Hey vbel, it kind of seemed like new spark plugs actually did fix the problem. At least it didn't reoccur at all for maybe 5 months (right up to the point where it badly overheated on the freeway and cracked the head, leading to a one-way trip to the junkyard). So if you haven't pulled the plugs yet...

I've got a brand new, genuine Volvo control arm (right side), but my 850 got sent to the great beyond before I had a chance to install it. $162 at FCP Groton, which is where I got it. I'll sell it for $100, plus actual shipping charges.
This is the part.

If you haven't pulled the spark plugs already, it might be helpful to check the electrode shape and gap to make sure they are OK. Just finished installing new plugs. The old ones were really worn with an oversize gap. Not even sure how long they've been in there. Don't know if this is going to fix ...

My most accomplished shade tree mechanic pal thinks it may be related to bad sensor in a cold-start circuit: I would guess that there is a cold start mode of some kind that gives the extra gas or an extra hot spark when it’s cold. When you first start it, this works well. But, when the car is partia...

jreed, I haven't thought of that, but I'll check it out. I've been poring through old forum discussions; seems like most of the things that cause warm-start problems either will set a code or are in the fuel system. With me getting no codes, and (I think) having normal fuel pressure, I'm kind of at ...

I haven't tried anything with the fuel pump relay; I've been assuming that fuel isn't the problem, because I find pressure at the fuel rail even when it won't start. I'm not entirely sure what the fuel pump sounds like, but when I put the key in the on position I do hear a low whirring for about 2 o...

I've had an intermittent problem with my 1996 850 wagon (base model, no turbo) sometimes not starting. I think I've finally figured out the set of conditions: Cold start at home, then a short (5 to 10) minute drive on local streets, then short rest (often in the parking lot of Home Depot) for 10 or ...

Well, it's becoming much more frequent now that the car won't start. It cranks fine for maybe 3 seconds, then stops cranking, as if the battery is dead ... but it isn't; I can try over and over again to crank it, though each time it stops by itself after a few seconds. Eventually it will catch and s...

Osmium & JRL, did the dealer cut a duplicate of your existing key, or create a brand new cut from the VIN/key code? Great prices either way, but awesome price if it's a new cut from the code. Lee, I can't say if Darrell Waltrip has changed their shipping policy; this is the first time that I've ...

Got if from Darrell Waltrip Volvo. $25 plus $10 shipping.