240 General: - B200e Ignition Control Module Woes

dickshawn · Feb 26th, 2008, 22:18

Hi Everyone
Finally got around to joining the forum after 23 years of Volvo ownership. I must say I am amazed at the amount of enthusiasm oout there for the good old 240!
To cut a long story short my wife'd 1989 240gl with b200e engine has broken down 3 times within the space of 3 years with the same problem - a faulty ign control module situated behind the frt nrside inner wing.
Now the first two times it happenned the module was replaced by an RAC patrolman and off we went on our way. This time the same thing happenned and I had to be recovered by the RAC breakdown - which is embarrassing in an old Volvo as these cars are not supposed to break down!
I bought a replacement Bosch module from ECP and fitted it to find it not working! Just for the hell of it I refitted the old module and hey presto the car started and ran perfectly for 2 days before expiring again. I am able to restart it intermittently and when it does run it sometimes goes perfectly and other times it either wont start or it runs with the headlamps permantly on and the tachometer needle wildly jumping around the dial.
I have cahnged the HT leads and dist cap, rotor etc. I have changed the notorious fuel pump relay and cleaned all the fuses etc.
I am amazed that if it is the aformentioned module that it can affect all these things! Surely the dratted thing would'nt work intermittently? I would like to be a bit more sure before I fork out another 50 odd quid for yet another unit!
Any advice would be great before my wife carries out her threat to sell the car (god forbid!!!) and get a Peugeot!
Regards
Mark

Mike_Brace · Feb 26th, 2008, 22:24

Maybe try replacing the loom between module and distributor?

Mike

Glen Morangie · Feb 26th, 2008, 22:32

Have you checked the connector on the module - I've heard of them giving problems. The other thing to remember is that the module is located where it is to minimise heat it gets from the engine, and I think the unit needs to be mounted with thermal transfer material to the wing panel (I may know for sure soon as I've just got one myself!).

If it were replaced without being properly thermally bonded it might explain the short life of the replacement item.

Mike_Brace · Feb 26th, 2008, 22:54

There is heat transfer paste applied between the unit and the heatsink it is fitted on.

Mike

Feb 26th, 2008, 22:18	#1
dickshawn New Member Last Online: Feb 27th, 2008 12:23 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: okehampton	B200e Ignition Control Module Woes Hi Everyone Finally got around to joining the forum after 23 years of Volvo ownership. I must say I am amazed at the amount of enthusiasm oout there for the good old 240! To cut a long story short my wife'd 1989 240gl with b200e engine has broken down 3 times within the space of 3 years with the same problem - a faulty ign control module situated behind the frt nrside inner wing. Now the first two times it happenned the module was replaced by an RAC patrolman and off we went on our way. This time the same thing happenned and I had to be recovered by the RAC breakdown - which is embarrassing in an old Volvo as these cars are not supposed to break down! I bought a replacement Bosch module from ECP and fitted it to find it not working! Just for the hell of it I refitted the old module and hey presto the car started and ran perfectly for 2 days before expiring again. I am able to restart it intermittently and when it does run it sometimes goes perfectly and other times it either wont start or it runs with the headlamps permantly on and the tachometer needle wildly jumping around the dial. I have cahnged the HT leads and dist cap, rotor etc. I have changed the notorious fuel pump relay and cleaned all the fuses etc. I am amazed that if it is the aformentioned module that it can affect all these things! Surely the dratted thing would'nt work intermittently? I would like to be a bit more sure before I fork out another 50 odd quid for yet another unit! Any advice would be great before my wife carries out her threat to sell the car (god forbid!!!) and get a Peugeot! Regards Mark

Feb 26th, 2008, 22:24	#2
Mike_Brace Former contributor Last Online: May 15th, 2024 09:52 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Rhosgoch, Anglesey	Maybe try replacing the loom between module and distributor? Mike __________________ A Volvo is for life not just for Christmas!

Feb 26th, 2008, 22:54	#4
Mike_Brace Former contributor Last Online: May 15th, 2024 09:52 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Rhosgoch, Anglesey	There is heat transfer paste applied between the unit and the heatsink it is fitted on. Mike __________________ A Volvo is for life not just for Christmas!

Feb 26th, 2008, 22:32	#3
Glen Morangie Economy motorist Last Online: May 16th, 2024 23:05 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: London	Have you checked the connector on the module - I've heard of them giving problems. The other thing to remember is that the module is located where it is to minimise heat it gets from the engine, and I think the unit needs to be mounted with thermal transfer material to the wing panel (I may know for sure soon as I've just got one myself!). If it were replaced without being properly thermally bonded it might explain the short life of the replacement item.

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