240 volvo help

[[email protected]]

I haven't been around in a while. So, I hope everyone is doing well, and has a fresh start with a new year! Well, the one true love in my life, my 240 (I guess that's pathetic... but, you take what you can get!!!) is in trouble. Or, rather I am. I'm sick of having to climb through the passenger door to get out of my car. I took all of the seats out of my car long ago, so it's not that difficult to get out! (had to do it... without seats, I can haul 10 foot pieces of lumber with the door closed..... I challenge you to beat that with the regular pickup truck!!!) If I had to climb out the window.... it would be way cooler because I could pretend I was in the Dukes of hazard!!!!
But, I'll never be that cool!!!
Anyhow, it's the luck of the draw as to whether or not I'll be able to open the driver's side door. I haven't "opened up" the door yet... haven't taken off the inside paneling, ect. From what I understand, there is a small piece that can break within the handle mechanism which requires buying a new handle. I'm really hoping there's not some rod that is a problem.
I don't know much about cars. Actually, I don't know anything about cars. My car has made some sense to me when I look at it. I've been pretty happy and thankful that my car doesn't have all of that new electronic stuff.
People think I'm crazy when I tell them this is the only car I've ever owned. It's a 1992 240 station wagon. I managed to snag it before the downfall of Volvo post 240 models (in my opinion).
Well, if anyone has any advice about this problem, please let me know.
cheers,
bird.

 

[STANIMAL]

There is a small plastic clip that holds the door handle to the actuator rod for the lock . It breaks and locks you out . I dont recall needing to remove the seat to get the door panel off , but it has been a long time since I have replaced a clip . Just in case , check if you can see the rod when you lift the door handle ( as if you were going to open the door ) .

 

[[email protected]]

Thanks for the info. I probably didn't explain my seat situation accurately. I took all of the seats out of my car because I can haul a lot more materials that way. Right now, i have to climb out of the passenger door, which doesn't have a seat... so, it's easier to climb out of!!!!! Yeah, pretty pathetic!
cheers,
bird.

 

[70datsun]

Don't think I ever expected to be talking about Volvo 240s on GJ. I have a 245 Turbo that had driver side doors that became increasingly difficult to open. Finally I removed the offending handle, which isn't terribly difficult:

remove map pocket
remove arm rest (a couple of screws then rotate upward until it releases)
remove door panel (use putty knife or flat screwdrive to gently release tabs)
remove screws holding outside handle and detatch

Now that you have the handle out, there is a small "stud" or bit of rod that is built into the moving part of the handle. The longer mechanism that actually releases the door rides on that and I found the stud on both handles to be worn almost halfway through. Meaning it would not move the release rod far enough to open the door. Grab with pliers and rotate 180 degrees so the undamaged side is doing the work. Coat with white lithium grease and reinstall.

First door took me an hour, second one like 20 minutes and they still work fine. Eventually though it'll wear through again and break then you need a real fix. But this kind of repair is completely inline with the spirit of owning an old Volvo.

Not sure if this is your problem but I hope it helps. And don't be agraid to dig into working on your car. You'll learn as you go and that 240 won't be broken easily.

 

[wesalexleft]

It's been a while since I've had mine, but I still miss them both. You just couldn't beat the sensation of the AC clicking on and it feeling like you'd just driven through a deep puddle. I had a '76 242 followed by a '91 240DL. In my opinion, those were the last good Volvos that would easily hit multi-hundred thousand miles without costing a fortune to maintain.

 

[[email protected]]

Don't "be discriminating against my ole' 240!!!" HAHA
I could talk about my dad's cars..... he has a xke, mark 2, 356 Porsche, mark 9......
I've owned my 240 forever, it's really the only car I've ever owned. Thanks for the info... I think it will help.
cheers,
bird.

Don't think I ever expected to be talking about Volvo 240s on GJ. I have a 245 Turbo that had driver side doors that became increasingly difficult to open. Finally I removed the offending handle, which isn't terribly difficult:

remove map pocket
remove arm rest (a couple of screws then rotate upward until it releases)
remove door panel (use putty knife or flat screwdrive to gently release tabs)
remove screws holding outside handle and detatch

Now that you have the handle out, there is a small "stud" or bit of rod that is built into the moving part of the handle. The longer mechanism that actually releases the door rides on that and I found the stud on both handles to be worn almost halfway through. Meaning it would not move the release rod far enough to open the door. Grab with pliers and rotate 180 degrees so the undamaged side is doing the work. Coat with white lithium grease and reinstall.

First door took me an hour, second one like 20 minutes and they still work fine. Eventually though it'll wear through again and break then you need a real fix. But this kind of repair is completely inline with the spirit of owning an old Volvo.

Not sure if this is your problem but I hope it helps. And don't be agraid to dig into working on your car. You'll learn as you go and that 240 won't be broken easily.