Car dies and rev unusually with surges

eyeballumbrella · Post by **eyeballumbrella** » 26 Oct 2009, 07:11

For the third time today I was driving my 1998 S70 N/A and as I was slowing down/at a stop the car would surge between 0-1500 rpm (or thereabout). And today the car actually died during these surges. I also just fixed a vacuum leak so that shouldnt be the problem. Any ideas?

Thanks

Post by **jblackburn** » 26 Oct 2009, 08:35

Does it bog when you step on the gas? Could be a dirty/failing mass airflow sensor.

Wrenchinjoe · Post by **Wrenchinjoe** » 26 Oct 2009, 09:02

It is always a good idea to clean inside the throttle body. Don't drown it with cleaner spray, rather spray a rag and wipe down everything you can reach. Be especially thorough to clean the area around the throttle plate and associated linkage to make sure it is not sticking. Even if this does not solve your problem, you can at least eliminate one posibility.

Good luck,

WJ

Post by **wheelsup** » 26 Oct 2009, 13:50

I always do the cheap/free stuff first. Throw a can of seafoam in a full tank of gas, clean the TB, and check your spark plugs and wires.

You can buy a can of MAF cleaner for around $6 as well.

When my MAF failed it took a couple hundred miles to actually flag the CEL. But it was acting funny before that.

eyeballumbrella · Post by **eyeballumbrella** » 26 Oct 2009, 16:12

The car will come back to life if you rev it to keep it from dying. I know the 1999+ s70s and such had problems but this is basically a 850 car with a newer body.

Thanks

volvomileage · Post by **volvomileage** » 26 Oct 2009, 16:36

any codes ?

if no vaccum leaks i would say 3 things...

verfify fuel pressure at end of fuel rail it should be over 40 psi constant at all times..even with key at on position, my idle was up and down before my pump commited suicide...

give you maf a good cleaning with maf cleaner or electric contact cleaner never touch the element let it air dry, while you are at it give your idle valve a good cleaning thisone with carb cleaner they tend to get crap building up inside the metal tongue and they stick just spray in the openings ...those two items w ont hurt..its only going to help

please post back if it works out...

eyeballumbrella · Post by **eyeballumbrella** » 27 Oct 2009, 17:13

new info code po172 too rich bank 1 came on (again) if that helps

volvomileage · Post by **volvomileage** » 27 Oct 2009, 17:38

hello

did you have a chance to do the few steps i had mentionned earlier ?

for your code heres the description..

Causes

A code P0172 may mean that one or more of the following has happened:

* The MAF (Mass Air Flow) Sensor is dirty or faulty. Note: The use of "oiled" air filters can cause the MAF to become dirty if the filter is over-oiled. There is also an issue with some vehicles where the MAF sensors leak the silicone potting material used to protect the circuitry.
* There could be a vacuum leak
.
* There could be a fuel pressure or delivery problem

Possible Solutions

Possible solutions include:

* Inspect all vacuum and PCV hoses, replace if necessary
* Cleanthe MAF sensor. Consult your service manual for it's location if you need help. I find it's best to take it off and spray it with electronics cleaner or brake cleaner. Make sure you are careful not to damage the MAF sensor, and make sure it's dry before reinstalling
* Inspect fuel lines for cracks, leaks, or pinches
* Check the fuel pressure at the fuel rail
* Check the fuel injectors, they may be dirty. Use fuel injector cleaner or get them professionally cleaned/replaced.
* Check for an exhaust leak before the first oxygen sensor (this is unlikely to cause the problem, but it is po

http://www.obd-codes.com/p0172

best of luck

eyeballumbrella · Post by **eyeballumbrella** » 02 Nov 2009, 06:18

This weekend I cleaned out the throttle body and the MAF with some carb cleaner, but on the way to school my car did the same surging motion. Some other things I found out were that even when I was doing 50mph the car surged (or rather started to die). The car also has to warm up first for this to happen. It also doesn't happen all the time, but at random intervals. Also I erased the code and after my 7 mile drive it hasn't come back on yet. Thanks

Eyeballumbrella

Post by **confused_al** » 02 Nov 2009, 06:46

eyeballumbrella wrote:...MAF with some carb cleaner...

Noooooo! MAF cleaner or electronic cleaner!