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Car Forum / Volvo Cars / December 2005

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re: 1993 240 DL Wagon rough idle on start

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doc@nospam.org - 16 Dec 2005 00:32 GMT
Hello All:

Weather has turned a bit chilly here (about minus 10 degrees farenheit
last night.)  The car is in an isulated but unheated garage.

Started it up this morning and as usual it idled very roughly as if
running on only a cylinder or two. Was in a hurry so pulled it out of
the garage and was going to let it warm up, but then realised I'd
forgotten to close the bathroom door (essential with several terriers
in the house) so shut it off and went back in the house.

Came back out a minute later and it tried to start and nearly fired
but didn't.

After waiting a minute or two it started and then idled roughly for a
minute and I was on my way.

By the way, once the temps fell below 20 degrees farenheit the rough
idle was an everyday situation--but generally only for a minute or
less.

Vehicle in question is a US model and the alternator and battery are
new and starter performs flawlessly.

Recently tested the AMM and it seems good.

Goes without saying before winter I replaced plugs, filters, oil
change etc.

I'll think about possible causes tonight but will appreciate any
constructive comments.

One thought I had is that the airbox thermostat may be bad and thus
stuck in an open position.

Seems pretty clear it is an issue related to the FI system rather than
ignition--but who knows.

I'll be taking it in to a friend's shop tomorrow to do some other work
on it while when he has a free lift and do plan on cleaning the
throttle body but would like any other advice.

Cheerio,

Doc
James Sweet - 16 Dec 2005 02:48 GMT
> Hello All:
>
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
>
> Recently tested the AMM and it seems good.

How did you test the AMM? Usually the only real test is to swap it or
unplug it and see if conditions improve.
Randy G. - 16 Dec 2005 05:23 GMT
>> Hello All:
>>
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
>How did you test the AMM? Usually the only real test is to swap it or
>unplug it and see if conditions improve.

Agreed. Unless it has totally failed the tests outlined in the shop
manuals and reading the OBD codes is fairly worthless. Swapping is the
only way to be sure. BTDT!!!

            __  __
    Randy & \ \/ /alerie's
             \__/olvos
'90 245 Estate  -  '93 965 Estate
  "Shelby"     &      "Kate"
doc@nospam.org - 18 Dec 2005 01:56 GMT
>>> Hello All:
>
>>> Recently tested the AMM and it seems good.

Should have mentioned I bench tested the AMM and it passed and is to
spec.

>>How did you test the AMM? Usually the only real test is to swap it or
>>unplug it and see if conditions improve.

Well..not sure if I totally agree with that but do have a new AMM and
swapped it in--yet it did not solve the issue.

>Agreed. Unless it has totally failed the tests outlined in the shop
>manuals and reading the OBD codes is fairly worthless. Swapping is the
>only way to be sure. BTDT!!!

Replaced the airbox thermostat today and will wait for weather to get
colder again and keep you posted.

Cheerio,

Doc

>             __  __
>     Randy & \ \/ /alerie's
>              \__/olvos
>'90 245 Estate  -  '93 965 Estate
>   "Shelby"     &      "Kate"
James Sweet - 18 Dec 2005 09:30 GMT
>>>How did you test the AMM? Usually the only real test is to swap it or
>>>unplug it and see if conditions improve.
>
> Well..not sure if I totally agree with that but do have a new AMM and
> swapped it in--yet it did not solve the issue.

If there's a way to test the AMM without specialized test equipment
please enlighten us. I've replaced a few of them, I've not yet seen one
that had any visible defect
Michael Pardee - 18 Dec 2005 13:56 GMT
>>>>How did you test the AMM? Usually the only real test is to swap it or
>>>>unplug it and see if conditions improve.
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> enlighten us. I've replaced a few of them, I've not yet seen one that had
> any visible defect

I've often wondered if we could test the basic operation by putting a
voltmeter on the output and seeing what it was giving at idle, at a specific
low cruise, etc. and comparing that with the readings of one that works. I'd
think the voltages would either be way off or would be jumping around.
Unfortunately, I haven't found a good way of connecting to it.

Mike
James Sweet - 18 Dec 2005 18:59 GMT
> I've often wondered if we could test the basic operation by putting a
> voltmeter on the output and seeing what it was giving at idle, at a specific
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> Mike

That's a problem I've encountered as well. It'd be nice too if there was
a good description of what each pin on it does too, it's a lot easier to
diagnose something if you know what to look for.
Randy G. - 20 Dec 2005 21:27 GMT
>> I've often wondered if we could test the basic operation by putting a
>> voltmeter on the output and seeing what it was giving at idle, at a specific
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>a good description of what each pin on it does too, it's a lot easier to
>diagnose something if you know what to look for.

I think that with the necessary accuracy of the signal from the AMM at
various airflows  and at a wide range of temperatures, the testing rig
could get quite expensive. I think that it just might be more
economical to just keep some good spares on hand. Even if you had some
good way to test one at idle, it would be difficult to accurately test
its linearity through the RPM range.

            __  __
    Randy & \ \/ /alerie's
             \__/olvos
'90 245 Estate  -  '93 965 Estate
  "Shelby"     &      "Kate"
 
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