240 mystery!

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Gordon Powell - 03 Oct 2004 21:41 GMT

Can someone please help diagnose the problem.

I have a 1991 Volvo 240 that runs fine and then, with increasing regularity,
will sputter and then just die out. After it dies I can't get it started
right away. Let it sit and rest for 10 minutes and it will start up like
nothing happened.

Is it a fuel problem? Ignition problem? Or what?

Here is what I have replaced:

Relay in main fuel pump
Fuel pump assembly inside tank
Distributor cap
Ignition wire set
Ignition module
Ignition coil
Ignition rotor
Several cans of carbureartor jet cleaner

The car will startup up just fine and then after driving for about 1/2 hour
or so it will spit and sputter and then die as I throw in the clutch to stop
at a light or stop sign. When it does that, it will not start up. Only after
resting for 10 minutes will it start up again and run for a while.

Can anyone shed some light on this mystery?

Many thanks.

Gordon

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Pat Quadlander - 03 Oct 2004 23:25 GMT

1. if you have access to a known good air mass meter, switch your out and
put this one in, and reset any 'engine service' faults. if this corrects
your problem, then it's time for a new air mass meter. though this part is
a little expensive, it's one of the easiest to diagnose.

2. if not a problem with air mass meter, then try cleaning the throttle body
and body orifices. any decent haynes manual will walk you through this.

3. last year, on my 91 240, i needed to replace some kind of idling valve.
since this was past my diagnostic skills (see #1, #2) this was diagnosed and
performed my dealer (ouch!).

> Can someone please help diagnose the problem.
>
[quoted text clipped - 26 lines]
>
> Gordon

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AJS - 04 Oct 2004 07:10 GMT

> Can someone please help diagnose the problem.

Have you checked the ECU codes to see what errors it is giving? They may
point you in the correct direction.

AJS

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Michael Cerkowski - 04 Oct 2004 09:37 GMT

> Can someone please help diagnose the problem.
>
[quoted text clipped - 26 lines]
>
> Gordon

It sounds like a restricted (clogged) fuel filter. When you shut it
off,
the line pressure slowly comes back up, only to fall again as the filter
isn't able to er, pass enough gas to supply the engine's needs.
Just a theory.

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http://www.albany.net/~mjc1/index.html

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Mike F - 04 Oct 2004 14:12 GMT

> Can someone please help diagnose the problem.
>
[quoted text clipped - 26 lines]
>
> Gordon

The only component you seem to have missed is the flywheel sensor.

Signature

Mike F.
Thornhill (near Toronto), Ont.

NOTE: new address!!
Replace tt with t (twice!) and remove parentheses to email me directly.
(But I check the newsgroup more often than this email address.)

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hipolyte - 09 Oct 2004 13:52 GMT

I purchased (for a song) an '86 Volvo 240 that had this exact problem. The
previous owner had had the car in and out of the shop, and replaced all
those things and more. He kept excellent records.
He did not mention this problem to me, but I knew 'something' would be
wrong because of the price so I was not surprised.
The car died 3 times on my drive home, and would only restart after
fifteen minutes or so.
The third time I pulled a spark plug and checked for spark. None. I
queried my network of mechanic buddies for suggestions.
It turned out to be the pickup coil, a little gadget inside the
distributor. Still running strong 5 years later.

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