I now have 3 Renix units here and only one works, it seems these may be the demise of owning a 300 here in Aus as they are always failing and supplies are getting thin, every time i buy one the wreckers want more money.

So, does anyone know why they fail, and if they can be repaired?

Also, one of the ones i have ins't actually a renix, it has bendix written on it, looks to be aftermarket, anyone come across one before?

Is the whole unit failing, or just the coil (which is still available separately as an aftermarket / second source part) ? The unit itself is epoxy potted, like so many auto electric bits, so there's not much you can do to it

About the name, Renix comes from the cooperation started between Renault and the Bendix Corporation, they first made an electronic ignition system (as used in e.g. the 300 series), and then progressed on to making a full ECU for fuel injection engines, used in several Renault engines among others.

So if it's a Bendix-branded unit it's still made by the original manufacturer but as you guessed it may be an aftermarket part.

Take the coil off and check the terminals between the 2 units, they corrode a lot over here. You need some torx bits though.

Is the bendix the right part number? 400 series have bendix branded ones stock, but I can't think of anything with a redblock map that wouldn't be 300 and hence renix.

I'll take some pics of what i have...

Some 340's have bendix. Not sure about the 360

Renix units are like gold dust over here in WA, there are none to be found anywhere - even my local Volvo Specialists struggle to find them. The day mine packs up will be the death of my 360 I fear, I was after a battery clamp and negative earth strap earlier - with similar results!

Before you go shelling out loads for a part down under, try having one sent over from Europe. They're small and light so postage won't break the bank, as long as you don't mind waiting 10 weeks for the "surface mail" ...

But make sure you get the right part number (see pettaw/mac's post):
http://www.volvo300mania.com/forum-uk/v ... f=6&t=3506

As Chris / nomead says, it tends to be the coil itself which fails (happened to me twice too)

Tom

whiskeyonesix wrote:Renix units are like gold dust over here in WA, there are none to be found anywhere - even my local Volvo Specialists struggle to find them. The day mine packs up will be the death of my 360 I fear, I was after a battery clamp and negative earth strap earlier - with similar results!

Yeah, you have to be creative i'm afraid, when i replaced the heater and radiator hoses on my last one i had hoses from a old falcon, a commodore and an astra i think to get the right bends then i trimmed them to lenght.

That is also why i want to repair my renix if i can so i have a spare sitting around.

How do i test the coil?

I have a few second hand units about that work.

Heat is problem with Renix unit, btw my unit is Renix Bendix or something like that

It should not be very big problem if you can't get it work with Renix unit. Just grab dizzy setup from 240 that had Bosch ignition module, dizzy should fit to block ok, imo. Then just wire Bosch module and coil.

Other option would be Megasquirting it, that would be quite fun to adjust ignition timing on road