My car was running fine. I went into the store. Came out like 45 minutes later and she wouldn't start. She was acting like she was out of gas. So much so, if fact, that I went to a filling station and bought a gas can and 2 gallons. Still no start. She would fire once and then just cranking and no fire.

I had her towed to a shop. They tested for spark, vacuum, fuel pressure, etc.. All good.

The mechanic recommended a tune-up. That sounded like a screw job to me. I did get it started and drove it home from the shop. I had to keep pumping the accelerator to keep it running.

I am at a loss here. What do I check next?

Fuel regulator? Where is it? O2 sensor? Where is it?

I can't afford to just throw parts at this car. I need a few hints guys.

Thanks!

 

Have you checked the fuel relay? Could be a fubared ignition coil..also as others have stated could be the MAF.

Definitely check coil and relay first. All three have happened to me so ask me how I know

Good luck. ps - check fuel pump also....

 

The first thing you need to check is the 25 amp fuse located near the head light relay on the drivers side,clean the fuse blades and the holder.If that doesn't fix the problem jump fuse #4 to fuse #6 this will bypass the fuel pump relay.If your still having problems, with the key in the off position, unplug the air mass meter and start the car, it should start right up and have a good idle.If you plug it back in (with key in off pos)and car is hard to start or won't idle amm is probably bad.If all this fails,it could be the biodegradable wiring harness the 86's are famous for.


Dan

 

clean your throttle body. a dirty tb will cause a car to idle/run poorly. i think it is recommended that you clean at every air filter change. my 90 740 turbo would only stay running if i kept foot on gas (it would not idle). at suggestion of board i cleaned my tb and have not had a problem since.

 

I am thinking it is the AMM. Try what Turbo 245 said and report back.

 

mass air flow sensor would some times cause that problem but deffenatly check the relays and the fuel injectors and fuses

 

If this is a B230 engine, go to www.stepbystepvolvo.com for free guide to 740 (B230) no-starts. This is for a complete no-start, not sometimes start.

 

having owned three of these (84, 92, 93) - strongly suspect the fuel pump relay and fuse corrosion on that circuit. Can't tell you how many times this has happened to me.

 

I did as 245turbo suggested and pulled the plug on the amm. The car runs much better. Actually keeps running. I suspect that the amm in the problem. Looking through the amm I can see that the platinum wires are still intact. Is there another way to test this part before I get the dealer**** to order me a new one for $400?

 

Used AMM's are cheap from junkyards or ebay.

 

Just bought a used bosch amm on ebay for $35. Thanks for the tip Bubba!

 

I gaurente you that it is the mass air flow sensor. This sensor is found on the intake line right after the filter box. they are around $300 to replace, but you can probably find the part pretty cheap ($150ish) and i think they have them on IPD. I have a '85 240 and this has happened to me twice. first thing to check is unplug the plug from the top of it by pressing on the little wire retainer clip. if the car starts, but runs roughly, than it is definitely the MAF sensor. First thing to try for a solution would be to clean it, only clean it with MAF Sensor Cleaner (they have it at any auto parts store and the directions are on the can. If not, replace it and remember to keep cleaning every 6 months or so, and you should be problem free.

 

I got a new Amm in the mail yesterday. I ran right out to stick it in and test it out. No go. The car behaves the same as it did with the old AMM in place.

I think I have had it with this car. Too much time and money down the drain. It's a pretty heavy car I wonder what the scrap value is?

 

but....having it unplugged, the car starts?

 

cbevis,

it starts but I can't keep it running enough to drive it