Can anyone give information on how to isolate a speedometer / odometer problem on a 240? I have taken the instrument cluster out and all wires have a good connection. There is not a cable form the trans to the speedometer. Does this mean that an electronic signal operates the analog speedometer/odometer? Can I test the speedometer wires for current with a volt ohm meter? If so, what will I see on the VOM as speed increases? The spedometer didn't give any indications that there was a problem, no eratic readings or anything. One minute it was working, the next is was on 0 with no movement.

Any Ideas? THANKS!!

I really feel for you .
i have a 93 240 with the same problem.
mine stopped working last fall, and have been looking around for another,,,
so far no luck.
yes it is an electonic speedometer/odometer, there are two small electic motors in the gauge, and as far as i know once they go, they go.
my speedometer works fine, but the odometer is OOC, at 159k.
volvodr@msn.com - this guy may be able to help.
good luck.
Rich

Lazy man's speedo fix.

On my 1986 244GL, the odo is broke, was broke when I got the car. The speedo however, is another random problem.

It would quit, then run OK for days. Then quit - with no apparent cause.

I decided that the connections of the wires onto the speedo unit maybe had some oxide on them. Perhaps a slight jar would break the oxide.

So when it quite running, a slap to the dashboard above the speedo always works. Zero to 40 in 1/2 second!.

Whenever I have to pull the instrument cluster for some other reason, like installing a new odo gear, I will clean and dielectric those connections.

Good Luck,

Bob

:>)

Thanks for the good info Bob! Can you tell me if there is a gear common to both the odo and speedo that bight be broken? If there is, can it be replaced?

IF, and only IF the odometer has quit, then it's likely to be a failed plastic gear inside. Eric's page, mentioned in the thread *just* below this one, has a lot of info about that repair.
But if BOTH the odometer and speedometer have stopped, then you need to inspect connections in the rear of the car. There's a grey wiring harness running through your trunk or below the cargo floor in a wagon. There's a plug on the left side of the car with the speedo sensor wires in it. This may have come unplugged part way, and that's enough to break connection. The speedo sensor also might have come unplugged on the differential cover. You can see this if you jack up the rear of the car SECURELY and get under it from the back. It's the only connection to the axle.
Also, it could be a total speedometer failure. I'd try in that case to get another speedo or instrument cluster from a junkyard or Volvo specialty repair shop. A lot of them hang onto these units from cars they junk.
--
Rob Bareiss, New London CT ::: '87 244DL/M47- 229K, 88 744GLE- 218K, 82 245T-181K Also responsible for the care and feeding of: 88 745GLE, 231K, 87 244DL, 239K, 88 245DL, 246K

Thanks for the great info. If it is the plastic gear inside the speedo, can it (the gear) be replaced or does the entire instrument cluster need to be replaced?