I had my '89 240 off the road for 2 yrs. (started it occasionally) recently registered and it ran reasonably well -- but would sometimes cut out briefly upon accelerating. Suddenly would barely start --managed to pop and sputter the 2 miles home.
I diagnosed faulty tank pump --replaced it along with main pump and filter.
Now will start and run fine (with gas peddle up) for a few seconds --then die.
I cracked gas line under hood at pressure regulator -seems fully pressured--and will pump gas out well with line off.
Could faulty air mass sensor cause this big an issue -as suggested by FCP? I do have a spare 240 parts car (and know the engine ran well (prior to friend frying his auto tranny). -- thought I'd ask for ideas prior to changing air mass sensor. -- any other ideas ? I'm not a skilled electrical diagnostician -so haven't touched ECU yet --oh I did change pressure regulator --to no avail.
--nearest Volvo shop is 35 miles away --but may decide to have it hauled there anyway if saga continues-- thanks, cary398

 

Try fuel pump relay...happend to me before too. But MAF is possible also.

 

Two things to check -- (1) the 25-amp fuse holder on the left fender behind the battery. Clean it up. (2) The crank position sensor (RPM sensor) mounted at the top of the bell housing. Hard to get to. Take a look at the wiring and make sure it's not frayed. The CPS is a known problem area.

 

Thanks for the input - I did check out all the above early on after the issue degraded to the "hardly runs" category. ---all that is except the crank sensor. I didn't know about this sensor that someone suggested to me. After wiggling the wires at the sensor site (top of bell housing) --the car ran much better!!--I ultimately removed the sensor --and the wiring coming out of the sensor was a frayed mess--bare wires etc.
--So I hope my new sensor arrives today -- and that I can post happy results soon. Thanks, Cary