850 electrical problem

hodges · Post by **hodges** » 08 Nov 2004, 16:35

My 96 850 wagon has an intermittant stalling problem. It occurs very infrequently and the car always starts again. The last occurance however was unnerving because it wouldn't start right away. It stalled just as I was accelerating away from an intersection. Dash lights, blower motor, wipers all worked but I got nothing from the ignition. I pushed the car to the curb and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes, after which it started. I noticed later that the radio stations were all reset like happens when the battery is unhooked. The throttle position switch was replaced a couple months back, so I don't think that's the problem. Where do I start looking for this ghost?

robtas · Post by **robtas** » 12 Nov 2004, 11:15

hodges -

I have a '93 850 manual that had a similar problem. It would stall - the electrical system worked but the engine was conked out. I took it in to the dealership and had them look at it. They said it stemmed from the air flow sensor that regulated the intake of air to the engine. I'm pretty mechanically illiterate but it seemed to make sense to me. From what I understand, the sensor was getting old and would occasionally (mistakenly) cut off the air flow to the engine, which in turn would force it to stall out. I don't know about the radio reset though - didn't have that problem. Getting it fixed would run about $300, probably.

javiera · Post by **javiera** » 13 Nov 2004, 17:48

I have a similar problem where my 93 850 manual would stall when coming to a stop. This would occur after pushing the engine on any uphill grade and them coming to a stop.

My mechanic has already replace various relays, and this would be a good place to check...air flow sensor.

Thanks!

rixkixx · Post by **rixkixx** » 15 Nov 2004, 11:06

I had a similar problem, but it wasn't with my 94 850, it was my 89 780, very different car, but it's something you check out. It ended up being my ignition module. I replaced it, and all problems solved. Have it checked out.

Post by **matthew1** » 15 Nov 2004, 11:15

hodges wrote:My 96 850 wagon has an intermittant stalling problem. It occurs very infrequently and the car always starts again. The last occurance however was unnerving because it wouldn't start right away. It stalled just as I was accelerating away from an intersection. Dash lights, blower motor, wipers all worked but I got nothing from the ignition. I pushed the car to the curb and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes, after which it started. I noticed later that the radio stations were all reset like happens when the battery is unhooked. The throttle position switch was replaced a couple months back, so I don't think that's the problem. Where do I start looking for this ghost?

Like rixkixx said, often the ignition switch will fail and a replacement will cure it.

Duggan776 · Post by **Duggan776** » 28 Feb 2005, 16:18

I had this problem in a 940 which was traced to an ignition relay. Something to do with switching out the radio or supressing it when starting. This relay must stay energised for the engine to run. My mechanic could demonstrate the problem by tapping the relay with a screwdriver and the engine would stop! Replaced the relay, problem fixed.