In the engine bay screwed onto the side by the headlight is a metal plate about 4or 5 inches long and about 2 inches wide with a wire running into it. As soon as you start the car the plate gets really hot as in too hot to touch. Undone the 2 screws that hold it on and there are 2 white rod's inside.Anyone have any idea what they are or what it does ? I am sure it should'nt get as hot as it does whatever it is.

Would have added a picture of it if i knew how to instead of my vague description but not that clever with PC,s yet.

I am not so familiar with your problem, but right below your typing area, there's an "Attachments" item, click browse and find the picture you want to put on.
It would be way better if we can see the pics...
waiting for your pic.

from what you have described, i think it is the ignition ballast resistor. this will get hot anyway as it limits the current being switch to the coil. the coils on the volvo's are lower resistance than others so need a resistor to cut the power down - side effect of this is heat. its usually fine.

usually with the rods (which is basically a ceramic compound) there are things that look like springs that help to dissipate the heat onto the chassis.

Thanks John & Syko. Just to confirm it is the ballast resistor and heat is normal will send a pic . Its the covered plate in the middle with the same sort of things to the right only they are sticking out there cover

Attached thumbnail(s)

nope thats perfectly normal for those white bits to be sticking out, as they are insulators.

I have also noticed in that pic, you have a nick in the plastic covering tube going to the ignition amplifier ... red/white wire (that goes from the IA to the coil/tacho) you might wanna seal that up as moisture will creep up and cause contact problems :)

Matt

Well spotted Matt ,thanks :beer: