Hi all. I have a few questions/problems about my Volvo I was hoping I could get some help for!

First of all, I was wondering if anyone would know what would cause my engine to run too rich?

And also, sometimes when I lock my door (with the key, I don't have aremote and don't know if I even have keyless entry) the hazard lights will flash for 30 seconds or so and turn off. It doesn't do this all the time, it is just random. Also, what would cause my passenger door to only open when it feels like it? Sometimes it won't open from the inside or outside, and sometimes it does. it's a little awkward when you and your friend try to get out of the car and his door doesn't open for whatever reason.

Also, when I fill up my gas tank, it only lasts for about 170 miles.

 

First what year and model is the car (I assume its a 960)

 

Oh, I'm sorry. I was in such a hurry I forgot to include the basics. It's a 1996 960 Sedan.

 

Is the check engine light on?
There could be about 50 different things that could cause it to run rich.

If the hazard lights flash it has an alarm and the horn must be bad.
For it going off and the lock issue maybe a bad relay or door lock assembly.

 

Yes, the check engine light is on. Autozone said it could be the MAF, O2 sensors, or a few other things. I just don't want to replace all these things and it not be any one of them. Also, the horn on my car works just fine, so if the hazards are flashing because its the alarm going off, I'm not sure why the horn isn't.

I do have another concern.
I notice that when I make a left turn (not really a left turn, just 'bearing' left on a curve) that my front left tire feels like its shaking. Any idea what this is?

 

Usually if the Mass Flow is bad then the car runs like crap.
It might be the O2 sensor.

The Alarm has its own horn that isn't working.

I would look at the Lower control arms for the shaking.

 

Any idea what would cause the alarm to set off? I don't have a keyless entry fob, but does this mean my car has keyless entry?

Also, I'm a complete car idiot, but is it possible for a layman to change the O2 sensor? Is there more than one like some cars?

 

You should have keyless on your car. If the drivers door lock isn't working properly then it might not be shutting the alarm off and when you open the door it goes off.

Yours should have one O2 but might have 2 there was a cut off for 1 or 2 somewhere there you would have to look. It is pretty easy to replace.

 

Where are they located? (the sensors)

 

Would the catalytic converter cause my engine to run too rich?

 

If you have 2 O2 sensors one should be before the Cat and the other after the Cat.

If the cat as bad then yes but bad O2 sensors will as well.
Usually is a bad O2 is left to long it will mess up the Cat.

 

I agree with Tech. If the O2 sensors are bad they will reak havoc with your mileage. When they went on my 97 960, I went from 20-21 mpg to 15-16 mpg. As for the door lock/alarm issue, check the door switches. If one of them is bad, the alarm will think it is open.