doesn't work. Last year when I replaced the alternator I didn't need the toggle switch and Valerie ran great, could this problem be related to the alternator? Any - and I mean any advice would be appreciated. Has anyone else had this problem and how did you fix it? I'm here in Alaska and trying to find someone to work on a volvo much less someone who knows about volvos is like trying to tame a moose....extremely difficult!!!