I searched for a similar thread; apologies if I overlooked it. My 1995 850 GLT (52K highway miles, OBD I) was running like a top 3 days ago cruising the freeway at 60 mph when the check engine light illuminated. I parked overnight, drove the next day uneventfully, then pulled code 231 that night. As I attempted to clear the code, there was a flurry of clicking from the driver's side of the engine compartment, and multiple LED flashes that I was unprepared to record. I disturbed nothing under the hood otherwise. The next day she won't start. Code 231 is the only code from port 2 (didn't have time to check other ports). Very strange anemic turning over, almost as if the starter is engaging poorly, and an occasional cough as she "tries" to start. Is a defective O2 sensor capable of causing this abrupt problem? Any help greatly appreciated!

 

Hi Goyo and welcome to the site.

2-3-1 is Adaptive HO2S Control, Engine Running Too Lean at Part Load.

I don't think an O2 sensor can cause a car to fail to start.

You need to get back under there than check for more codes. Also, you should have a OBD-II port under your coin holder. That may be a little easier for you.

 

Thanks, rspi. Which ports should I check besides #2? And I thought OBD-II didn't happen til 1996? I have it on my 1998 V70, and it obviously gives way more info. If I have OBD-II on the 850, I feel pretty stupid. I'll check for sure when I get back home in 2 days. I appreciate your help!

 

I'm not really that good with the OBD-I port test since I mainly use the OBD-II. If you don't have the OBD-II I can dig into my manual for the info for you. Just let me know.

 

You can just barely see it in the upper left corner of the photo above the shifter but that's the coin holder and under that is the connector for the OBDII tester.

 

you'll have the OBDII port on your '95. my '94 has one.

 

I checked out all the suggestions kindly offered by the community--THANK YOU! I was indeed successful in clearing the codes after pulling 231. Both the under-hood OBD I and the console OBD II readouts are now 111. But no soap with all of the maneuvers suggested. I called Artworks in Tacoma (independent Volvo shop) and asked what else I could check before biting the bullet and getting a tow. Art immediately suggested that the process may have triggered a software glitch which resulting in flooding. He recommended I pull the plugs, drop a few cc's of motor oil in the cylinders, then crank like the dickens with the accelerator pedal to the metal. After multiple sustained cranking efforts (interruptions to keep the starter happy), she finally started (with clouds of grey smoke from the extra oi--which was apparently suggested to help compression as the flooding had washed oil from the cylinders, and lower compression was compromising the startup). So now I have only to deal with 231. Art says I should check all the vacuum hoses. He said the hose from the coolant reservoir to the engine block is a frequent culprit. I pulled that one--it's a bit swollen, and I will replace it, but I see no cracks. I know there is a purge valve hose connected to the fuel tank that often fails in V70's; I assume that happens with 850's as well (kinda tough to access--just inside passenger side rear wheel). Suggestions for others I should check? Simply because of the age of my cars (1995 850, 52K miles, 1998 V70, 192K miles) this would seem to be good incentive to proceed with that part of preventive maintenance. How many hoses are appropriate to replace under these circumstances? Which are proprietary Volvo vs. off the rack at the local auto parts store? Or best online sources? Thanks again, you guys are great!

 

great to hear and tacoma WA? if you fill your tank does gas leak from the top of the tank?

 

Yup, WA. I haven't observed a gas leak anywhere, Shelby. Would that be a clue to defective hoses?

 

I wonder how often that happens? low compression / fail starts after cranking a lot. I was trying to help a friend get his car (Altima) started after replacing a fuel pump and couldn't figure it out.

 

I have a 95 850 GLT NA. I have used the OBDI successfully many times. I know about the OBDII port under the coin holder. I tried to scan from this port with the setup I have with my PC and nothing. I have used this unit with my 2001 Malibu and 2003 Mercedes successfully.

Look forward to suggestions.

Thank you

 

What is code 231 ??

I haven't had a car I've pulled codes on ever not start after reading the computer and I do it almost daily. If all you did was read the stored data there isn't anything you can do to the system to cause a problem.

Unless ...... you did it with the OBDII port and your were jumping pins, I've seen people take out ECM's or their tester that way if they jump the wrong pins plus I don't think there is a "right" way to try that on any OBDII port.

The reason I say that is we loaned a tester to some clod who jumpered it into his OBDII port and fried out our tester. I have no clue what he was trying to do as it would have just plugged in but my guess was he read something half way on the internet and was trying to "adjust" something.

 

To dbcheckwith and Kiss4aFrog et al: 231 is "Long term fuel trim part load"--whatever that means. I had pulled the code from the OBDI port under hood, and there was a small storm of activity on the driver's side of the hood as I cleared the code. Reminded me of the startup sequence a hottub computer goes through after a power outage. I pulled the plugs, put a few cc's of oil in each cylinder, replaced the plugs, then cranked like the dickens. After she restarted, she is once again purring like a kitten. And the check engine light remains off! I didn't go to the OBDII port until AFTER clearing the codes under the hood (and the minor seizure as above)--I jumped nothing (the OBDII reader cable mates perfectly with the OBDII port on the console, so I know of no reason to do anything but plug and play). The OBDII readout was negative. So--go figger. Sunspots? Electronic gremlins?