1984 Volvo 242 Electrical Issues

While driving my Volvo today, I noticed the battery light was flickering
on and off. Later while driving, several of the idiot lights were
doing the same thing, flickering on and off.

The car was running completely normal

Any thoughts what might be casing my problem?

The car is just about to turn 240,000 miles and have not had any
electrical problems in the 8 years I have had the car.

Thanks,

Dave

Reply to

 

Does the car have a voltmeter? Often this exact symptom is caused by
worn brushes in the alternator, and when this happens pretty soon it
will stop charging alltogether. The brushes are part of the regulator
and are fairly easy to remove to inspect, there's two screws on the back
of the alternator and the module comes out. I forget what the wear limit
is but a new unit has about half an inch or more of travel.

 

The car does not have a voltmeter - only an idiot light.

Dave

 

If the alternator checks out OK, examine the wire loom from the
alternator going back through the engine.

Look especially where it goes under the front crank pulley, and follow
it up and back under the intake manifold.

Odds are it is crumbling; hello, wire repair.

Hint: pull the manifold to inspect it; that will allow proper access
and allow you to do other recommended maintenance, such as cleaning
PCV and IAC valve.

I replaced my entire wire loom with a newer one as the old wires were
pretty much shot beyond practical repair, but if it isn't crumbling in
many places, you should be able to cut through the loom with a razor,
find and replace the affected wires, then seal it up with electrical
tape.

 

fwiw, I found the brush on liquid 'electrical tape' works well for
touching up crumbling wiring harnesses.

 

You will notice a bit of static on your radio as well from worn brushes
making and breaking .

 

I forgot to mention that, it is extremely common, though I figured by
now most that are still on the road have had it replaced. I built a new
harness from scratch using salvaged connectors, it took several hours
and quite a bit of heatshrink tubing and solder but it came out nicely
and has been working ever since. Would have been easier to replace if
I'd had one but the car was dead and I needed it running soon.