Well, I posted several messages here. I indicated that I just purchased an '87 244 with 159K on clock. PO (previous owner) stated that he thought that the in-tank and main fuel pumps might be burned out as he drove the car out of gas. He further stated that a Volvo mechanic ran a fuel hose from a portable container to a vacuum on the intake side and made it run. I did not witness that event. I just bought the car and towed it home.

Now, what I did notice was a buzzing/vibrating fuel relay. Swapped out several other ones and they did the same thing. Swapped out the in-tank pump and still no fuel to the fuel regulator. Only time fuel made it to the fuel reg. was when I jumpered from fuse 4-6 (left side). But even this did not permit the car to run or stop the relay buzzing.

What I did do was take the negative wire from the battery, where it connects to the fender well and sand and clean the contacts there. There is also a red wire that goes to the positive side of the battery and somewhere midway in the line is a funky 20 amp blade fuse that was in disgusting condition. I actually wonder if this is some sort of aftermarket rig, or is this standard Volvo equipment. It has a red wire connected to it and white 20amp blade fuse and disappears into a black harness which is taped up. Cleaned the crap out of that connection and never did I expect THAT to solve the problem. Jumped in and turned the key and wha la! The flippin car started and purred like a kitten! That was the most unexpected fix I've ever encountered! I drove the car around the block and it runs great!!!! Got to love that kind of repair. Guess I now know what it feels like to be a mechanic in just about any garage where they too don't have a flippin clue what they are doing and JUST happen to come across a fix out of the clear blue. I guess I can charge myself $500.00 for the repair now!

Anyway, does anyone know about this ground to the wheel well, and especially the red wire from the positive side of battery to the 20A blade fuse? Is this a Mickey Mouse job or something on all Volvos of this vintage.

To all, have a FANTASTIC 4th of July!!!!

Sincerely,

JBeechcraft