Volvo 122 Electrical Troubleshooting
- 1). Open the hood of your Volvo and locate the battery. Unscrew the bolts that hold the positive and negative terminals to the top of the battery. Disconnect these power cables to halt all electricity from flowing through your car's engine.
- 2). Check the metal connectors on the battery for any signs of rust or corrosion, as this will ultimately affect how the power is delivered to your Volvo. Pour baking soda and water into a container and use a toothbrush to scrub away any of this build-up.
- 3). Inspect the positive and negative terminal cables of your Volvo 122's engine to ensure that these parts are not frayed or damaged in any way. Faulty terminal cables can hinder the ability of electricity from reaching your car's intended parts. Confirm the appearance of these cables, but keep them disconnected from the battery throughout the rest of the troubleshooting.
- 4). Check any and all electrical wiring in your Volvo 122's engine to confirm that each cable is fit for proper functioning. The smallest wire can make or break your engine's performance. Typical wiring problems occur around the alternator, spark plugs and distributor.
- 5). Reconnect the battery terminal cables and any other electrical wiring you removed or replaced. Start your engine, or at least attempt to start your engine, to check the validity of the electrical connection. If your car just clicks and nothing else, you most likely have a starter problem. You might only have a battery issue if the car struggles to start or shows signs of attempting to start.
- 6). Disconnect the positive and negative terminals of the Volvo 122 once again. Connect a voltage meter to the battery and check the results and compare with the battery's output rating. Replace the battery if voltage levels or physical damage to the casing appear. Unscrew the bolts that hold the battery in place and simply lift it out of place.
- 7). Unscrew the bolts that hold the alternator or generator to the car and carefully remove this piece from the engine. Turn this starting device over and check the brushes on the underside to ensure that they are intact and not corroded or burnt. Replace accordingly, then screw this starting device back into the engine.
- 8). Pull each of the spark plug wires out from the intended slot and check the condition of each of these plugs. Yank each of the spark plugs that appear damaged or have been knocked loose, using the spark plug puller. Slide each of the new spark plugs to their intended slots and turn until properly installed. Consult your owner's manual if you are unsure of the specifics to your Volvo 122's particular engine.
- 9). Replace all remaining parts that you removed for electrical troubleshooting, ensuring that you secured each wire and part into place.
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