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Volvo 1990 240 Model
Note: Remove foot completely from the clutch pedal after each gear chang\
e when programming the
control unit.
pg. 44 Starting the engine
To start the engine;
1 Enter the car and check that the seat is adjusted properly. Make sure \
that the brake (and clutch) pedal
can be depressed completely. Move the seat closer if necessary.
2 Fasten the seat belt.
3 Apply the parking brake if not already set. Depress the brake pedal wi\
th your right foot.
4 Place the gear selector lever in neutral (position N or P, automatic \
transmission).
5 Depress the clutch pedal (manual transmission).
6 Without touching the accelerator pedal turn the ignition key to starti\
ng position. Release the key as
soon as the engine starts.
Avoid repeated short attempts to start (fuel is injected every time the\
starter is engaged when engine is
cold).
Allow the starter to operate for a longer time (but not more than 15-20\
seconds).
Do not race a cold engine immediately starting.
Engine warm-up-initial driving procedure
Experience shows that engines in vehicles driven short distances are sub\
ject to abnormally rapid wear
because the engine never reaches normal operating temperature.
It is therefore beneficial to reach normal operating temperature as soon\
as possible by driving with a
light foot on the accelerator pedal.
Warning: Always open the garage doors fully before starting the engine i\
nside the garage to ensure
adequate ventilation. The exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, which i\
s invisible and odorless but
very poisonous.
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Volvo 1990 240 Model
1. Enter the car and check that the seat is adjusted properly. Make sure\
that the brake pedal can be
depressed completely. Move the seat closer if necessary.
2. Fasten the seat belt.
3. Apply the parking brake if not already set. Depress the brake pedal w\
ith your right foot.
4. Place the gear selector in Park (or neutral).
5. Without touching the accelerator pedal, turn the ignition key to the \
starting position. Release the key
as soon as the engine starts.
6. Select the desired gear. There is a slight delay before the gear enga\
ges which is most notable when
selecting Reverse. Do not accelerate until you have felt the gear engage\
!
Note: Too-rapid acceleration immediately after selecting a gear will cau\
se harsh engagement and
premature transmission wear.
7. Release parking brake, then foot brake, and accelerate. To stop the c\
ar release the accelerator and
apply the brakes with your right foot.
It is not necessary to move the gear selector as the transmission will d\
ownshift automatically.
When idling for extended periods of time, select position N to prevent u\
nnecessary heating of the
transmission.
WARNING! Always place gear selector in Park and apply parking brake befo\
re leaving vehicle. Never
leave car unattended with engine running.
pg. 48 Emergency towing (pulling)
Front eyelet Rear eyelet
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Volvo 1990 240 Model
pg. 52 Catalytic Converter
Catalytic Converter Cautions
l Keep your engine properly tuned. Certain engine malfunctions, particular\
ly involving the electrical,
fuel or ignition systems, may cause unusually high converter temperature\
s. Do not continue to operate
your vehicle it you detect engine misfire, noticeable loss of power or o\
ther unusual operating conditions,
such as engine overheating or backfiring. A properly-tuned engine will h\
elp in avoiding malfunctions
that could damage the Catalytic Converter.
l Remember that tampering with or unauthorized modifications to the engine\
or the vehicle may be
illegal and can cause catalyst or exhaust system overheating. This inclu\
des:
-- Altering fuel injection settings or components.
-- Adjusting ignition timing beyond specified limits.
-- Altering emission system components or location or removing component\
s.
-- Use of leaded fuel.
WARNING: Do not park your car over combustible materials, such as grass \
or leaves, which can
come into contact with the hot exhaust system and cause such materials t\
o ignite under certain wind
and weather conditions.
l Excessive starter cranking (in excess of one continuous minute) with a\
n intermittently firing or
flooded engine, can cause catalyst or exhaust system overheating. This a\
lso applies to lengthy pushing or
towing of vehicle to start (manual transmissions only). Do not attempt\
to start a car with automatic
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Volvo 1990 240 Model
Evaporative control systems
Vehicles intended for the North American market are equipped with a fuel\
vapor evaporative control
system, which prevents gasoline fumes from being released into the atmos\
phere.
The system is comprised of an expansion chamber in the fuel tank, a roll\
-over valve on the cross
member in front of the fuel tank, and a charcoal canister with built-in \
vacuum valve. The components
are interconnected by hoses which channel fuel vapor from the gas tank t\
o the charcoal filter where they
are stored until the engine is started and then drawn into the engine fu\
el induction system.
Engine Ignition
Change spark plugs
The spark plugs should be changed every 30,000 miles (48,000 km).
However, prolonged city driving or fast highway driving may necessitate \
changing spark plugs after
10,000 miles (16,000 km) of driving. When installing new plugs, be sur\
e to fit the right type and use the
correct torque, see "Specifications".
When changing the spark plugs, check that the suppressor connectors are \
in good condition. Cracked or
damaged connectors should be replaced.
When changing spark plugs, clean the cables and cable terminals, also th\
e rubber seals. If the car is
driven on roads where salt is used during the winter, coat the cables wi\
th silicone.
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Volvo 1990 240 Model
WARNING!
The ignition system operates at very high voltages. Special safety preca\
utions must be followed to
prevent injury:
Always turn the ignition off when:
l connecting engine test and diagnostic equipment to the vehicle (timing \
light, tach-dwell tester,
ignition oscilloscope, etc.).
l Replacing ignition components e.g. plugs, coil, distributor, high-tensio\
n leads, etc.
Contents | Top of Page
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Volvo 1990 240 Model
Warning: Turn starting (ignition) switch OFF before replacing fuses. E\
xcessive heat may be created by
a short circuit. Care must be exercised while replacing blown fuses.
Some of the equipment listed below is optional
Refer to the fuse location chart at fuse box for fuses specific to your \
car.
1 Cigarette lighter, Power mirrors, Radio, Tailgate wiper/washer 8A
2 Windshield wiper/washer, Horn 16A
3 Heater blower 25A
4 Fuel feed (in-tank) pump, Lambda-sond heating element 8A
5 Turn signals, Back-up lights 16A
6 Main fuel pump relay 16A
7 Brake lights 8A
8 Central locking, Interior and glove compartment lights, Trunk and engi\
ne
compartment lights, Radio, Power antenna, Clock, Daytime running lights \
(Canada)* 8A
9 Hazard warning Flashers 8A
10 Power windows 16A
11 Heated rear window, 4th gear (automatic transmission) 16A
12 Air conditioning (with blower control), Power windows (relay),
Heated rear window (relay), Seat belt reminder, Cruise control 8A
13 Heated front seats, Daytime running lights - relay (Canada)* 16A
14 Rear fog lights 8A
15 Parking lights (left side), License plate light 8A
16 Parking lights (right side), Instruments and control panel lights, \
Shift indicator light 8A
Blade type fuse, serving LH-Jetronic fuel injection system. Located on t\
he left
wheel housing by the ignition coil 25A
* Note: Early production Canadian vehicles are not equipped with Daytime\
Running Lights.
Contents | Top of Page
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Volvo 1990 240 Model
dealer.
Condition: Starter fails to operate (or operates very slowly)
Possible cause Correction
Weak battery or dead cell. With the starting (ignition) switch in the "Driving"
or "On" position, check to see if the warning lights
on the dashboard come on and if they stay on when
the starter is engaged. If the lights do not come on or
if they go off when the starter is engaged, the battery
is discharged or see below.
Loose or corroded battery cable terminals. Check battery terminals and clamps. Clean or
replace if necessary. Check that the starter cable is
secure at its terminals.
The ground strap, which connects the battery
negative (-) terminal to the engine, should also be
checked for corrosion or looseness.
Open circuit between starting (ignition) switch
and starting (ignition) switch terminal on
starter. The circuit is closed if a clicking sound is heard
from the starter when it is engaged. If no clicking
sound is heard, check that the blue wire at the starter
is secure. If still no clicking sound is heard, the
starting (ignition) switch or the wire is defective.
Starter motor defective. If the above checks have been performed, and no
fault is evident, the starter may be defective. NOTE:
In this case the headlight intensity will not dim when
the starter is engaged.
pg. 93 Service diagnosis
Condition: Starter motor operates but engine does not start
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Volvo 1990 240 Model
Possible cause Correction
Intake system leaking. Check vacuum hose connections at manifold and
auxiliary air valve.
No fuel reaching engine. Check for fuel in the tank.
Check fuse No 4.
No spark Check that the high tension lead from the coil to the
distributor cap is connected and that the wires to the
distributor and coil are connected.
Check the fuse for the engine control system. The fuse
is located in the engine compartment on the left wheel
housing by the ignition coil.
Spark plugs, high tension leads or distributor
cap wet or defective. Clean the parts with a dry cloth or spray with a moisture
remover. Replace defective or worn parts.
If no fault is found following the above steps, contact
your Volvo dealer.
pg. 94 Service diagnosis
Condition: Erratic idle (misfiring)
Possible cause Correction
Intake system leaking. Check hose connections.
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