1994 Volvo 850 Turbo stalling problems

loni_mc · Post by **loni_mc** » 08 Oct 2010, 13:15

I have recently purchased a 1994 Volvo 850 Series 5 cylinder 2.3 litre turbo . We were aware upon purchase that it had a tendency to stall in hot weather when the previous owner made 4 or 5 stops in succession. I can take it out shopping, and make 4 or 5 stops and it will stall from being started - it shudders and shakes. I wait a couple minutes, start it up again successfully and it's fine.

Or, i can drive it in the morning and then start it up again during the afternoon, get about 5 minutes down the road, and it stalls. It doesn't matter what speed I am going at the time - all the dash lights come on and it stops running. The last time this happened was on the highway going 90 km/hr and thankfully I was in the right hand lane and made it to the shoulder in time. I turned off the car for a few minutes and it started up again no problem.

I have replaced the radiator and thermostat (the temperature gauge would skyrocket going up hills - it's good now, but it didn't help the stalling), the fuel pump, the fuel filter, and the air filter but it continues to stall. I just don't know why it does this and it makes me nervous because i don't want to stall in the middle of an intersection or on the highway with no shoulder. I would appreciate any advice you may have - thanks!

Post by **phils94850** » 08 Oct 2010, 16:50

welcome to the site loni

.

Do you have a check engine light coming on ? if so, you need to get the codes read that would help alot. If not, i would probably go with replacing the cam sensor. Its a common failure item on our cars.

claymore850 · Post by **claymore850** » 08 Oct 2010, 18:49

If your engine suddenly dies at highway speed, has problems to start on a hot day, after just a minutes after shutdown..you have to check your EVAP valve..it works as a one way valve, when it fails, let some fuel vapour runs to the intlet..

Look this link, this valve is located in the drivers side of the radiator, near the fan, and has 2 hoses from the canister cup, and goes to the manifold intake.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/93-97-96 ... ccessories

Post by **confused_al** » 08 Oct 2010, 19:40

When it stalls, its like run out fuel? If so, check your fuel pump relay.
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... hp?p=32573

loni_mc · Post by **loni_mc** » 08 Oct 2010, 20:27

Thank you so much for your reply. I don't know if it's an engine light that comes on (pardon my ignorance) but a light does come on intermittengly which is located beside the service light - it is a red triangle with a green insert. It will stay on for a few days and then disappear. It is not displayed in the owner's manual so I don't know what it means. However, we shall take it to the Volvo dealer and get the codes checked.
This is a fabulous site and I am so pleased that a person who knows basically nothing about cars can ask questions. I will let you know how I fare. If you know what that light means, please advise.
Thanks again - Loni

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 08 Oct 2010, 20:51

The light you describe is the "Lambda Light" which is exactly the same as the "Check Engine Light". Since all of us USA Americans walk around with a drool cup our enlightened Congress and the DOT mandated that the light can only say Check Engine.

Have the codes read at whatever local auto parts store performs the service for you, it is normally free at most of the chain stores but be sure to post back the actual P code numbers - it will give us much more to work with. The codes will start with the letter P followed by 4 numeric digits. Many of the store scanners will print out something that hides the code number and it tells you what expensive part they think you need to buy (normally an O-2 Sensor).

...Lee

vangogh · Post by **vangogh** » 24 Oct 2010, 14:26

I also have an 850 1994 Volvo that has been stalling intermittently for the last 5 years. There is no rhyme or reason when it dies. I'm wondering if you have found a fix for your problem. We had the spark plugs, battery,the IAT sensor and thermostat, pnp switch and the fgr vac. control replaced. We took it to the Volvo dealer and they thought they had fixed it. This has been very costly and I"m ready to sell the car unless some one has another idea for us for us to try. It's a great car and would love to keep it. Any suggestions towards how to fix this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

loni_mc · Post by **loni_mc** » 25 Jul 2011, 11:39

Update - stalling problem:

We thought that everything was fine with our car as it never stalled over the winter - we had a pretty cold one. However, over the past few months we would stall every day, numerous times - it didn't matter what time of day, what temperature it was outside. Once we got it going we were afraid to make any stops or idle in traffic in case it stalled. We were becoming nervous wrecks and were afraid to drive it, especially at night.

We were going to take it to a Volvo dealer but were told they wouldn't know how to fix it unless the car misbehaved while they were driving it - we couldn't guarantee that. So, we were on the verge of shooting the car but finally took it to an independent mechanic who worked on Volvos for 20 years. He replaced the Fuel Pump Relay switch and now it works perfectly. What a pleasure to go out and make 6 stops just for the sake of stopping. Now I just have to figure out how to change the headlight bulb and I'll be good to go - there's always something:)

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 25 Jul 2011, 13:02

The headlight bulbs are pure cake. Do you have a 2 lamp system or a 4 lamp system for the headlights? Most '94s had the 4 lamp system but some had the 2 lamp system.

There is either one or two round covers at the back of the headlight, just twist it to release the covers and then the lamp socket will be revealed. The socket(s) have a bayonet mount which will twist out of the headlamp assembly.

From there it is plug and play but be sure not to touch the new lamp with your fingers - use a clean rag or a paper tower while handling the new lamp.

I really like the Silverstar replacements.

...Lee

morroj8659 · Post by **morroj8659** » 06 Mar 2014, 17:23

My 1994 Volvo 850 was stalling randomly. It would sometimes start right back up again, sometimes start up again after 5 minutes, and sometimes not restart for over 45 minutes. After checking the fuel pump, the fuel relay, and numerous other parts, I stumbled on a mechanic who worked on electrical systems. He found that the solder holding the fuel relay switch was almost entirely missing. He speculated that as the car had heated up, the solder melted and the connection was lost, causing the fuel relay to stop working and as a result, the car would stall. He removed the switch, cleaned off the old solder and re-soldered it in place. I have not had any problem since then.