2007 XC70 Idling/stalling

wisecane · Post by **wisecane** » 20 Nov 2018, 14:40

Hi all,

I'm new to the forum and new to Volvo ownership in general. I purchased a 2007 XC70 with approx 150k on it about two months ago. It was a company car that my company auctioned off in house. All general maintenance had been done on the car, and quite a few sensors replaced before I bought it. Long story long, the car was based in NY and the company wasn't willing to keep up the emissions test because the "Time for Regular Maintenance" message was popping up. I live in Florida so it's not a problem.

So I get the car and love it. It drives great, gets around 21 mpg has a roar in the front end, so I replace both front wheel bearing assemblies. Change the oil (all synthetic per spec) and life is good.

About two weeks ago though, I crank the car up cold (first thing in the morning) and it idles up to around 1500 rpm, drops down to around 700 and when I put it in gear it sputters and stalls. Crank it, it fires, revs up, sputters and stalls. Does this 3-4 more times, I'm thinking it's just cold-natured. So I crank it, hold gas until the temp gauge moves up (about 45 sec- 1 minute) and it runs fine.

Now every time I crank it, I have to go through this procedure (crank, hold gas at around 2,000 for a minute or so) and then it runs fine. No sputtering at stop lights/signs, smooth acceleration, idles for 20 minutes no problem, etc. If I don't go through that procedure the car will not crank and run, just fires, sputters and stalls.

Any ideas?

bepilot · Post by **bepilot** » 20 Nov 2018, 14:56

New to Volvo too, a quick search gave me this, problem seemed pretty similar:
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=62256

So try to clean your MAF-sensor first I would say, on my cars I spray some brakeclean on them.

Post by **oragex** » 20 Nov 2018, 15:09

Which engine is this? Do you see the temp gauge climbing slowly at a steady pace as the engine is warming up?

wisecane · Post by **wisecane** » 20 Nov 2018, 15:42

2.5 L Turbo is the engine. I'm going to try to clean the MAF and see what's up. If that fails, I'll replace it.

Post by **jimmy57** » 20 Nov 2018, 17:14

If the battery is weak then the ECM loses throttle control idling memory when the starter engages and the voltage dips. You can get a battery checked for free at several of the auto stores and free is about the best deal you can get for a first effort to get to the cause.
Gear reduction starters used these days don't get slow sounding until the battery is VERY weak.

wisecane · Post by **wisecane** » 30 Nov 2018, 15:04

I cleaned the MAF and it seemed to help, then acted the same as before. I replaced the MAF with a Bosch, still having problems.

The car when cranked will run fine idled up for a few seconds, then idle down to the normal position (about 700 rpms). After a few more seconds it will start sputtering, then stall.

Once it stalls the first time, it will crank, run a second or two, sputter and then stall.

Anything else I can check before I take her for a diagnostic?

Post by **abscate** » 01 Dec 2018, 02:15

Fuel pressure at the rail. It needs to be a solid 55 psi

When were spark plugs last replaced? Should be on third set by now

These cars can't be troubleshot by " symptom" you have to follow logic paths and test along the way.