Question1989 Volvo 240 DL. An indicator light near the oil light occasionally comes on. It is the number 5. What does that mean, and does it have anything to do with the following problems?:
1. Occassionally the engine will crank, but not start. Fuel appears ok, new filter and the pump seems ok even when the problem manifests. Spark is questionable. After a period of 5-30 minutes, the engine will start and run flawlessly. It does not seem to be a tempurature related problem, as it happens hot, cold, and warm. Very random.
2. The engine has recently taken to trying to shut off while running. It has not yet succeeded, but it is well on it's way. It always catches before it dies, and resumes normal operation. Again, no tempurature relation, and random.
3. When you turn the headlamps off, the engine seems to shudder, and try to die. It doesn't quite make it, then resumes. Only when you turn them off. Not on. And it is fairly regular, though not perfectly consistent.
I am a pretty fair homespun mechanic, but diagnosing Volvo electrical problems seems to be somewhat beyond me. Your ideas are readily welcomed!
AnswerI would first start with checking for any diagnostic trouble codes. below is how to do so.
if there are no codes stored I would have the throttle body cleaned and adjusted properly by the dealer or a mechanic who is familiar with volvos because there is a special procedure for setting it up.
n the engine bay on the drivers side near the strut tower there is a small black box with a wire attached to it.place the wire in the terminal marked 2.turn ignition key on (not started)press the small button for 1 second and the code will be displayed as a series of flashes.a red led displays the codes.the code will be three digits.small pause in between flashes for a single number long pause between flashes for the next number.example 121 will be flash.....flash..flash.....flash.repeat three times or until first code repeats itself.to erase the code after all codes have been checked hold the button for a good 5 seconds then release the light should light steady,then press for another 5seconds.this will erase the codes. email me the codes and i will tell you what they are..socket 2is the fuel system 6 is ignition.
