Volvo 960 Estate 24v
Fixing the Volvo’s latest hissy fit turns out to be easier than expected
RICHARD GUNN
1995 VOLVO 960 24v AUTO
You’d think that my 960 would be contented and willing to let some time go by without troubles, with me having treated it to a fresh pair of front wings, wouldn’t you? Not a bit of it. Within days, the big brick was proving difficult to rouse in the mornings. The battery was the culprit – mains charging it would at least get it to start, but the next day, it would be dead again.
I checked the battery cells and saw that the two outer ones were very low. So, cheapest option first, I popped to my local Halfords for some distilled water and a small funnel. Unfortunately, even with all the cells topped up and the battery recharged, the Volvo wasn’t having any of it. Time, I suppose, for the more expensive Plan B – a new battery.
There were several options, ranging from £82 to £110. I went for the cheapest – the Volvo has gobbled up more than its fair share of my bank account lately as it is.
At least fitting it was simple enough – unscrew the terminals then remove the right-hand inside headlamp cover to allow enough room to undo the securing clamp. I’m used to taking batteries out only to be horrified by the acid-attacked metal underneath, but the steel platform below the Volvo’s plastic tray still looked pretty reasonable.
The new battery was squatter and wider than its predecessor, so getting the clamp tightened properly took a few goes. Still, it was all sorted after about half an hour or so. The Volvo now fired up so eagerly that it almost seemed all I had to do was wave the key in the vague direction of the ignition to get it to start.
So, happy, contented and willing Volvo now then? Um, no. Now there’s a small blow from the exhaust; worryingly, it’s around the catalytic converter. Will this car ever start behaving itself like other examples of its marque? Or have I found the black sheep of the Gothenburg family?