1996 Volvo 850 GL - Idle problem and stalling

traveln1 · Post by **traveln1** » 26 Nov 2010, 15:14

My 1996 Volvo 850 GL automatic only has 116,000 miles and recently it started to idle rough ONLY when i stop at traffic and now
the symptoms have gotten worse and it stalls out and if sometimes does not start up for a good 5 minutes. Sometimes it starts right back up and than is fine..and other times i notice that when i go up a big hill or down an incline it starts to have a rough idle also and the idle surges a good 500-1000 rpm...and if i gas it hard it goes away.

Ive cleaned the Idle Air Sensor, and the Mass Air Flow Sensor also as best as i can... since those seem like the typical problems as the car runs perfect except for these strange symptoms that happen only every few days. Than go away....

Is there any advice on what exactly could be a solution... ?

Post by **rsavin** » 26 Nov 2010, 15:25

After all I have read and the problems I have has with my 94 850 Sed Non-turbo the first thing I think you should try is replacing the Fuel Pump relay. It starts to idle rough because it's not getting enough gas. Mine would do almost the same thing. It would stall as I was coasting up to a light, chug and die. Sometimes start right up and sometimes it would take 5 or even ten attempts over several minutes. It even dies going 75mph on the highway. Same thing, coast to the side of the road, give it 5 or 10 start attempts and finally I was on my way. After it started it would run absolutely perfect, maybe even for the rest of the tank. Fuel Pump relay, that's my vote. Dealer price for mine was $55. Since there are several different styles you should pull yours first and make sure you get the right one. If that doesn't do it....I'd say the FP next. Hope this helps!

traveln1 · Post by **traveln1** » 26 Nov 2010, 17:09

rsavin:

thank you for the Fuel Pump Relay suggestion... i will replace it and see if that solves the problem since my symptoms sound very similar to yours and the idea of replacing the IAC or MAF sensors is more expensive so this sounds like a quick solution and not so expensive... and something that probably needs replacing anyways down the road.