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Car Forum / Volvo Cars / October 2004

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1986 240 dl - Warning Light Issue

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DJ SIEGE - 12 Oct 2004 00:35 GMT
Ok, the other day I'm on the freeway going about 60 mph,when the red oil
light started to flicker. The faster I went 65-70 mph, it stayed on red.
(goes off when I slow down) I checked the oil level and it was normal.

Then yesterday again, driving about 60 mph on the freeway, the battery
light,brake failure, and parking brake lights came on and flashed a few
times. (I just got new brakes 3 days ago)
Today when I went to move the car all of the lights I mentioned before were
on, except now they just stay on.
Any Idea what could be causing this issue?
G Klein - 12 Oct 2004 01:00 GMT
Check the small red wire on the rear of the alternator if this comes lose
this could cause your complaint

Signature

 "*-344-*Never Forgotten"
Is for the New York City Firemen who lost their lives on September 11,2001.
The official count is 343, but there was also a volunteer who lost his life
aiding in the initial rescue efforts. And I will never forget them as long
as I live,
nor should any American.
 "Mow Green"

> Ok, the other day I'm on the freeway going about 60 mph,when the red oil
> light started to flicker. The faster I went 65-70 mph, it stayed on red.
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> on, except now they just stay on.
> Any Idea what could be causing this issue?
DJ SIEGE - 13 Oct 2004 01:32 GMT
> Check the small red wire on the rear of the alternator if this comes
> lose this could cause your complaint

I checked, the wire is connected but,coming apart. (fraying).
It definetly needs to be replaced.
What kind of wire should I use to reconnect it?
And, how difficult will it be to fix?
Any direction on how to fix this is appreciated. Thanks.
DJ SIEGE - 13 Oct 2004 04:29 GMT
>> Check the small red wire on the rear of the alternator if this comes
>> lose this could cause your complaint
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> And, how difficult will it be to fix?
> Any direction on how to fix this is appreciated. Thanks.

Also I was wondering , Is it a bad idea to drive around with these issues?
KHanawalt - 13 Oct 2004 05:16 GMT
>Also I was wondering , Is it a bad idea to drive around with these issues?

You aren't charging your battery fully, and you could get somewhere and the car
wouldn't start, or if you're driving a long distance it could just stop running
somewhere.  You can take it to Autozone or another parts store, they usually
have a free test that will tell you if you're charging system is okay.  

I had the same problem with the dash lights a couple of weeks ago, had to
replace the alternator.  $72 at Autozone, I did it myself.  

If you're lucky, you may just need a set of brushes.  These come attached to
the regulator, which is what you have to ask for at the parts store.  These are
$25 at Autozone, and can be replaced without removing the alternator, from
above the engine (no crawling around.)  I tried this, but they didn't fix my
problem.  I then exchanged them for a new alternator.

Maybe you have a friend to help you do this?  Pretty easy, really.  Just need a
set of wrenches and maybe some ramps or jack-stands to get the car up off the
ground so you can crawl under it easily.
KennyH  

Horsepower is cheaper than therapy.
DJ SIEGE - 13 Oct 2004 11:40 GMT
>>Also I was wondering , Is it a bad idea to drive around with these
>>issues?
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
>
> Horsepower is cheaper than therapy.

Well, I did'nt listen.
I went to visit a friend ,and on the way home from my friends house
about 2 cities away from home the car starts to sputter a bit then the
dash lights started dimming, then no headlights.
Car barely running I made it to the front of my grandparents house and
left it there (it would'nt restart) Hell, I was lucky to make it home at
2 in the morning without seeing 1 cop car.
Anyway, the worst happened, so any info on what I should do from here is
again appreciated.
DJ SIEGE - 13 Oct 2004 19:34 GMT
>>>Also I was wondering , Is it a bad idea to drive around with these
>>>issues?
[quoted text clipped - 31 lines]
> Anyway, the worst happened, so any info on what I should do from here is
> again appreciated.

Looks like the wire on the back of the alternator is just falling apart.
if I replace the wire looks like it should work again.
What kind of wire should I use.
G Klein - 14 Oct 2004 00:05 GMT
Use the same type of wire you will have to cut the harness outer casing down
to find a good piece to splice in to as I said before if the small wire is
not attached or not in good shape the alternator will not charge
Glenn

Signature

 "*-344-*Never Forgotten"
Is for the New York City Firemen who lost their lives on September 11,2001.
The official count is 343, but there was also a volunteer who lost his life
aiding in the initial rescue efforts. And I will never forget them as long
as I live,
nor should any American.
 "Mow Green"

>
>>>>Also I was wondering , Is it a bad idea to drive around with these
[quoted text clipped - 40 lines]
> if I replace the wire looks like it should work again.
> What kind of wire should I use.
DJ SIEGE - 14 Oct 2004 01:04 GMT
> Use the same type of wire you will have to cut the harness outer
> casing down to find a good piece to splice in to as I said before if
> the small wire is not attached or not in good shape the alternator
> will not charge Glenn

Well since you mentioned splicing wires, I might just get a new alternator.
Because splicing wires would probably lead to problems in the future.
Right?
G Klein - 14 Oct 2004 04:22 GMT
No even if you purchase a alternator you will still have to either repair
the wire or breakdown & purchase the engine wiring harness which is not
cheap I had the same problem on my Volvo as I stated just cut the outer
casing down until the dried wire is now soft & pliable just cut & splice
either with a solderless connector or solder & tape
Glenn

Signature

 "*-344-*Never Forgotten"
Is for the New York City Firemen who lost their lives on September 11,2001.
The official count is 343, but there was also a volunteer who lost his life
aiding in the initial rescue efforts. And I will never forget them as long
as I live,
nor should any American.
 "Mow Green"

>
>> Use the same type of wire you will have to cut the harness outer
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> Because splicing wires would probably lead to problems in the future.
> Right?
DJ SIEGE - 14 Oct 2004 07:02 GMT
> No even if you purchase a alternator you will still have to either
> repair the wire or breakdown & purchase the engine wiring harness
> which is not cheap I had the same problem on my Volvo as I stated just
> cut the outer casing down until the dried wire is now soft & pliable
> just cut & splice either with a solderless connector or solder & tape
> Glenn

Ok, I'll try that.
And thank you.
G Klein - 15 Oct 2004 00:28 GMT
Your Welcome

Signature

 "*-344-*Never Forgotten"
Is for the New York City Firemen who lost their lives on September 11,2001.
The official count is 343, but there was also a volunteer who lost his life
aiding in the initial rescue efforts. And I will never forget them as long
as I live,
nor should any American.
 "Mow Green"

>
>> No even if you purchase a alternator you will still have to either
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> Ok, I'll try that.
> And thank you.
DJ SIEGE - 15 Oct 2004 04:25 GMT
>> No even if you purchase a alternator you will still have to either
>> repair the wire or breakdown & purchase the engine wiring harness
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> Ok, I'll try that.
> And thank you.

The wires are coroded badly.
Should I use anything to clean the wire to make the best connection at the
splice?
If so, what's a good grime cleaner?  
G Klein - 16 Oct 2004 01:35 GMT
There really is not anything that i know of to do that what I have done on
my own car is to follow the wire down to were it is in good shape then
splice there
Glenn

Signature

 "*-344-*Never Forgotten"
Is for the New York City Firemen who lost their lives on September 11,2001.
The official count is 343, but there was also a volunteer who lost his life
aiding in the initial rescue efforts. And I will never forget them as long
as I live,
nor should any American.
 "Mow Green"

>
>>> No even if you purchase a alternator you will still have to either
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> splice?
> If so, what's a good grime cleaner?
James Sweet - 16 Oct 2004 03:25 GMT
> > Use the same type of wire you will have to cut the harness outer
> > casing down to find a good piece to splice in to as I said before if
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> Because splicing wires would probably lead to problems in the future.
> Right?

No, a new alternator won't stop you from having to splice wires. I've never
had an alternator actually fail, usually it's just the regulator, it's a $40
part, as opposed to $200-$300 for a whole alternator.
James Sweet - 16 Oct 2004 03:24 GMT
> >>>Also I was wondering , Is it a bad idea to drive around with these
> >>>issues?
[quoted text clipped - 39 lines]
>  if I replace the wire looks like it should work again.
> What kind of wire should I use.

How many miles are on the car? The voltage regulators (integral to the brush
pack) tend to wear out after 150-200k miles, you'll get the same problem,
intermittant charging followed by complete failure. Removal is a breeze,
installing the new one can be a bit tricky with the angle but it's only two
screws in the back of the alternator. Don't force it as the plastic casing
can break.
Vic - 12 Oct 2004 01:02 GMT
Sounds like your alternator isnt charging, Use a voltmeter on the battery
terminals while the car is running and look for more than 12 volts.

> Ok, the other day I'm on the freeway going about 60 mph,when the red oil
> light started to flicker. The faster I went 65-70 mph, it stayed on red.
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> on, except now they just stay on.
> Any Idea what could be causing this issue?
KHanawalt - 13 Oct 2004 05:09 GMT
> Use a voltmeter on the battery
>terminals while the car is running and look for more than 12 volts.

Not just more than 12 volts.  It should be charging over 13.5, maybe even 14
volts.

I had an alternator problem, and it was just barely keeping things going,
charging at about 12.3 volts, but that's not enough to keep the battery fully
charged.
KennyH  

Horsepower is cheaper than therapy.
James Sweet - 16 Oct 2004 03:22 GMT
> Ok, the other day I'm on the freeway going about 60 mph,when the red oil
> light started to flicker. The faster I went 65-70 mph, it stayed on red.
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> on, except now they just stay on.
> Any Idea what could be causing this issue?

How's the engine wiring harness? It's notorious for falling apart on a few
years, including your '86. I had to patch up the harness on my mom's '86
until I have time to replace it, insulation was crumbling off all over.
DJ SIEGE - 17 Oct 2004 18:47 GMT
>> Ok, the other day I'm on the freeway going about 60 mph,when the red
>> oil light started to flicker. The faster I went 65-70 mph, it stayed
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> mom's '86 until I have time to replace it, insulation was crumbling
> off all over.

Yes the insulation on the wire to the OPS is completely gone and the
wire was destroyed from time.
Now I need to find the small push clip and the metal connector to go in
the OPS. The one I took out fell apart in my hand. (I wish I could show
a picture of the part, Is that allowed here?)  
I have 14 gauge wire and my soldering gun, but I need a new clip to the
OPS. the small metal clip won't reopen for me to connect the wire
properly.
Anyone have any Idea where I might find The Part to clip the wire in to
the OPS?
 
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