1991 volvo 240 update

still very cold here. Attempted to jump start. Actually got the car
to start, twice, but again the engine killed.
I don't know what is happening. It could be the battery, the
alternator, the starter, something else! MAny things at once.

Now the car won't respond to jumps again...

 

If it doesn't even turn over, then the problem has to be something simple.
Check the battery cables, chassis ground connections, check for voltage at
the starter, there just aren't that many components involved.

 

I have been having some similar problems with my 1990 740 GL wagon.
Here in
Minnesota it has been VERY cold! A few people have told me about the
gasoline
possibly "gelling" in the fuel filter, which seems to be a fairly
common problem up
here. One Volvo "mechanic" told me the cold start switch could be
bad? All I know
is if I plug it up to a block heater at night I don't have any
problems. Good luck!
jimmy

 

One known problem with aging 240s is the ignition switch. A bit of a
pain to replace, but not beyond the shade tree mechanic. See this site
for info on the job http://volvo2.homestead.com/Ignlock.html

 

Have you tried changing the little black box, for the EFI and electronic
ignition , I had this problem on my 1989 245. Changed black box all ended up
being good.