I bought an 89 740GL about a month ago. The check engine light has always remained on, with no apparent problems. A couple of days ago the service light came on after I started it. The light went off after about a minute of driving, so I didn't think too much of it. The next day the service light came on again after starting and then went out after about a minute of driving. I had to stop for gas, so I shut the car off while filling. When I tried starting the car afterwards, I had to crank it over for at least 5 seconds and lightly tap on the gas pedal to bring it to a sputtering start. Now I've noticed that whenever the car is warm it has a rough start. Before this all started I ordered a new rotor, cap and plugs(no wires, they were just replaced by PO). This will probably not fix the problem, I ordered these to do a tune-up. This seems like more of a sensor problem, am I right? Any suggestions? Thanks in advance, Scott.
P.S. Once started, the car runs without any problems.

 

Mass air flow seems to be the popular responce to this issue. Also, have the shop pull the codes on the engine to see if anything seems a bit off.

 

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


or pull the codes yourself and go from there.

Every time I have spent a little time and effort I have been able to solve my volvo's problems.

 

Where does one get that little unit to pull the codes? I want one

 

There is a Box under the hood on the car that you use.
Yours on the 240 should be on the drivers side Strut Tower.

 

Right...but were do you get the computer to read the codes? What's it even called anyway? I don't want to go to the dealer to find out what Geeves is trying to tell me....i want to learn how to speak Volvo.

 

But you don't need one. There is a Black box under there. And once you remove the cover you wil see a wire and holes with Numbers. Follow link from above to learn how to pull codes.

If your car is older than 85 I think then it won't have one.

 

hey, thanks. i didn't know it was that easy to check the codes. i thought for sure you needed a computer to check them.

 

The computer was not needed on Volvo's till 1996 and Some 1995 models.

 

the is already in there? I can't find mine....i'll look harder.

 

I will try to click a pic of where it is supposed to be.