Ok, so I've researched this already here and other forums via google search and am on the right track yet confused at the same time.

Patient- 1995 Volvo 850 Turbo
Mileage- 175K + (exact mileage unknown due to odometer gear failure) but under 200K

Symptoms:
-Wouldn't start 1 time. Finally got it to turn over after 10 minutes of intermittent attempts.
-Stalled at red lights multiple times
-Stalled at 35 mph and 20 mph last 2 occasions.
-All stalling occasions, takes a few minutes to get it to start back up.

There's no pattern to when this happens. Its my wife's car and the kid hauler. I've had it not start on me 1 time in July. After 10 minutes of trying to start the car every couple of minutes, it finally came to life.

I've had it stall on me 1 time at a red light (august). Slight incline position, low on fuel. Thinking fuel pump at the time. Car stalled out, took 2 or 3 attempts to restart. Drove to the gas station, fueled up, good for a while.

My wife has had it stall out a few times after accelerating at a green light, same issue, couple attempts to start and then it goes, but the last 2 times have been at driving speeds of 20 and 35. Both with 3/4 full tank and the kids in the car.

Now I'm at the point that I have the possible causes, but not sure what is most likely since it is intermittent. Plugged my ScangaugeII in to try and pull codes (CEL doesn't work), no codes have popped up yet though I know there is at least 1. Decided I would just pull codes from the OBD1 but..... the button portion of the port is MIA so I am stuck waiting for the codes to eventually show on the Scangauge. Originally thought Fuel Pump, researched that which lead me to Fuel Pump Relay which then brought me to the Camshaft positioning sensor.

Reading the Fuel Pump relay causes the car to stall but will start easily right afterward. Not really sure if 2 or 3 attempts is considered easily or not. Figured I'd attempt to locate one at the junk yard if possible. 50 to order a new one.

Camshaft PS seems to cause hard starts, stalling at low speeds.

So I'm scratching my head as to what I should shoot at first or if there's another possibly cause I'm not seeing. Not being able to pull codes is irritating and I don't want to blindly throw money at it, yet, cant troubleshoot when its intermittent and rarely happens when I'm behind the wheel. Been watching RSPI's how to videos for the how to fix it in preparation to that point.

Suggestions?

 

Can you press the OBD1 button using a pen tip or paper clip etc? Otherwise you may need to visit a dealer or get a VIDA tool.

My first thought is to check/clean the MAF sensor and the idle air control valve, and look for any vacuum leaks/torn hoses. You can try measuring fuel pressure using the schraeder valve on the fuel rail or try jumpering the fuel pump relay (typically a weak fuel pump relay limits fuel pressure and may change behavior as the relay warms up. if you pull the relay you will see two small spades and two large ones (the large connect the power to the pump, the key and engine speed activate the small spades to tell the pump to go on). Replacing the relay is easy enough (shop FCP or eEuro parts to save some $$ on a replacement).

 

Cam sensor.

 

Cam sensor or fuel pump

 

Does a 1988 non-turbo with distributor have a cam sensor?

 

there's a hall sensor on the distributor model cars (aka impulse sensor) as well as an ignition module. Not uncommon for the hall sensors to go leading to a no spark condition. Best to post 740 questions on the 740/940 model board to get more views and replies.

 

So, Hans, did you find a solution? My first guess would be the fuel pump relay. Keep a few good used ones in the glove box. Probably about $6 each at Pull A Part. If that doesn't work, try some of the above good suggestions.