Hi people, You've got a great thing goin' on here. I've been reading for about a month now. I just bought an '88 240 wagon for $600.00. I've already solved many of the small problems it came with using info found on this board. The problems consist mostly of small stuff like a stripped window crank, blown tail lights, a burned out wiper motor and a pin missing from a brake caliper. All in all an ok deal since I don't mind doin' the work myself and they have great junk yards in Atlanta .

The engine from what I hear was rebuilt and then the car was parked. The engine bay is very clean and the wiring harness appears to have been replaced. I bought it from one of my best friends who got from his boss less than 6 months ago.

The problem I can't figure is a new problem or combination of problems. Here's a lil back ground info. At first the fuel pump ran contantly 'causing the battery to go dead over-night and cranking problems. I just pulled the battery cable off for the rest of the week then went to the Pull-a-Part and got a couple fuel pump relays. Popped one in and that cleared the problem with that up plus made the car crank like new.

The problems: A day after the new relay install I got in the car and turned the key. The dash lit up like it's supposed to and then all electrical power was gone. I figured The battery cable was loose. So I went to tighten it up but the power was back on before I got the hood up. This went on a few times and I finaly got the car running so I tightened the cables down and drove home expecting it to die on me but it didn't and it cranked and ran fine all week. Today however I hit the key, there was a click then no power. I checked the battery cable. It was a little loose maybe but not "bad connection" loose. The car cranked after loosing power twice. Then when I put it in "Drive" and it stalled. I figure it just needed to warm up a little 'cause it stalls a lot of times when first droppedin gear when cold. But as I took off the car bucked a couple times like it wanted to stall again. Then it began to buck more and more as I drove and actualy did stall out at one point but it didn't loose electrical power I think, 'cause I put it in neutral and cranked while I was still moving. It continued to try to stall out but it got less frequent as I drove and was running fine by the time I got home.

The only things I've done to the car having to do with the electrical system is replace the fuel pump relay, the wiper switch assembly, and completely removed wiper motor(awaiting repalcement). I tried to replace the two relays under carpet on the drivers side. I got confused as to which was which so I just put the old ones back on. I may have mixed them up Who knows? I don't even know what they do yet I just figured I'd replace them all since I got all the relays for free. What do those two relays do any way? and how do you tell them apart? Also The car came with the third and fourth fuses from the top jumpered together with a piece of wire. I don't wanna' touch that till I know why it was done. This is my first european car and I still have a lot to learn about it.

Sorry for makin' this so long but any help is greatly apprieciated. I hope to become a big contributor to the board in the not too distant future.