Today I left the house and in less than a mile the transmission did a herky jerky sort of thing and than the engine stalled. I tried to start it after I came to a complete stop but it wouldn't start. I waited less than a minute and it started. Pulling into the driveway at the house it stalled again but this time it started without having to wait. The car did this about four to five years ago and the mechanic replaced what I am almost sure was the transmission overdrive solenoid. Am I right or was it something else that he could have replaced? I have tried to do some research but I have only heard about the overdrive not working and needing a new solenoid. I have not read anywhere that a faulty overdrive solenoid can cause the car to stall. Any help on this issue would be greatly appreciated.

 

I suspect that the mechanic replaced the fuel pump relay as it can cause these sort of symptoms. The overdrive solenoid relay only sffects shifting into 4th gear (overdrive).

Another item to check it the crank position sensor. It is responsible to sending the ECU the signal used to adjust the spark timing. Without this signal, the ECU will shut down the injectors. Sometimes when the wires on the sensor fail they make intermittant connection that could cause stalling. The CPS is located at the top of the bell housing and has a black wire that comes up to a connector on the firewall. Check this for cracking/fraying.

 

Thanks for the help act. Your diagnosis makes more sense. Is the CPS sensor also called an engine speed sensor/impulse sensor. That is the only sensor that I can find at FCP Groton that resembles it.

 

Yup - That is it.

1992-1995 Volvo 940 8-Valve Engine Speed Sensor/Impulse Sensor

Take a look at the one in your car. Is it frayed or cracking? Next time the car stalls, jiggle the wire and see if it helps. If you have a noid light, next time the car won't start, connect the light to one of the injector wires, crank the engine to see if you are getting any pulses.