Who ever said Volvos are reliable!? Electrical problem now!

Post by **Stavros** » 22 Jan 2007 11:19 am

Im at my bloody wits end now, the car has had no major problems, but the minor problems are constant, and when I have 4 other cars (R32GTR Skyline, 200SX, Mondeo, and Subaru Legacy Turbo) its making me reluctant to not smash the crap outa this bloody Volvo, even though I love it when it works...

One of the fuses constantly blows, fuse, umm, 16 maybe, i forget.

Its the one that according to the Haynes does the idle solenoid, something to do with the starter, and umm, something else.

The moment you turn the ignition on, it blows, and the car doesnt seem to want to start, just turns over and over.

Tried it with various wires to the carb and starter motor unplugged, and makes no difference.

Im totally stuck to what to do now.

Any ideas?

Post by **Chris_C** » 22 Jan 2007 11:35 am

I know this was in the other thread, but does that carb has a ceramic preheater? If this is assembled wrong on the carb body, it shorts one of the two wires that goes to the carb direct to ground. Also (just checking I've got hte right fuse, sure I am, will check when not at work...) Haynes is wrong on that fuse, should also do fag lighter and rear wiper I think, so check those too (alougth I think you have a saloon, so no rear wiper.

Post by **Stavros** » 22 Jan 2007 03:29 pm

I have a 5dr.

Its an 8amp fuse IIRC, tho the first blown one was a 16 that was originally in it, and i even tried another 16, and that blew straight awat too.

Cant be the carb thing, as I unplugged all the wires to the carb to make sure it wasnt that.

Post by **jtbo** » 22 Jan 2007 03:37 pm

Number 16 is rear right light and license plate light.

Post by **Stavros** » 23 Jan 2007 10:44 am

Not 16 then, i think im just thinking 16 as it had a 16 fuse in it at first.

Its the one that does the idle solenoid, starter inhibitor, and something trivial like the heated seats.

Either way, it seems to be whats making the car not start, and it blows the second you turn the ignition one click, and its doing my head in!

I dont want to Scrap the bugger as I love it, but I will have to at this rate, esp as MOT up in just over a month...

Post by **Chris_C** » 23 Jan 2007 11:19 am

Does the fag lighter/rear wiper work? I'm sure thats on the same fuse as the idle solenoid. As you said you've tried it without the carb wires connected, and it still blows, it's pointing to one of those two for my guess.

Post by **jtbo** » 23 Jan 2007 11:24 am

10 is Driver's seat heating, reversing lights, electronically controlled idle injector, anti starting device*

8 is Fuel cutoff relay, clutch control*, vacuum control unit*

*only for vario

There is small black box at engine bay on intake side wing, it reads solex, if you unplug that is it still blowing fuse?

One thing to check is also relays at behind of instrument panel, when those goes bad they can cause wires to melt or something.

Here are pics when instrument panel is removed, relays are then easily accesible.
http://www.janiervast.com/gallery2/albu ... iskuva.jpg
http://www.janiervast.com/gallery2/albu ... kurele.jpg

Post by **jtbo** » 23 Jan 2007 11:28 am

Chris_C wrote:Does the fag lighter/rear wiper work? I'm sure thats on the same fuse as the idle solenoid. As you said you've tried it without the carb wires connected, and it still blows, it's pointing to one of those two for my guess.

fag lighter is 14 and there is Interior light, boot light, glove box light, ignition lock light, central locking and clock.

11, 14, 18 and 19 are 16amps, 12 is 25 amps and all others are 8 amps, with exception of cars with electric windows number 9 is 25 amps.

Spare fuse is number 17.

I have owners manual of 1988 model so that is where these comes.

Post by **Chris_C** » 23 Jan 2007 11:45 am

Ahh, ok, just when I had my carb preheater shorting, it would take out the rear wiper and fag lighter on Fake! Thats an '89 and a 1.7, but I'd have expected the fuses to be the same. I did sit and curse for a while, as no book I read mentioned that all that was on the same fuse

Post by **foggyjames** » 25 Jan 2007 09:49 pm

Which fuse is it? The numbers are on the fuse box cover. Info from Haynes...so bite me if it's wrong...

Fuse 8 appears to be for the pre-heater.

Both fuses 9 & 10 are linked to the function of the control relay. Of those I think it's more likely to be 10 - that's the power feed to the fuel cut-off relay.

The blue or blue/red wire is the +12v feed to the relay
The black wire goes to the throttle switch.
Another blue/red wire runs from the relay to the idle solenoid.

------

The cars are very reliable if they're looked after. They don't stand abuse that well (in the way that some older Mercs will), but if you don't bugger about with them too much (i.e. do stupid stuff with wiring, etc), and keep on top of the maintainance, they're as good as anything. My 360 has never missed a beat (fuel shortage aside

) in over 14 years of my family owning it. What I'm getting at is that some people think you can buy a 940 and never change the oil, etc. It won't stand much of that kinda thing.

cheers

James

Post by **petefarrell360** » 28 Jan 2007 04:54 am

If it is a fuse which is combined with anything going to the rear of the car, check the wires from the headlining to the hatch, as where they flex they often end up breaking, then possibly shorting out. Worth looking at, as you'll often see bodged tape on them after someone has rejoined them!

Pete