Hello,
I test drove a 1994 940 turbo saloon and it drove well and the turbo worked fine. It has the B200FT engine with 143,000 miles on the clock and does not smoke and runs sweet.

The bad bits are:

Centre child seat/booster cushion is down and will not fold up into the backrest even though operating the lever. How would I fix this?

The ABS light is on all the time and the abs brakes are not operational as the vehicle skids/screeches in an emergency stop. What could the fault be?

I am in the UK and it is being advertised for £395.00 and the dealer said I could buy it for £375.00 but I added up the parts and without fixing the ABS brakes I would need to spend a further £100.00 on parts eg exhaust back box/front brake pads and a new boot key as dealer snapped the key but it is not broken in the lock. Are the 1994 models good and what are their faults/weaknesses? Many thanks KYLE123.

Greetings,

Purchased my '94 940 Turbo new. I am in the USA. The turbo is a Mitsubishi. The car has 105k-miles and is going strong. Two symptoms right now are oil use of about a quart in 2500 miles (no smoke apparent, turbo??), and a rattle somewhere in the back (might need a transmission mount).

The car has had regular maintenance: exhaust, battery, tires, belts, brakes etc. At 85 to 95k-miles I did the shocks-struts, suspension bushings, water pump, front engine shaft seals and a few other things because I knew I was going to keep the car for several more years. The only real extraordinary expense was the AC condensor coil had to be replaced three years ago due to corrosion.

Last fall had what I would consider a "breakdown" that took the car off the road. The Bulk Check Relay failed (break lights did not work, big safety issue). A new relay at $55 and about an hour labor fixed that.

Mike

Not sure about the B200FT, but the B230FT used in the last 2 yrs of 940T production was the best 4 cyl turbo that Volvo ever made, stronger than earlier models. I would think the same upgraded crankshaft and oil squirters were used on the B200FT, but not absolutely sure.
--
'89 245 Sportwagon, '04 V70 2.5T Sportwagon

Hello Thanks for your post.
It certainly sounds a possibility about the upgraded crankshaft and oil squirters may be fitted to the B200FT.
Is the rear suspension standard springs and shock absorbers or some other expensive item if it needed replacement?
Anyone got any ideas with regard to fixing the seat and ABS as if I can fix these items cheaply I may well buy it. Thanks KYLE123.

Dear Kyle123,

Good a.m. and may this find you well. On the 1994 Volvos, there are On Board Diagnostic (OBD) units. These are mounted under the bonnet, on the leading edge of the strut tower, on the passenger side of the engine bay (UK model). You should see two small rectangular boxes (about 40mm long).

The covers of these boxes lift off. On the side of one of boxes - that closest to the engine - you'll see the wire, that leads to a probe tip. Pull the probe tip gently from the holder, and insert it into the "A3" opening. Put the key in the ignition, and turn it to "ON" (the warning lights at the bottom of the instrument cluster will light-up). There's no need to start the car.

Go back under the bonnet. and Press the button on OBD Block A. Wait 1-2 seconds and release. The indicator light will blink. If it goes blink - blink - blink (= 1,1,1), then all is well. Because you know the ABS System is not working, the indicator light will give you a series of blinks. Write down the number of blinks in each of the three groups, e.g., blink / blink, blink / blink, blink, blink ( = 1,2,3 = left rear wheel sensor, circuit fault below 40 KmH).

Under FEATURES above, you will find the FAQs. Within the FAQs, you'll find the most common OBD Codes, and their meaning. Once you have these codes, you'll pretty much know what's amiss with the ABS System.

You should pull the codes for the other systems. You should also get the maintenance records. They may be in the car, or the dealer may have them. If the oil was not changed regularly, I'd avoid the car.

See if the timing belt was changed at the recommended interval (likely 100,000k miles / 160K Km).

Hope this helps.

Yours faithfully,

spook

Hello Spook,
Many thanks for your very informative post. I now know how to read the OBD codes and have saved your post in my favourites. I had a read of the facts on ABS brakes and found a lot of problems were dirt on the wheel sensors and blown fuses and relays. I may have another look at the car Monday if the dealer has still got it and have a look at the service history as the dealer said it has a big wad of it but I forgot to look at it. If he hasnt sold it over the weekend and the oil has been changed regularly I may be more inclined to buy it. Is the B200FT engine interference? What turbo model was fitted to this year?
Many thanks KYLE.

Dear Kyle,

Good p.m. and may this find you well. I infer from the fact, that the B200 and B230 engines use the same head (Volvo Pocket Data booklet - Cars: 700,850,900 󞩷-1996], p. 19) and the same valves (tappets), that the B200 is a non-interference engine.

In the above-cited source, the turbo performance specs are set forth, but the brand of Turbo is not specified.

Keep us posted on your progress.

Yours faithfully,

spook

Hello Spook,
Thanks for your post nice to know the B200FT is non interference. I will keep you posted on progress. I am going to look at a 1991 940 2.3 turbo estate that is advertised for sale near me. Thanks. KYLE

Hello,
Just to update you on progress. The 1991 940 turbo estate was worse that the 94 saloon. The estate was really scruffy and the engine was rattly and tired. There was a coolant stain all over the engine bay and there was also no water in the reservoir. It hadn't been looked after at all and was definately one to avoid. I phoned the dealer a day ago on the 94 saloon and asked if he would throw in the key for the £375.00 but he said it owed him £400.00 and I thought too much needed doing. As my 740 is much nicer and is running nice and smoothly at the moment (I have done 60 miles in it since) I am going to keep it until it totally dies. It has got a slight rattle under the bonnet but goes fine, my dad thought it could of got starved of oil for the camshaft and that is why it played up or an exhaust valve stuck.
Thank you all for your very usefull advise. KYLE.