Hello everyone.

I bought a 1988 740 GLE wagon from the original owner who has had the same problem for last year. When you try to start the car it might start right up when warm but after sitting for 8 hours I have to remove fuel pump fuse let her start and replace the fuse. Some times when the fuse is replaced she will sputter then idle normal. Once running is great. I have replaced, the exhaust resinator, catalytic, muffler, fuel filter, plugs, wires, distributor but the issue persists. Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Eric

 

You can start the car without the fuel pump fuse?

 

Yes, for some reason the previous owner told me to remove fuse #1 and turn the key when I see the RPM go to 1000 rpm replace fuse one very quickly. If timed right the car remains on with even idle and drives great. If I miss time the replacement of the fuse the Volvo cuts off or does not start.
Everyone is stumped. Any ideas would be helpful.

 

I bought a 1988 740 GLE wagon from the original owner who has had the same problem for last year. When you try to start the car it might start right up when warm but after sitting for 8 hours I have to remove fuel pump fuse let her start and replace the fuse. Some times when the fuse is replaced she will sputter then idle normal. Once running is great. I have replaced, the exhaust resonator, catalytic, muffler, fuel filter, plugs, wires, distributor but the issue persists. Any thoughts?
The previous owner told me to remove fuse #1 and turn the key when I see the RPM go to 1000 rpm replace fuse one very quickly. If timed right the car remains on with even idle and drives great. If I miss time the replacement of the fuse the Volvo cuts off or does not start. Everyone is stumped. Any ideas would be helpful. If I restart the car before bed and wake up early the car will start just fine. It is only when it sits for over 7-8 hours the car will have this starting issue.

 

I wonder how he ended up with this procedure? Must have taken some trial and error! You can put me in the 'stumped' column.
Any weird "custom" wiring adventures in this car?
Any sign of disintegrating wiring insulation? '88s are not prone to that but who knows?

 

Hey Lev - I believe there was a TSB for the regular 740 to rewire the cold start injector so it fires only when cranking. Do you know if that TSB applied to the GLE? Perhaps removing the fuse was a way of keeping the cold start injector out of the start process.

Plausible???

 

Thank you for reading my post. I noticed MSD ignition box and coil had been replaced also the wiring looks tidy and new in the engine compartment. I did notice on the fuse and relay box had all good fuses and the relays look newer than 88. There is an aftermarket red wire with an inline fuse that I am not sure what it is connected to. The fuse is not blown so I have left it alone. While driving the car I have placed my hand on the relays and the one all the way to the driver side feels like it is warm to the touch.
Eric

 

Thank you. What is a TBS?

 

There is one aftermarket non oem wire with a inline fuse in a waterproof cap. I am not sure where it comes from of where it goes, I can only see the fuse part that rests in the fuse-box area inside the car.

 

I am going to try and locate source of the wire. I will post later.