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I wonder if someone has an idea regarding my 1991 240 (original owner - 190,500 miles).
Three times in the last month my volvo would not start after it had been driven and then parked for a half hour or so. The battery and starter are strong but it just grinds away and won't catch. Each time I left the car for 30 minutes or so and then came back and was able to start it up. It last happened a few days ago...and after starting it after its rest I decided to take it directly to a mechanic where it is now. I noticed a very slight single "hiccup" enroute.
Of course the mechanic has been able to start it every time and seems a bit at a loss as to what a winning approach might be to troubleshoot this problem. He said that maybe it would help to replace the fuel relay.
Any information given will be highly appreciated. Note, brickboard respondents rendered great assistance last year by diagnosing oil leaking around the valve cover as being the result of a clogged flame trap (final repair bill: $137.00) which was a lot better than getting a new engine as suggested by chanic).
Presently the car needs a new muffler and probably pipe as the system is leaking exhaust and noise.
I would also like to list some longstanding quirks of the car in case anyone cares to comment...
Last summer I drove to Seattle from San Francisco (1800 mi R/T). On the way up the fuse related to the transmission shifting into high gear kept blowing - and some of the time I had to just drive in second gear. After stopping for the night and buying yet another box of hard-to-find fuses I was able to drive the rest of the way normally. BUT, on the way home it happened again and basically we drove most of the way in the lower gear. Nerve wracking. It has never happened since.
When I step on the brake pedal, a dashboard warning light comes on signifying a burnt out tail light buld...but the bulbs are fine.
Every so often, usualyy when I forget to turn the radio off before turning the ignition off, the REM (air bag) light comes on the dash. So far I have been able to simply turn the engine off, restart the car, and the light stays off.
Although the car has never actually overheated the dashboard guage can easily climb to near the red zone in stop-and-go traffic and/or hot weather. I do use the heater to climb it back down but even if I don't she doesn't overheat. Thermostadt?
Thank you so much for reading this and for any comments that may be forthcoming. For what it's worth, I really like my car and would like to get it into good shape economically and keep it as much of forever as possible.
Best regards,
Skoalie
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