This past week I started having a problem with the battery being dead when I go to start the car. This is after it sits for less than two days. I have had to jump start it three times this past week. I generally only drive it a few days a week.

Using a DMM I was able to track the problem down to the circuits connected to fuse number 8. Removing the fuse and bridging the connectors with the ammeter I get .92A! Key off, of course. Yesterday (after jump-starting the car) I removed fuse 8. This morning it starts right up.

Not sure where to go from here. Bentley says fuse 8 includes the following circuits: electric antenna (don't have one), interior light, trunk light, engine compartment light, clock, central locks, glove box light, radio (never use it). AFAIK all those things work properly.

I have been working on the fuel pumps and tail lights recently - can't see any way they might be related.

I find reading the circuit diagrams in Bentley difficult. And I don't really know where to start looking.

Any tips?

Thanks,
Keith
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1991 240 Sedan B230F LH3.1 M47 300K miles

Hey Keith,

This is classic, and there might be a hundred threads on it stored on Jarrod's site.

#1 cause is rotten wires on the key lock or button lock switch in the door holding in the lock or unlock relay. Eliminate by disconnecting the plug above your left knee shown below.

#2 is a faulty courtesy light delay relay, if you have one. A little harder to locate and pull.

Checking these two items is an easy shortcut, easier than snipping the doubly-crimped green wires on fuse 8 in an attempt to track the drain -- well, easier than putting them back together.





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Art Benstein near Baltimore

"Why don't sheep shrink when it rains? Lanolin. This oil causes sheep to shed water. This water-tolerance explains why sheep do well as hydraulic rams." -Spook

Thanks much Art. Your photos are always helpful as well.

I unplugged the connector per your photo #1 and it makes no change in the drain. Tested the door locks to make sure it was the correct connector.

I can't find the relay you are refering to in photo #2. I'm under the dash with a flashlight and the only relay I find is the white squarish one marked 1324675, which I believe is for the rear defrost.There's a black squarish one on the right side.

I did some additional searching and it appears that the relay you are refering to is also the one that controls the dome light? Bentley calls it "167 interior light time delay relay"?

Anyway, I can't find it.... any more tips?

Keith
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1991 240 Sedan B230F LH3.1 M47 300K miles

You may not have one. At one time it was an "extra."

If you do have one, you may remember the courtesy lamp remaining on after you exit the car. I say remember, because when it draws current continuously it no longer provides the delay function.

On mine it is clipped to the brake pedal box on the left side. You'll recognize it as the only thing in a Volvo that so closely resembles a fluorescent lamp starter.

Assume you've eliminated the obvious loads like trunk/cargo lamp, under hood lamp, or any aftermarket gizmos added to fuse 8. Radio presets are maintained through this one.

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Art Benstein near Baltimore

It's always darkest before dawn. So if you're going to steal your neighbor's newspaper, that's the time to do it.

Well, after more fooling around, I'm not having the problem of a big drain anymore. Measuring the current with the ammeter between the battery ground and the neg battery terminal gives me a pulsing 40-50mA now (I pressume the clock). Looking around on the BB I see that may be a bit high, but not greatly.

So, an intermittent problem that has been changed by removing and replacing the relay? Hmmm... Maybe I should just replace the delay relay ($15) then see what kind of problem persists....

Keith
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1991 240 Sedan B230F LH3.1 M47 300K miles

I kind of hate to ask the obvious question, but since you're doing all this checking with, presumably, the driver's door open... is some of that draw from the domelight being on?

With the relay pulled it may now be disabled which explains the drop in draw observed... but I think you'd know about it if that was staying on after you close up and walk away from the car.

I'd look at the trunk light switch - may just be way out of adjustment and it's turning on instead of turning off when the trunk closes. Then again I can't remember if the 91 has the pushbutton or the rotary switch style.

Good excuse anyway for climbing in the trunk and closing it on yourself...
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~ 92 244 M47 modified ~ 89 244GLT Turbo Conversion ~ 90 745T Auto ~ And a VW Bus~

Hi Art-

OK, I just found it, right where you said. It was hard to see because it was up higher than I anticipated, and the black wrapping.

I pulled it, but doing so only reduced my drain to 700mA... what does that suggest?

Keith
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1991 240 Sedan B230F LH3.1 M47 300K miles

Does your Glove box close OK?
The Glovebox latches get iffy so if your box is hanging a bit, maybe your Glovebox is staying lit.

--
'75 Jeep CJ5 345Hp ChevyPwrd, two motorcycles, '85 Pickup: The '89 Volvo is the newest vehicle I own. it wasn't Volvos safety , it was Longevity that sold me http://home.lyse.net/brox/TonyPage4.html http://cleanflametrap.com/tony/

Hi Tony-

In case you didn't see my other response to Art-

After more fooling around, I'm not having the problem of a big drain anymore. Measuring the current with the ammeter between the battery ground and the neg battery terminal gives me a pulsing 40-50mA now (I pressume the clock). Looking around on the BB I see that may be a bit high, but not greatly.

So, an intermittent problem that has been changed by removing and replacing the relay? Hmmm... Maybe I should just replace the delay relay ($15) then see what kind of problem persists....

Keith
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1991 240 Sedan B230F LH3.1 M47 300K miles

The last I read, you were down to 700ma.. that's still High.

40-50ma still sounds a bit high for just a clock...Although I never checked. MUCH BETTER then what you had.


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'75 Jeep CJ5 345Hp ChevyPwrd, two motorcycles, '85 Pickup: The '89 Volvo is the newest vehicle I own. it wasn't Volvos safety , it was Longevity that sold me http://home.lyse.net/brox/TonyPage4.html http://cleanflametrap.com/tony/

BTW- it's a Sylvania TR2029.

Keith
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1991 240 Sedan B230F LH3.1 M47 300K miles