Hello. I have an 87 740 GLE. When I bought it last year in June the owner said it was serviced regularly at a volvo shop in Seaside/Monterey and provided the paperwork. It has ran fine until now.

Recently the service engine light turns on when I start it, it seems to idle rough and then after it warms it idles HIGH. The service engine light turns off after about 2 minutes but still idles HIGH!
When I put it in to drive it will go forward without me touching the gas peddle, and I feel I need to brake harder, it wants to keep going!! If I am driving on level ground it will maintain a steady 16-20 mph without touching the gas! If I put it into park it may idle at 2000 rpms or plus.
I have noticed a difference in the sound of the car as well. This has only been happening for 2 days so I'm not quite sure how to explain the symptoms fully as well as I am a female so I don't know cars too well...
Today my brother and I found a hose with a hole in it (near the throttle cable area), which we replaced, but it is running the same, maybe worse now (like I said it's only been 2 days so I'm not 100% sure).

I don't really have the money for a mechanic so any ideas/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. If you need more information I am happy to provide, there may be a delay in my response as I work 9-5pm.

Thanks much!! And hope to hear from you!

 

Also, which type of gas would be recommend? I just use regular unleaded. But I used to have a turbo 88 740tic and was told (after it died) that I should have used super. So I don't want to make the same mistake again

Any help/suggestions is much appreciated!!

 

the service light just means its been 5000 miles since it was last reset. nothing else. its normal for the light to stay on a few minutes when you start the car, then go off.

many independent service guys forget to reset them. on my 92 740, there's a little rubber cover on the instrument panel at 7:30 below and to the left of the speedometer. pop this cover off, and press the button thats behind the hole with a pen or paperclip or something for a few seconds, and the light should be reset. do this when you change the oil

normal B230F engines run fine on regular. B230FT (Turbo) and B234F (16 valve) require premium or they will retard the ignition and run poorly.

your fast idle sounds to me like either your throttle body is a little gummed up and not completely closing, or your throttle air control valve is gummed up and not working right. these both can be take off the car, and cleaned with carb/throttle cleaner spray. inspect the rubber hoses that connect the idle air controller valve and replace if they are cracked or torn. ditto inspect the rest of your vacuum and air hoses...

 

Thank you for the reply! Much appreciated
I will give it a shot this weekend!

 

What engine do you have?. Do remember to always mention in a new thread. Check it out on the label on the timingbelt. Here is some instructions for your help. Its quite easy but you need patience. Take some pictures with a camera before you start so you know where the hoses and stuff goes. At times one gets puzzled and confused.
http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Cleaning...le+Body/3869/1
Dont forget to clean the Idle air controll valve just beneath there