i have just recently purchased a 1986 240 DL wagon. i noticed there is an orange arrow (pointing up) that is lit up and on the dash instrument panel. if anyone knows what this signifies and if it indicates a problem i would appreciate any and all posts! thanks

on an auto that's the "overdrive off" light.. there is a little

button on the gear selector's left side.. push it, does the light

turn off? good, you want overdrive ;-).

on the manual it's the "S.I.L, shift indicator light". it will

light up when you should be upshifting. the manual for your car

is online at volvocars.com, you should read about it there.

Now, here's an orange light symptom on my 84 245 GLTi w/AW71...

In certain conditions the orange light will come on and stay on, regardless of whether 4th/OD is engaged or not. Appears to be temperature sensitive -- when it's warmer (engine warmed up/heater on) the light will usually stay continuosly on as desribed.

Now, here is the real baffler: The OD works fine and will engage/disengage while the orange light always stays on. Also, when OD is ON, engine will shut off when ignition key is turned to off; OD relay in the dash will make a buzzing sound. When OD is selected OFF with the shifter switch (while light always on) and the ignition key is turned off, the engine will keep running!!

Any ideas?

Thanks, Robert

84 245 GLTi

According to my user manual:

(if you have a std tranny)

This is a "fuel consumption helper". If you shift when it glows up, you will obtain the best mileage with your car. It will also making you running in third gear at 35km/h...

For me, I disconnected it.

Some of the 240's were fitted with a light to show you when to change up a gear. I am quite sure this was an arrow among the other idiot lights. If your car is a manual, this is most likely what it would be. If your car is an auto, it must be what the other fellow wrote. Cheers.

The button on the gear shift lever locks out 4th gear if pushed. The relay behind the dash pulls in, lighting the orange arrow on the dash, and energizing the solenoid on the transmission causing a down shift to third gear.