1990 Volvo Gl problems
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.
Social links
Common 1990 Volvo Gl problems
Common Problems with the Volvo GL 1990, based on complaints from owners:
- Overdrive Relay, Wiring, Switch, and Solenoid Issues
The overdrive system in 1975-1988 240 Volvos is known to be troublesome. The most common problem is the shift knob accidentally being pulled off, which results in the OD button wires being disconnected from the switch.
- Worn Air Intake Hose and 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. Over time, a hole wears through where the hose touches the inner fender, allowing unfiltered and unmetered air to enter the engine. This causes erratic behavior and running lean, which can introduce more issues if attempting to correct the mixture and get a decent idle.
- Fuel Injection Relay
The main fuel pump relay can be a problem in 1978-1985 240 Volvos. If the pump does not come on, replacing the relay in the fuse box at the back of the ashtray is recommended.
- Corrosion in the Fuse Box
The main fuse box in the driver side kick panel of the Volvo 240 is susceptible to corrosion from water that can enter the interior and drip directly onto the fuses. The small contact area of the European ceramic style fuses also leads to corrosion due to electrolosis. Prevent numerous problems associated with the fuse box by pulling all fuses and cleaning them annually.
- Heater Blower Motor
The heater blower motor in the Volvo 240 is buried in the deepest confines of the dash and can take 3-4 hours for an experienced mechanic to replace. Replacing the motor can take all weekend for some beginner do-it-yourselfers.
- Lumbar Support Systems
Volvo 240 seats offer excellent adjustable lumbar back support, but the lumbar support systems commonly fail between 50-100,000 miles. The bottom seat cushion support grid is also a weak spot, causing drivers to struggle when trying to see over the steering wheel when it fails.
- Odometer Gear Failure
The odometer is driven off of the main speedometer drive shaft by a small plastic gear. The plastic gear eventually splits and loses its grip on the drive shaft, resulting in erratic or complete loss of odometer & trip meter function.
- Watertight Fuse Holder
For owners of 1982-89 non-turbo Volvo 240 series, Volvos with LH fuel injection, a watertight fuse holder is recommended to prevent issues caused by water entering the fuse box.
- Dashboard Cracking
The Volvo 740's dashboard had a tendency to crack, which was a common criticism of the car.
What is the value of a 1990 Volvo 240?
The value of a used 1990 Volvo 240 ranges from $1,251 to $7,194, based on vehicle condition, mileage, and options.
What is the fuel economy of a 1990 Volvo 740?
Based on data from 22 vehicles, 1,548 fuel-ups and 318,565 miles of driving, the 1990 Volvo 740 gets a combined Avg MPG of 19.88 with a 0.21 MPG margin of error. Below you can see a distribution of the fuel-ups with 87 outliers (5.32%) removed.
What is the life expectancy of a Volvo 240?
What is Volvo 240 lifespan? The estimated lifespan of a Volvo 240 is 380,000mi, before reaching the life expectancy upper limit. Fuel type is a major factor when looking into a vehicles lifespan/life expectancy.
When did the Volvo 240 GL come out?
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).
What is the fuel economy of a 1990 Volvo 740?
Based on data from 22 vehicles, 1,548 fuel-ups and 318,565 miles of driving, the 1990 Volvo 740 gets a combined Avg MPG of 19.88 with a 0.21 MPG margin of error. Below you can see a distribution of the fuel-ups with 87 outliers (5.32%) removed.
How long is a 1990 Volvo 240?
Used 1990 Volvo 240 - Specs & Features
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 189.9 in. |
| Overall width without mirrors | 67.3 in. |
| Height | 56.3 in. |
| Wheelbase | 104.3 in. |
How long do Volvo petrol engines last?
It can also vary depending on the make and year of your Volvo. That being said, with the proper care the average lifespan of a Volvo is typically 20 years with over 200,000 miles.
Are Volvos good on fuel?
The most fuel-efficient Volvo is the 2022 Volvo S60 sedan, which clocks in with great efficiency at 35 highway MPG. Other popular Volvo models are not far behind, though, with the Volvo XC40 SUV coming in at 32 highway MPG. The XC60 and XC90 slide in at 30 highway MPG.
1990 Volvo Gl car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Volvo Gl problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Engine and engine cooling problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1990 Volvo Gl vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1990 Volvo Gl complaints
The NHTSA has received 1 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1990 Volvo Gl.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Fire: 1
- VIN: YV1FA8842L2
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WHEN NOTICED THERE WERE FLAMES COMING FROM PASSENGER'S SIDE, PULLED OVER TO SIDE ,TURNED OFF ENGINE, FIRE CAUSED THE FRONT END TO BE COMPLETLY BURNT. *AK
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1990 Volvo Gl problems:
Common Issues With The Volvo 240 | Volvo Owners Forum
Dec 2, 2009 ... The 240 is a well made car and with proper maintenance will run for a long time but any car that is 20-30 years old is going have problems. I ...
1990 Volvo 740 GL intermittingly won't start
Sep 19, 2005 ... This is a common problem on starting systems that have no inhibitor relay to carry the load. There will develop voltage drops from poor ...
Top 10 Common Issues with Volvo 240 Models
Mar 11, 2011 ... Prevent numerous problems associated with the fuse box, by pulling all fuses and cleaning them annually. If you encounter a intermittent or no ...
1990 Volvo 740GL Problems - Volvo Forums - Volvo Enthusiasts ...
Dec 9, 2008 ... Volvo 240, 740 & 940 - 1990 Volvo 740GL Problems - Hello all, I am new here and was reading through posts that seem to replicate the ...
Are Volvo Penta engines and drives THAT BAD?!!! - The Hull Truth ...
Sep 25, 2018 ... I have only owned 2 Volvo engines. 8.1 that were in a brand new boat I bought in 2003. both had major problems within 2 years so for my small ...
Other years of Volvo Gl
Are you having problems with your 1990 Volvo Gl?
Leave your review of 1990 Volvo Gl