My recently purchased 91 Volvo 240 idles low in Park like it is fighting to stay alive, but when I put it in reverse or drive it runs amazingly. Occasionally it will die immediately after started.

It has only died once while driving (right after I got gas), but I think I may have revved the gas too much.

The check engine light comes on when the car stalls, but not before. And this last time today the service light came on too.

The car always starts up the 2nd or 3rd time just fine. I have a 30 day warranty on the transmission and engine, but everything else is on me.

The car itself is in immaculate condition with all service records and one owner, I mean the paint and interior are still sparkling. Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

Update: Just noticed that the car stalls in neutral as well as park. Also, it seems the problem is getting worse. Although if I keep my foot slightly on the gas and then switch into drive the car runs great as long as I can get it in to drive before it stalls.

 

There should be a code reader in the engine bay on the car??

Check codes. You might need to adjust the idle speed.

do you smell fuel when you start it up?

wait for the experts to get on....

 

I had a friend look at the car and it looks like the idle just needs to be increased. Can anyone give me instructions on how to do that? Thanks!

 

I don't smell gas...can you tell me where to locate the code reader? I will post the code when I figure it out. I am thinking the idle speed is all that it needs...maybe a complete tune up? Thanks for the response.

 

http://www.troublecodes.net/Volvo/

 

You manually adjust the idle using this thumbscrew ...

 

So I checked it out and I can't find that thumb screw...Here are some images. Thanks for taking the time to do this.

 

So after reading here:
http://www.brickboard.com/FAQ/700-90...itchAdjustment
Its sounds like my LH2.2 car has the thumbscrew and your LH2.4 (89+) car does not. I would start by cleaning your throttle body and the air control valve.

 

Hi everyone, Just an update, I checked the codes and they come up clean.

 

So it turns out the throttle body just need an adjustment. Thanks everyone for your replies. This was my first step in learning about my car. Someday I will be a master! Haha....we'll see.

 

yes young grass hopa...! you mucsh to learn....eat sweedish food...you get smarter...

 

I am not racist....I make fun of my own race too....

I smash tortillas and pour milk on them and call it Corn Flakes...the Salvadoran breakfast..

 

So I should eat more Swedish fish then?....I am now catching on.

 

I am not sure how old this post is, but my 1990 240 is having the same dying in park issue. As soon as I start it up I have to shift into drive or it dies, it runs fine after that until I shift into park again then I have about 5 seconds to turn it off before it dies on its own. It was dying when driving, but I replaced the crank shaft sensor (then the completely clogged flame trap), and now it is not dying in drive. I noticed someone asked, and I can smell fuel when the engine is running, and I seem to be getting poor gas mileage. Any help would be great thanks.

 

this thread was about 18 months old.

please start a new thread so we don't confuse different issues...