Hello, my wife really wants this 89 240 dl sedan. It sounds like a good deal, but I don't know that much about the different volvos yet ( we have an 85 wagon and boy am I learning!). I know that when the timing belt in the 85 wagon blew I was told by the tow driver that I was so lucky to have a non interference engine so that it didn't take everything down with it - what are the "good" years for that? And does anyone have advice about the 89 240 dls? the engine is listed as being "2.3L I4 SOHC 8V FI Engine "

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Thanks everyone! Matt in Maine 85' 240 wagon

A 1989 240 does not necessarily have a bad ECU (as far as I know). I have not had any problems with mine, though I suppose my parents could have replaced the ECU sometime in the 1990s before I became "aware" of the car. From reading on here, I gather that the switch to "good" ECUs was made sometime during the 1989 model year.

Supposedly the 1988 240 is the penultimate 240. The advantage the 1989 models have over 1988 is the addition of rear headrests (a comfort for rear passengers and a safety feature in the event of a rear-end collision). The disadvantage was the switch to "LH-Jetronic version 2.4," which removed adjustable timing. I personally prefer the '89 model year and think the headrests make it a better year than the '88, but it's not that huge of a difference.
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'89 244 GL -- 111,X080 miles (see profile for info on car)

All good posts.

I have an '89 200 dl sedan. Bought it new. has 250k+
I hear the ECU ('561) is suseptible to crapping out. I have a spare buy have never needed it.

The bad wiring harness was cured by then. I think it is one of the better years.

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'75 Jeep CJ5 345Hp ChevyPwrd, two motorcycles, '85 Pickup: The '89 Volvo is the newest vehicle I own. it wasn't Volvos safety , it was Longevity that sold me

We have 2 '89 DL wagons. Great cars, both.
'89 onward has an RPM sensor located on top of transmission.
When wire to it fails due to wear, car won't start.

Wire threads rearward from engine compartment. I've never seen it myself.
Repair is a reasonable job for a Volvo-specializing mechanic. A pain otherwise.
Have the wire looked at once in a while, maybe catch it before it catches you.
Sensor itself is nearly invisible, so I wouldn't chase after it unless the car quits.
But it's probably worthwhile to try to get a look at the wire.

It is a non-interference engine. The Fuel Injection system should may be the difference in your vehicles...
see this info from Volvoworld website www.vlvworld.com
engine info

You are fortunate in that it is not an '86 or '87 which have the rotting wire harnesses.
Good Luck
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Happy Motoring! 86' 244 "Grey Mare" '87 245 "Grasshopper"

The '89 240 is a non interference engine. The Haynes manual is wrong about it being an interference engine.

The "89 came with a 561 ECU that is know to fail. There are several ECUs that will work but the 951 seems to be the standard replacement for it. I have used a 556, 561, 951 and a 571 and they all seem to work fine. Here is a list that can help. Big ECU List.

The 89 has most of the standard "Volvo" quirks but they don't seem to have the junk wiring that the earlier models have. The OD relay and solenoid seem to be a pretty standard issue as does the temp and fuel gauges (all easily fixed).

The one thing you have going for you with the Volvo that you don't find with any other car is this board ----- it's a fantastic asset.

Good luck,
Tony T
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Tony Turner 89 Volvo 240DL 257K, 92 Jeep Cherokee 250K, 93 Jeep Grand Cherokee 215K, 1980 Mercedes 240D 360K

I have recently learned that just because an engine is non-interference doesn't mean it can't be damaged if the timing belt snaps. At the moment the camshaft starts to run independently of the crankshaft, cylinders can fire completely out of sync with the valves. It is possible for an explosion to occur when the valves are open, and the shock can bend them or even damage the rest of the valve gear.
So apart from the inconvenience of a belt breaking, it still makes sense to replace at the proper intervals, or on aquisition if you don't know when it was last changed.