after a rear-end impact that actually bent the frame of my 1990 740 wagon, I opted to trade it off to the dealer for something "unbent" - a nice 1995 940 Wagon, however, it has a couple of problems.

(1) Fuel Gauge reads empty (when tank is full), warning light on.
I've read the FAQ regarding the Fuel Gauge problems, but I'm not sure what to think about the warning light being on. Does it mean anything at all? Does it suggest that the gauge is fine, but the sender is at fault? I haven't tried anything yet. I'm not great with diagnosing wiring so I hope it's just a loose conenction... Does that light indicate anything that hints at a diagnosis?

(2) Most of my dashboard/interior lights are out, except for the glovebox, doors, overhead, and instrument display... I have a hard time beliving that my shifter lights and the all the switch backlights are burned out. Is there a single circuit that connects these, but not the instrument display? The dimmer-slider works, all the switches work, and the actual on-off indicators on the switches work. It's just kind of dark in the car at night. Also, there's no backlight on the outside temp gauge - is that normal?

(3) My bulb-failure light is on, I've read the FAQs on that as well, but I'm wondering if my front floods have anything to do with it? This car's left lower flood was smashed off before I bought it. The right one still works. However, the failure light is on regardless of any whether the floods are on or off.


Any suggestions/ideas would be welcome.
Thanks,

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Volvo #4
145,245,740,940...what's next?

Hello RepairmanJack; Congrats on the new wagon! My 940's fuel gauge in tank sender unit 'sticks' after a while and will do the same thing. I add a half dose of Lucas UCL treatment to about three tank fulls and it clears up. I am waiting to do a real repair, probably sender replacement, when the in tank pump starts to fail and kill two birds with one repair.
Check all of the fuses carefully for the light problem. If not, it could be burnt bulbs, I have had a lot of them replaced. Some of them are kind of wacky too. A bulb permanently mounted in a plastic holder, and hard to find. I got my supply on eBay from 4Volvos, who also posts here. Yes there is a lightbulb behind the temp gauge, I just relaced mine.
Don't know if a bad front flood ( fog?) will set off the bulb out light.
You may have to pull all of your lightbulbs to see if they are matched pairs per side. The bulb failure gizmo looks at differing current levels per side, so even a bulb from a different pack or manufacturer can set it off.
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'94 940 na Regina 150k, '86 240 180k, 93 Camry 5sp 245k, 88 Toy 4wd 166k

Thanks Summerduckman,

What is this "Lucas UCL"? Is it like STP, or somethign similar? I'm not sure if I've seen it around here.

I had the car into the dealer this morning to finish the safety inspection, and they fixed the light-out warning - probabaly by replacing the bulbs, dunno...

They spent a hour or so on the fuel gauge and feel reasonably sure that it's the sender at fault - though they said if they were going to take the tank down to check it, they might as well do the replacement. I'm not sure whether is was just sticking or if it failed a while ago - I only bought the car last night, so I don't have much history on it.

Since the fuel gauge was busted, but nobody noticed it at the time of sale (yesterday) they said that they'd fix it for me for cost ~150.00 (plus labor, I guess). I read up on the sender-repairs and it sounds rather challenging for someone of my minimal electrical skills - so maybe this is a better bet?
Does anyone know of reliable sources for rebuilt senders, or aftermarket replacements?


As far as the dash lights (non-instrument) I didn't get to check the fuses yet, but I'm off to do that now.

Thanks,



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Volvo #6: all wagons.... 1972 145S, 1976 245 DL, 1983 245 GL, 1986 740 GLE, 1990 740 GL, now a 1995 940...What's Next?