1985 Volvo Dl problems

General information about Volvo-Dl
Overview of popular issues
Analysis of common problems
Сomplaints list

The Volvo 200 Series (or 240 and 260 Series) is a range of mid-size cars produced by Swedish company Volvo Cars from 1974 until 1993, with more than 2.8 million total units sold worldwide. Like the Volvo 140 Series (1966 to 1974), from which it was developed, it was designed by Jan Wilsgaard.

The series overlapped production of the Volvo 700 Series (1982 to 1992). As the 240 Series remained popular, only the 260 Series was displaced by the 700 Series, which Volvo marketed alongside the 240 for another decade. The 700 was replaced by the 900 Series in 1992, a year before the 240 was discontinued. Production of the 240 ended on 14 May 1993, after nearly 20 years, with the basic platform and architecture lasting 27 years, if the production run of the original 140 Series is aggregated.

History

The Volvo 240 and 260 series were introduced in the autumn of 1974, and was initially available as six variations of the 240 Series (242L, 242DL, 244DL, 244GL, 245L and 245DL) and two variations of the 260 Series (264DL and 264GL). The 240 Series was available as a sedan (with two or four doors) or a station wagon, however, the 260 Series was available as a coupé (262C Bertone), two-door sedan, four-door sedan, or station wagon. The 200 looked much like the earlier 140 and 164, they shared the same basic body shell and were largely identical from the cowl rearward. However, the 200 incorporated many of the features and design elements tried in the Volvo VESC ESV in 1972, which was a prototype experiment in car safety. The overall safety of the driver and passengers in the event of a crash was greatly improved with very large front and rear end crumple zones. Another main change was the new engines offered, which were of an overhead cam design based on the earlier B20. The 260 series also received a V6 engine in lieu of the 164's inline-six.

The 200 Series had MacPherson strut-type front suspension, which increased room around the engine bay, while the rear suspension was a modified version of that fitted to the 140 Series. The steering was greatly improved with the introduction of rack-and-pinion steering, with power steering fitted as standard to the 244GL, 264DL and 264GL, and there were some modifications made to the braking system (in particular the master cylinder).

The front end of the car was also completely restyled with a "shovel nose" which closely resembled that of the VESC prototype vehicle – that being the most obvious change which made the 200 Series distinguishable from the earlier 140 and 160 Series. Other than all the changes mentioned above, the 200 Series was almost identical to the 140 and 160 Series from the bulkhead to the very rear end. In 1978, a facelift meant a redesigned rear end for sedans, with wraparound taillights and a trunk opening with a lower lip. The dashboard was derived from the safety fascia introduced for the 1973 model year 100 Series - the main change for the 200 Series was the adoption of slatted "egg crate" style air vents in place of the eyeball style vents used in the 140/160 and the square clock. All models were available with a choice of four-speed manual or a three-speed automatic transmission. Overdrive was also optional on the manual 244GL, while a five-speed manual gearbox was optional on the 264GL and 265GL.

In the autumn of 1975 (for the 1976 model year in America), the 265 DL estate became available alongside the existing range, and this was the first production Volvo estate to be powered by a six-cylinder engine. The choice of gearboxes was also improved, with overdrive now available as an option in all manual models except the base-model 242L and 245L. As before, a three-speed automatic was optional in every model. The B21A engine gained three horsepower; a new steering wheel and gearknob were also introduced.

At the 1976 Paris Motor Show Bertone first showed the stretched 264 TE, a seven-seat limousine on a 3,430 mm (135.0 in) wheelbase, although it had entered production earlier. The raw bodies were sent from Sweden to Grugliasco for lengthening, reinforcing, and finishing. Carl XVI Gustav of Sweden used one, as did much of East Germany's political leadership.

For 1977 the B19A engine with 90 PS (66 kW) replaced the B20A in most markets, although the old pushrod type soldiered on for another two years in some places. This is also the year that the sportier 242 GT arrived.

In 1978 the grille was altered, now with a chrome surround. Rear view mirrors were now black, while the front seats were changed as were the emblems, while interval wipers were introduced. 1978 models were also the first 240s to receive a new paint formula, to help solve the severe rust problems in previous model years.

The 1979 model year brought a full facelift front and rear, the most obvious change being the adoption of flush fitting square headlamps on the DL or rectangular headlamps on the GL, GLE in place of the recessed circular units. The sedans received new wraparound rear lamp clusters and a restyled leading edge to the trunk lid, while the rear of the wagons remained unchanged. The GLE was added while the L was cancelled, and the six-cylinder diesel arrived late in the year. For 1980, the sporty GLT arrived, replacing the GT. For 1981 there was yet another new grille, while the station wagons received new, wraparound taillights. The B21A gained some four horsepower, now 106 PS (78 kW), while the carburetted B23A with 112 PS (82 kW) was introduced in some markets. The Turbo arrived, while six-cylinder models now had a more powerful 2.8-liter engine. 1981 also saw the dashboard altered significantly, which a much larger binnacle in order to bring the radio and clock within the driver's line of sight. The instrument pod itself, which had been unaltered since the 1973 model year 100 Series, was also redesigned.

Incremental improvements were made almost every year of the production run. One of the major improvements was the introduction of the oxygen sensor in North America in late 1976 (1977 models), which Volvo called Lambda Sond and developed in conjunction with Bosch. It added a feedback loop to the Jetronic fuel injection system already in use, which allowed fine-tuning of the air and fuel mixture and therefore produced superior emissions, drivability and fuel economy.

For the 1983 model year, Volvo dropped the DL and GLE labels, selling the cars simply as 240s. In the domestic Swedish market, the 240 could be had with a 2.1 or 2.3-liter engine (more options were available in export), but the bigger engine always came coupled with a five-speed transmission and tinted windows. The 1983s also received wider side trim and all models had the larger taillights introduced on the previous year's GLT model. A B23E-engined GLE variant was also added (not available with two doors). Buyers protested against the lack of grades and they returned for 1984. A new manual gearbox also arrived for 1984, while a four-speed automatic option was available in the GL. The GLT and Turbo versions received a taller grille.

While Volvo had been planning to discontinue the 200-series since the early 1980s, the design kept selling well and Volvo provided steady updates. In late 1991, for the 1992 model year, it received 160 detail improvements including changes to the heater controls, heated rear view mirrors, and revised front seats. For the final, 1993 model year, air conditioning units were upgraded to use R-134a rather than the ozone-depleting R-12 (Freon).

About one-third of all 240s sold were station wagons, which featured very large cargo space of 41 cubic feet (1.2 m3). They could be outfitted with a rear-facing foldable jumpseat in the passenger area, making the wagon a seven-passenger vehicle. The jumpseat came with three-point seat belts, and wagons were designed to have a reinforced floor section, protecting the occupants of the jumpseat in the event of a rear-end collision.

A 1993 Volvo 240DL was driven by IKEA founder Ingvar Kamprad, who stopped driving it when he was told the car was too dangerous due to outdated safety design two decades later.

The last 200 produced was a blue station wagon built to the Italian specification and named the "Polar Italia", currently displayed at the Volvo World Museum. It was manufactured the 14th May 1993.

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Common 1985 Volvo Dl problems

The Volvo 240 DL, produced in 1985, is known for its robust construction and durability. However, as with any vehicle, it has several common problems that owners have reported over the years. Here are some of the most frequent issues:

Fuse Box Corrosion: The main fuse box in the driver side kick panel is susceptible to corrosion from water that can enter the interior and drip directly onto the fuses. This can lead to intermittent or no start issues. Prevent this problem by cleaning the fuses annually.

Heater Blower Motor: The heater blower motor, located deep in the dash, is known for failing over time. Replacing it can take several hours for an experienced mechanic and even longer for beginners. Regular inspection and replacement of the motor can help prevent this issue.

Motor & Transmission Mounts: The Volvo 240 goes through engine and transmission mounts on a regular basis. These parts have a safety-related design that allows the engine to move back and under the car in the event of a serious head-on collision. It is essential to inspect these mounts annually and replace them every 2-3 years, depending on driving habits.

Flame Trap System: The Volvo 240 uses a flame trap system instead of a PCV system with a PCV valve, which is common in other vehicles. This system has caused problems since its introduction in 1976, leading to oil leaks and idle issues. Regular maintenance and cleaning of the flame trap system can help prevent these problems.

Worn Air Intake Hose & Air Box Thermostats: Volvo 240 models with Bosch LH electronic fuel injection have a large plastic accordion-style intake hose that connects the air mass meter to the intake manifold. This hose can wear out and cause issues over time. Regular inspection and replacement of worn parts can help prevent problems.

Rust: Like many cars of its era, the Volvo 240 can suffer from rust issues, particularly in the floorboards and other areas where hardware is fused together. Regular inspection and maintenance can help prevent or address rust issues.

Wiring: Mid-80s Volvo 240s had bio-degradable wiring insulation under the hood, which could lead to wiring problems. Regular inspection and replacement of worn or damaged wiring can help prevent issues.

Charging Circuit: Wiring problems or worn alternator brushes/voltage regulator can cause charging circuit issues. Regular inspection and maintenance of the charging system can help prevent these problems.

Lack of Overdrive in Automatic Cars: Automatic Volvo 240s may experience issues with the relay, transmission solenoid, or wiring, leading to a lack of overdrive. Regular inspection and maintenance of the transmission and related components can help prevent these issues.

Oil Leaks: Clogged PCV systems (flame traps) can cause oil leaks. Regular cleaning and maintenance of the flame trap system can help prevent oil leaks.

In summary, the Volvo 240 DL, like many cars of its era, has several common problems that owners should be aware of. Regular inspection, maintenance, and replacement of worn or damaged parts can help prevent or address these issues.

What is the difference between DL and GL in Volvo?

Volvo has used DL and GL to indicate the trim level of these models from 1974 to 1990 and then inconsistently from 1991 until the end of introduction in 1993. In 1993. DL (De Luxe) indicates the base model with modest interiors and accessories where GL (Gran Luxe) indicates the higher level of trim.

What year is a Volvo 240 DL?

What year is the Volvo 244 DL?

In August 1974, Volvo presented a new generation of cars called the 240 and 260 Series. These new models had been developed from the 140 series and were very similar to their predecessors, and with influences from the VESC safety concept car.

What does DL mean on a Volvo?

DL (De Luxe) - 1975 to 1993: The DL is the base model and probably the most common. They generally have cloth interiors, steel wheels with chrome hubcaps, and no power options. Available on a 242, 244, or 245. GL/GLE (Grand Luxe / Extra) - 1975 to 1993: The GL is the luxury model, and somewhat uncommon.

What does DL mean on a Volvo?

What is the difference between DL and GL in Volvo?

What year is a Volvo 240 DL?

What year is the Volvo 244 DL?

1985 Volvo Dl car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Volvo Dl problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

Electrical system problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1985 Volvo Dl vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

1985 Volvo Dl complaints

The NHTSA has received 1 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1985 Volvo Dl.

1995-11-13

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 1995-11-13
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Summary: ENGINE STALLED, UNABLE TO RESTART BECAUSE OF COMPUTER PROBLEM. *DSH

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Additional sources

More sources of information about 1985 Volvo Dl problems:

Common Issues With The Volvo 240 | Volvo Owners Forum

https://www.volvo-forums.com/threads/common-issues-with-the-volvo-240.29045/

Dec 2, 2009 ... Common Issues With The Volvo 240 · 1. rust â€" its hard to replace parts when the hardware is fused together, holes in the floorboards, etc. · 2.

Top 10 Common Issues with Volvo 240 Models

https://www.ipdusa.com/Articles/588/Top-10-Common-Issues-with-Volvo-240-Models

Mar 11, 2011 ... Top 10 Common Issues with Volvo 240 Models · Main Fuses · Heater Fan · OD Relay, Wiring, Switch & Solenoid · Motor & Transmission Mounts · Flame Trap ...

Volvo 940 turbo known problems | British Car Forum

https://www.britishcarforum.com/community/threads/volvo-940-turbo-known-problems.77817/

Aug 6, 2011 ... Volvo 940 turbo known problems. Thread starter mailbox ... Volvo 240 Wagon transmission question... ... 1985 Volvo DL station wagon. Started by ...

1985 Volvo 240 DL cranks over but won't start up

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=49671

Jun 27, 2012 ... ... common point of failure in hard start problems so I replaced it. The car still cranks over, but fails to start. I also purchased a radio ...