I have a 1997 850 T5 wagon, stalled out Monday night at a light when I started to give it a little gas, and it restarted immediately. Drove to a grocery store, it stalled in parking lot, coasted into parking space. Shopped for 20 minutes, restarted and immediately stalled. Waited 5-10 minutes, restarted and gunned it, drove two miles, got stuck at light and stalled as I was about to give it gas and go. Parked car off side of road, would not restart, battery died, got a jump, would not hold charge. Left car for 4 hours, came back, started it and gunned it all the way home. Have since then replaced air filter, checked fuel filter, changed out oil (it was a bit sludgy,oops!). The car will start every time but will stall out within 2 minutes unless it is constantly getting gas. Not very knowledgeable about cars but know a guy who is and is willing to check it out, any suggestions where to start? I do not have much money to spend on car right now...so Thanks in advance for any info!!!

 

Check all intercooler hoses and the idle motor.

 

+1 to what tech said. Also, you said you checked the fuel filter, I would suggest replacing it and at the same time looking for any fuel line leaks. Lastly, could you have gotten a bad tank of gas??

 

Visit a local AutoZone or equivalent and have them pull codes via OBD-II; this is free. Then, let us know what codes you have so we can have a diagnosis party.

If your 850 has more than 130,000 miles, I would consider getting a rebuilt Bosch alternator; Pep-boys sells them with lifetime warranty.


JPN

 

Tech is the man, Pso...and JPN are very good too. Listen to those guys! Also, worth considering mine was doing exactly the same thing, might not have happened like yours....but mine ended up being the MAF! You may also want to clean the IACV... Before you buy a new maf go get some MAF cleaner and give it a shot...