I have an '88 240 wagon, non-turbo, automatic, 191,000 miles.

I've only had this a few months. Recently it has started to die when at low speed or at idle. Usually it starts right back up, but once a week ago it was a little harder, had to give it lots of gas. Than, this morning coming to work, it died while moving down the street, and it was really hard to start. I thought it wasn't going to, sat cranking it over for a good minute or so, than it finally came to life. I parked and turned it off, cranked it a couple times and it was fine.

any ideas? seems fuel related, maybe the fuel pump is going out, or ??

thanks in advance!

 

You intank pump might be bad.
How much gas is in the car?
If it is less then 1/4 tank that leans me more towards the pump.
I would also check the white fuel pump relay under the dash on the passenger side. You need to remove the lower carpet panel. Then look close to where the front firewall meets the floor to the right the relay should be there.

Also it has a date on it. If it is original you might want to replace it.

 

thanks for the quick response. unfortunately with gas prices the way they are, it does have less than a quarter of a tank, usually does. I will check the relay.

where is the intake pump? hopefully not in the gas tank or anything like that.......

 

It is in the tank but there is an access panel in the trunk. It is easy to get to and get out.
What you can do is put the car on jack stands in the rear. Remove the fuel line at the back of the main pump under the car. Then crank the motor over and see if fuel comes gushing out.

If you can try to fill it up to 1/2 or 3/4 and see if it gets better. If so for now you might be able to run it like that. Just keep filling up at 1/2 tank.

 

OK, I'll get some gas in it and see how it does. It certainly acts like something like that.

 

I would clean the 25A fuse by the coil and fuse #4. Then with it running measure the voltage on both sides of fuse 4, it should be close to 12V.

 

I am having a very similar problem (91 240). Filled mine up with gas and tried a fuel cleaner (alcohol based) but that didn't work. It finally died today and had to push her into a parking space because I couldn't get her tocatch .Now shewon't even start.

Tech: Since my problem happens regardless of amount of gas, would that point to the fuel pump as the problem?

Also, does anyone know of any good volvo shops in the Baltimore area?

Thanks again!

 

The fuel pump relay might also be bad. Check the relay and check for power to the fuel pump.

 

Well, I tried it with plenty of fuel in the tank and it is still happening. I looked for the relay, found a Bosch box on the right sidewall/passenger side. Is that the relay? Didn't see any date on it.

 

Is it a white relay with 6 connectors?

 

It was a good sized aluminum box, bigger than a cd case and definitely thicker. It was behind the plastic panel in front of the passenger door, kind of almost in the corner.

 

The fuel pump relay should be right next to it.

 

Well, I just went and looked and all I see is the alum. box with a big black connector poking out the side of it. I pulled quite a bit of the carpet back and could see nothing else. This is a wagon, does that make a difference?

 

No it doesn't make a difference. The aluminum box is the engine control module.
The relay should be right there infront of it at the firewall.
Alot of times people don't even put it back in the bracket and when you drop the lower carpet panel from the dash it falls out.

 

Found it!! Has 12 13 95 stamped on the side, guessing that is the date?

 

Yes that is.

 

If your 240 is a B230 engine, go to www.stepbystepvolvo.com for a free guide to 740 no-starts (B230 engine).

 

Hi,
sorry I haven't been back to this thread and thanks for the help.

I'm pretty sure that it is the relay and the pre-pump. The relay, of course, is easy to replace. I know that on the 240 sedan the pre-pump is accessible in the trunk, but I can't find where to to get to it in the wagon. I pulled up the carpet a little ways, looked down the in spare tire hatch, can;t find anything.
Thanks for the help!