So I brought my new-to-me 1990 240DL (135,000 miles) home Friday. Boy, it ran great! It was running great on Saturday, when, as I approached an intersection, it died.

I've read all the posts about the ECU. My ECU ends with 561. But how do I know if it's the culprit?

Ha. I've owned a Volvo for all of two days and here I am, looking for answers with my car a mile away, parked at a curb.

Lordy indeed.

As Art and the others noted, there are several things to check.

I'd start with spark: I pull off the coil wire from the distributor cap end, and tuck it in by the left hood hinge. That way I can see the end as I crank the engine over. Don't set it so it touches metal, but rather try to leave a 1/8 in. gap to the car body. Crank engine, got spark?

If no spark, plan on replacing the crank sensor. It is *possible* that wiggling wires that go behind the head may help it out and at least get you out of the road, if not also to work on Monday morning. Either way, that's a good item to replace soon even if it's not the problem today.

If there is spark, good. You still need to check the timing belt on this car, because the crank-triggered ignition can make spark even with a bad cam belt. Look in the oil cap while someone cranks the engine to see the cam turn.

Next I'd suspect the fuel pump relay. You could jumper from fuse 4 to 6 on the fuseblock to force the fuel pumps to run- if that works, but it doesn't run with that removed, then definitely replace (or resolder) the fuel pump relay. PN is 3523608 if needed. They have date codes on them, replace anyway if it's over about 6 years.

The 561 computer on these cars can be a problem. Again, jumpering the fuses can get you around the likely failure mode of the fuel computer. Look for a "REMAN" 561 or a newer 951 unit to replace yours, or keep as a spare.

Good luck!
--
Rob Bareiss, New London CT ::: Roterande Fläkt Och Drivremmar!

IT could be the ECU but take a look at the the Fuel pump relay first, Take a jumper and jump the fuses on the left side for both fuel pumps. If it runs resolder the board on the relay or replace it.

If it's not that determine if you have spark and fuel. No spark ccould be the crank position sensor. It could be the ECU, it won't hurt to get a cheap good one to have on hand for trouble shooting and as a spare. Dan

I warned you. This is only the begining.

Thanks. Lina. I feel your good vibes all the way in Texas.

Dear Lordy,

Which intersection? Did you approach from the North or West?

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Art Benstein near Baltimore

East, actually. Does that mean it will start in the morning?

Dear Lordy,

I think it does. That is good news.

Two problems to overcome first. The morning will arrive an hour late and your first attempt to fix will force you to stand on the traffic side of your car (facing North of course).

A dead car.

Does it crank (make rrrr--rrrr noises while you attempt to start it)?

Does the cam turn? (Remove oil cap, look in while assistant cranks)

Well, because you were approaching the intersection from the East, I'd say it is just your wiring where the 25A fuse supplies the fuel injection and ignition computer -- the one near the battery.

If you had been approaching from the North or West, it would certainly be the timing belt or -561 ECU. An intersection approached from the South usually stimulates a fuel pump relay overheat and open. Failure to run after the intersection is cleared is always the same regardless of the direction of travel: AMM failure.

Glad it was only a mile away, not a bad walk. Take a wrench to remove a spark plug so you can test spark. If the fuel pump relay is suspect, give it a sharp rap (located above passenger's feet in a white box). First time you turn the key (assuming it isn't stone cold dead as in no battery) listen for a short run of the fuel pump.

But, if I'm right about the 25A fuse circuit, be prepared to clean up any corrosion on that red wire and the fuse holder next to the battery.

Best-
--
Art Benstein near Baltimore

Lawdy!

Sure was a good thing they weren't approaching SouthWest id'n it?!?!

Heh, I really apreciate yur sense of humor Art. And somehow ya still manage to get good advice out ther......... go figure! lol

Happy Brickslinging,
Frank

AB near BMD,

Thanks for the thoughtful help. Far more constructive than the "told-you-so" garbage from so-and-so.

I'll check through your list in the morning and report dutifully back.

One thing: If I get the car towed and the nose ends up pointing to the northwest, as it would in my driveway, does that mean I should've bought the Audi instead?

Lordy

Dear Lordy,

I can see that your sense of humor has not been stranded along with your newly acquired 240. I should let you know I claim three 240s as my own, and care for an additional five of them driven by wife and daughters plus one oddball 940 MIL vehicle. I have an auto club membership, not triple-A, but it is one who definitely lost the gamble on my $45 annual fee. Just for safety's sake, I can recommend you get it towed if indeed it is on the main drag.

A couple years ago I drove an Audi - an 8 cyl with a manual tranny - just a few miles. It belongs to someone as enthused about them as we are about RWD bricks. Unfortunately, that short experience doesn't qualify me to speak one way or another about your choice. I suspect the help for DIY is better here.
--
Art Benstein near Baltimore