This car was purchased 10 months ago with 147k on the dial, it now has 157k. Today when leaving the gym it started but doesnt stay running.

I have had no problems except this: About two months ago I got into my car and started it. The RPM's were jumpy; it would rev up to let's say 1000 rpm's than go down low like it was going to cut off than back up towards 1000. This happend only this once, it corrected itself right away so no need to look into it more; fast forward to today.

Any idea what I need to check? I walked home so I don't have the car to pull codes. I am thinking of having it towed back to my house to repair it myself if it's something simple.

It cranks and will fire but die right away; almost like it's not getting gas?!?!?

 

Always start simply. Fuel filter, vacuum leaks. There are many more little things you should search for on the forum.
Ed

 

https://volvoforums.com/forum/volvo-...-stalls-55928/

 

What it did once two months ago likely has little or nothing to do with your problem now.

How long will it run before it dies? Is it a couple seconds, few seconds or ??

If you pull off a vacuum line and squirt some starting fluid in and you turn it over and it runs longer with the shot of starting fluid it's likely a fuel problem. The link Rspi (above) gave you will help you through trying to figure out if it's the likely fuel pump relay or a fuel pump. There are other things but these are the most likely. You should check the fuel filter to make sure it isn't restricted and if you don't know when it was replaced last, just do it. You should always replace the filter if you need to replace a pump as it can take out a pump if it's restricted.

 

Check your coil this was my problem. Use a volt meter two bottom terminal should read 0.5-1.5 ohms and your coil to lead should read 8-9 kilohms.

 

And .... if you use the starting fluid (or drizzle in some gas) and it runs it's gas, if you still get a lot of cranking it could be ignition.

Good excuse to go with the MSD coil !!

The IPD kit or the DIY installation. Made my own mount, saved 65 bucks!

 

I have a 94 N/A wagon and I had to replace my cam sensor and my crank speed sensor. They both caused frequent stalls and only running for a few seconds. If fuel is not your problem, one of these may be.

 

Thanks everyone for the suggestion. I just got my car started and drove it home, here is what I did.

Went to local auto parts store, purchased gas can $9.99
Made a stop by the local gas station, purchased 1.25 gal of gas.
Arrived at my V and told her how much I missed her, and promised her never to leave like I did.

All jokes aside, here is what happened. Since I bought the car I always used 'miles to 0' on the computer. When my car didn't start I had '15 miles to empty' I have been using this feature consistently. Normally the computer will go to 0, than I would have about 35 miles until it runs out. When I arrived at my car, I noticed the front left tire was in a pot hole; this made my car tilt towards the front. Most likely the issue was fuel starvation.

 

You should never run your car out of gas. It could cause the fuel pump to over heat and quit on you. That's better than a $250 part. Just my 2 cents.

 

I agree, my practice of running my tank almost empty is going to stop.

 

I'm sure there's at least a gallon left in there on the bottom

 

Don't get me wrong, I see the low fuel light almost every week. Just do my best not to run out.

 

The readout stops at 15 miles.
The gas is a coolant and lubricant for the fuel pump, running out is a sure way to kill it.
Ed

 

Nope it goes down to 5 and than zero

 

No, my yellow sedan went down to 5 before it ran out 1 mile later. When I got the car I decided to test it to see how good it was. So I tossed a gas can in the trunk and kept driving. When it sputtered I pulled over at the next safe place and added a couple of gallons.

Haven't tested this wagon, I know I have seen 20 but at that the needle is very low. I'm a little concerned about messing up the pump to test it but I think you really do bad by trying to start it over and over again while it's empty. Example: keep driving after it starts to sputter and trying to start it 20 times when you know you're out of gas.

 

Sorry, ed7 is correct; you just took at least 50k mls off the life of your fuel pump; might want to keep a spare in the trunk!

 

Well, I sold the car so it's someone elses problem now. I just wanted to know HOW LOW CAN I GO!

 

Don't leave out those little tidbits of info that help solve a mystery, like:
by the way, the needle of my gas gauge is buried in the red...
Ed