I have a 96 volvo 850 non turbo, after work went to car started up just fine. left it running while i made a text, noticed that all by itself it revved up to over 2 grand. i turned the car off and then started it again. had trouble getting it started, finally did, ran fine for a minute then died again. low on fuel made it to gas station put 5 gallons in it. drove it to an intersection where it died again and wouldnt start without a fight. once it was running i had to keep the gas held to increase rpms. although it was still stall out and died. had to push it to parking lot. Car has no check engine lights on, and has not given me any problems. any ideas would be great. thanks

 

Check for spark from the coil and if it's there, check at the plug end.

The fact that it surged could indicate that the IAC (idle air control motor) might be sticking too far open. It might be sticking too far open or closed which will make the idle unstable and can kill it and or make starting difficult or impossible. You might want to pull it and clean it out if it's been a while or done at all. Always remember to keep the motor end "UP" so cleaning fluid and the crap you are cleaning out doesn't get a chance to get up into the motor.

Might want to do the throttle plate while you're at it. You need to use a throttle body cleaner on the TB but you can also use it on the IAC.

Once you started to drive it how was it running (off idle) ?? Smooth or rough ?? Normal power or weak ??

 

thanks, yeah i noticed a broken vac line from the pcv and replaced it, also cleaned the MAF and the IAC it started and ran fine after that so hopefully that the issue.

Another question on the idle of the 850 on my RPM gauge there is the 0 indicator line, the just above it is another indicator line with no numbers, then there is the 1 indicator line. I noticed that mine has also idled at just below the 1 mark. So i would say about 900-950 rpms. should it be at the 5-600 rpms which i am assuming is the line between with no number marking.

 

Also sounds the typical fuel pump relay dying.