You know, when I first read this I had in my head that this car was like the 83-84 models, which are rather specific to those years. But 1985 is actually the first year for the newer B230F engine, which was used through the end of production. And it's the first year for the newer (but not latest) generation of fuel injection, Bosch LH-Jetronic 2.2. (Usually abbreviated here, LH2.2).

The car shares nearly every connection under the hood with the 1986, 87, and 88 models. Chances are that virtually every component is good, and the car simply has the predictable crumbling wire insulation that affected almost all Volvos until 1987/88 timeframe.

Have a look at, for instance, the connector for your Air Mass Meter. This is a black or silver cylinder mounted on a bracket on the driver's side inner front fender, in line with the big black hose for the air filter. More or less right behind the battery. You'll find a single plug going to it, with a silver spring-wire locking it in place. (That's called a bail, by the way). You squeeze the wire and the connector releases, and you can just pull it off. You'll see that the end of it has 6 pins, and that it's "keyed"- it has tabs or detents that only permit it to be plugged in one way. Most of the connections on the car are like this. Now plug it back in and make sure it snaps into place. Do this test with the key OFF, by the way.

Yes, there are quite a few connections to make, but it's a dozen, not hundreds. Nearly everything will just line up with it's destination. A few connections are different, and a few will require some extra disassembly. For instance, you'll have to have a few pieces apart in the area of the intake manifold. You'll need to get under the front of the engine, because the ignition and alternator wiring runs under there (a very bad idea, but we 240 owners are stuck with it). 2 clamps secure the wiring under the front engine pulleys and things tend to be filthy in that neighborhood.

There's a large plug to remove at the ignition computer, RF corner of the car. Also a white tube for vacuum, not a big deal. There are screwed-on connections to the alternator that require some care to remove with a wrench. You'll have to disconnect the battery in any case, probably remove it just for better access. The big grey 8=pin plug at the firewall is the source of many of the troubled wires- it needs to be unplugged. The driver's side of it is almost always ok, it's just the engine side that deteriorates.

You'll have to remove the large harness going to the fuel injection computer. This is the large bundle of wires entering the firewall under the windshield wiper motor. Inside the car, on the side panel under your glovebox, you'll find this large plug and the computer. It looks kinda scary but it's held in with a big clip, and just snaps into place. The whole rubber grommet pulls out of the firewall when removing it.

One part of the job that's a little tough is pulling everything through the space in the intake manifold. All the wires from the fuel injectors, everything up to the coil and down to the ignition computer has to pull through this. Space is a big tight and it can be a little frustrating to get all the wires to cooperate. But patience will pay off.

I would try to find a junkyard source for this harness, or perhaps someone selling parts from a 1987 or 88 240. I bet you can find one for $50 in "good used" condition. IPD would be a great place to start, for you due to proximity. They also have free classified ad listings on their website, www.ipdusa.com.

Good luck with this project, whichever way you go with it.



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::: Rob Bareiss, New London CT ::: 92 244 M47 212K ::: 90 745GL M47 275K ::: 90 745T AW71 213K ::: 90 745T Parts Car ::: 88 245DL SOLD! ::: 84 242DL Project ::: 70 VW Bus ::: 70 VW Pickup Project ::: 71 VW Notchback :::