1986 240 dl - Warning Light Issue

Discussion in 'Volvo 240' started by DJ SIEGE, Oct 12, 2004.

  1. DJ SIEGE

    DJ SIEGE Guest

    Ok, the other day I'm on the freeway going about 60 mph,when the red oil
    light started to flicker. The faster I went 65-70 mph, it stayed on red.
    (goes off when I slow down) I checked the oil level and it was normal.

    Then yesterday again, driving about 60 mph on the freeway, the battery
    light,brake failure, and parking brake lights came on and flashed a few
    times. (I just got new brakes 3 days ago)
    Today when I went to move the car all of the lights I mentioned before were
    on, except now they just stay on.
    Any Idea what could be causing this issue?
     
    DJ SIEGE, Oct 12, 2004
    #1
  2. DJ SIEGE

    G Klein Guest

    Check the small red wire on the rear of the alternator if this comes lose
    this could cause your complaint

    --
    "*-344-*Never Forgotten"
    Is for the New York City Firemen who lost their lives on September 11,2001.
    The official count is 343, but there was also a volunteer who lost his life
    aiding in the initial rescue efforts. And I will never forget them as long
    as I live,
    nor should any American.
    "Mow Green"
     
    G Klein, Oct 12, 2004
    #2
  3. DJ SIEGE

    Vic Guest

    Sounds like your alternator isnt charging, Use a voltmeter on the battery
    terminals while the car is running and look for more than 12 volts.
     
    Vic, Oct 12, 2004
    #3
  4. DJ SIEGE

    DJ SIEGE Guest

    I checked, the wire is connected but,coming apart. (fraying).
    It definetly needs to be replaced.
    What kind of wire should I use to reconnect it?
    And, how difficult will it be to fix?
    Any direction on how to fix this is appreciated. Thanks.
     
    DJ SIEGE, Oct 13, 2004
    #4
  5. DJ SIEGE

    DJ SIEGE Guest

    Also I was wondering , Is it a bad idea to drive around with these issues?
     
    DJ SIEGE, Oct 13, 2004
    #5
  6. DJ SIEGE

    KHanawalt Guest

    Use a voltmeter on the battery
    Not just more than 12 volts. It should be charging over 13.5, maybe even 14
    volts.

    I had an alternator problem, and it was just barely keeping things going,
    charging at about 12.3 volts, but that's not enough to keep the battery fully
    charged.
    KennyH

    Horsepower is cheaper than therapy.
     
    KHanawalt, Oct 13, 2004
    #6
  7. DJ SIEGE

    KHanawalt Guest

    Also I was wondering , Is it a bad idea to drive around with these issues?
    You aren't charging your battery fully, and you could get somewhere and the car
    wouldn't start, or if you're driving a long distance it could just stop running
    somewhere. You can take it to Autozone or another parts store, they usually
    have a free test that will tell you if you're charging system is okay.

    I had the same problem with the dash lights a couple of weeks ago, had to
    replace the alternator. $72 at Autozone, I did it myself.

    If you're lucky, you may just need a set of brushes. These come attached to
    the regulator, which is what you have to ask for at the parts store. These are
    $25 at Autozone, and can be replaced without removing the alternator, from
    above the engine (no crawling around.) I tried this, but they didn't fix my
    problem. I then exchanged them for a new alternator.

    Maybe you have a friend to help you do this? Pretty easy, really. Just need a
    set of wrenches and maybe some ramps or jack-stands to get the car up off the
    ground so you can crawl under it easily.
    KennyH

    Horsepower is cheaper than therapy.
     
    KHanawalt, Oct 13, 2004
    #7
  8. DJ SIEGE

    DJ SIEGE Guest

    (KHanawalt) wrote in
    Well, I did'nt listen.
    I went to visit a friend ,and on the way home from my friends house
    about 2 cities away from home the car starts to sputter a bit then the
    dash lights started dimming, then no headlights.
    Car barely running I made it to the front of my grandparents house and
    left it there (it would'nt restart) Hell, I was lucky to make it home at
    2 in the morning without seeing 1 cop car.
    Anyway, the worst happened, so any info on what I should do from here is
    again appreciated.
     
    DJ SIEGE, Oct 13, 2004
    #8
  9. DJ SIEGE

    DJ SIEGE Guest

    Looks like the wire on the back of the alternator is just falling apart.
    if I replace the wire looks like it should work again.
    What kind of wire should I use.
     
    DJ SIEGE, Oct 13, 2004
    #9
  10. DJ SIEGE

    G Klein Guest

    Use the same type of wire you will have to cut the harness outer casing down
    to find a good piece to splice in to as I said before if the small wire is
    not attached or not in good shape the alternator will not charge
    Glenn

    --
    "*-344-*Never Forgotten"
    Is for the New York City Firemen who lost their lives on September 11,2001.
    The official count is 343, but there was also a volunteer who lost his life
    aiding in the initial rescue efforts. And I will never forget them as long
    as I live,
    nor should any American.
    "Mow Green"
     
    G Klein, Oct 14, 2004
    #10
  11. DJ SIEGE

    DJ SIEGE Guest

    Well since you mentioned splicing wires, I might just get a new alternator.
    Because splicing wires would probably lead to problems in the future.
    Right?
     
    DJ SIEGE, Oct 14, 2004
    #11
  12. DJ SIEGE

    G Klein Guest

    No even if you purchase a alternator you will still have to either repair
    the wire or breakdown & purchase the engine wiring harness which is not
    cheap I had the same problem on my Volvo as I stated just cut the outer
    casing down until the dried wire is now soft & pliable just cut & splice
    either with a solderless connector or solder & tape
    Glenn

    --
    "*-344-*Never Forgotten"
    Is for the New York City Firemen who lost their lives on September 11,2001.
    The official count is 343, but there was also a volunteer who lost his life
    aiding in the initial rescue efforts. And I will never forget them as long
    as I live,
    nor should any American.
    "Mow Green"
     
    G Klein, Oct 14, 2004
    #12
  13. DJ SIEGE

    DJ SIEGE Guest

    Ok, I'll try that.
    And thank you.
     
    DJ SIEGE, Oct 14, 2004
    #13
  14. DJ SIEGE

    G Klein Guest

    Your Welcome

    --
    "*-344-*Never Forgotten"
    Is for the New York City Firemen who lost their lives on September 11,2001.
    The official count is 343, but there was also a volunteer who lost his life
    aiding in the initial rescue efforts. And I will never forget them as long
    as I live,
    nor should any American.
    "Mow Green"
     
    G Klein, Oct 15, 2004
    #14
  15. DJ SIEGE

    DJ SIEGE Guest

    The wires are coroded badly.
    Should I use anything to clean the wire to make the best connection at the
    splice?
    If so, what's a good grime cleaner?
     
    DJ SIEGE, Oct 15, 2004
    #15
  16. DJ SIEGE

    G Klein Guest

    There really is not anything that i know of to do that what I have done on
    my own car is to follow the wire down to were it is in good shape then
    splice there
    Glenn

    --
    "*-344-*Never Forgotten"
    Is for the New York City Firemen who lost their lives on September 11,2001.
    The official count is 343, but there was also a volunteer who lost his life
    aiding in the initial rescue efforts. And I will never forget them as long
    as I live,
    nor should any American.
    "Mow Green"
     
    G Klein, Oct 16, 2004
    #16
  17. DJ SIEGE

    James Sweet Guest

    How's the engine wiring harness? It's notorious for falling apart on a few
    years, including your '86. I had to patch up the harness on my mom's '86
    until I have time to replace it, insulation was crumbling off all over.
     
    James Sweet, Oct 16, 2004
    #17
  18. DJ SIEGE

    James Sweet Guest

    How many miles are on the car? The voltage regulators (integral to the brush
    pack) tend to wear out after 150-200k miles, you'll get the same problem,
    intermittant charging followed by complete failure. Removal is a breeze,
    installing the new one can be a bit tricky with the angle but it's only two
    screws in the back of the alternator. Don't force it as the plastic casing
    can break.
     
    James Sweet, Oct 16, 2004
    #18
  19. DJ SIEGE

    James Sweet Guest

    No, a new alternator won't stop you from having to splice wires. I've never
    had an alternator actually fail, usually it's just the regulator, it's a $40
    part, as opposed to $200-$300 for a whole alternator.
     
    James Sweet, Oct 16, 2004
    #19
  20. DJ SIEGE

    DJ SIEGE Guest

    Yes the insulation on the wire to the OPS is completely gone and the
    wire was destroyed from time.
    Now I need to find the small push clip and the metal connector to go in
    the OPS. The one I took out fell apart in my hand. (I wish I could show
    a picture of the part, Is that allowed here?)
    I have 14 gauge wire and my soldering gun, but I need a new clip to the
    OPS. the small metal clip won't reopen for me to connect the wire
    properly.
    Anyone have any Idea where I might find The Part to clip the wire in to
    the OPS?
     
    DJ SIEGE, Oct 17, 2004
    #20
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