Hi there,
I have a 1996 850 (non turbo). the car has been sputtering out and stalling whenever I start it, I usually have to start it about a dozen times before it finally catches and idles steady, when running it seems to surge under heavy acceleration (ie:going up a hill)
after searching through the forums I came up with a list of possible fixes #1 being cleaning the MAF Sensor. I dismantled the entire air box right to the engine block and couldn't find it. Is this possible? there is only so much hose between the air box and the engine, I'm sure its not there. Is it possible that I don't have one?

 

I also checked for codes with a generic scanner...no codes

 

Do you know what a MAF is? If you didn't have a MAF your car would barely run and idel horribly.

 

Sounds strange I know, but it's not there. I dismantled the whole air intake looking for it. As I mentioned I have a non turbo model (B5252s I believe).
Does the non-turbo still require the MAF sensor?

generally I'll start the car, its takes off and then sputters and and shakes so bad that I have to turn it off. Then its really difficult to start, either cranks over but doesn't start up or fires and sputters out again. eventually it will catch and rev to about 1500 rpm then drop to a smooth idle around 900, at that point I can drive but I have the surging issue when starting from a stop, or accelerating. I've gone over the forums but I'm stumped, o2 sensor was going to be my next guess.

 

gilber33...whos car is that pic? Its not yours I know. Whoevers it is, the firewall seal that mates up the the hood can be used as a trim around the intake box. Its a cheap, nice looking, nice sealing part you can get from a wrecker.

 

Cam Sensor?

 

You seriously can't find it? And yeah, NAs still require a MAF, look in the picture, I circled the maf. If it didn't have a MAF, it would start and sputter all the time. Did it just start doing it, or has it been happening ever since you owned it? Take a picture of your engine bay and post it on here.


boxpin, it's someones car off VS. Not sure who's, but I just remembered that it had an obvious shot of the MAF.

 

I did some hunting, the 5252s engines are were only sold in Canada and Europe they are a 10 valve with no MAF sensors. I was thinking it was my o2 sensor since I had the surging issue, 180 bucks is a lot to spend if its not the case though.

 

My 95 n.a. wagon does not have a MAF sensor. It has a MAP sensor instead which is mounted somewhere near the firewall. I suspect yours is the same.

 

ahhhh, I'll check that out. Ever have it act up on you?
Thanks

 

No trouble from it. As far as I know, its non-serviceable. I think it was put on cars destined for harsh climates. Tech knows something about it I think. Might have been him who imformed me when I couldn't find the MAF.

 

Generic stuff but I would make sure you don't have a vacuum leak at the intake manifold and with all the associated hoses. Fuel filter been changed lately?

 

Haven't changed the filter, I guess that will go on the list. I also noticed today that the cooling fan kicks in when I try to start it, seems odd when the car is cold.

 

changed the fuel filter and she started up no problem. I think that was the problem, haven't test drove it yet. fingers crossed.

 

Nice if its something that easy

 

blasted down the highway last night, car is as smooth as ever. Its great to have the ol'volvo back!
thanks for all your input!