240 1990 Manual Tran Engine loses power intermittently

mainevolvolover46 · Post by **mainevolvolover46** » 15 Jul 2009, 18:54

I have a 1990 Volvo 245, manual transmission that has lost engine power on a few occasions. One symptom which was consistent with each instance was that the manual transmission upshift indicator flashed continuously when the engine lost power and the check engine light came on. The engine would not stall as long as you depressed clutch but rpms would fall off and no amount of gas pedal would bring up. If you tried to keep car moving by releasing clutch, you could cause engine to stall (engine not developing enough torque). If you stalled engine, you can restart immediately but symptom remains the same. A minute or three later, the manual upshift indicator stops flashing and the car runs fine until it starts flashing again when symptoms return. I believe this occurred four (possibly five) times during one trip a couple of days ago. Each time the flashing upshift indicator let me know it was about to happen and also when it stopped that car would run okay.

This seems like a relay of some sort. It is not the fuel pump relay. I have had that problem before and it shuts the engine off entirely and there is no flashing upshift indicator with that relay.

Any insights?

Thank you and best wishes.

mainevolvolover46 · Post by **mainevolvolover46** » 19 Jul 2009, 15:37

I pulled the CEL codes. There was only one: 1-2-1 MAF Sensor Signal.

I could not get the the code to reset following the instructions above but did verify the code three times.

Sorry, I know little about the engines. Does this mean the Mass Air Flow sensor is bad? Is having the manual transmission upshift indicator arrow flashing whenever the engine is displaying low power consistent with this signal?

What do I do now? Do i have to replace this sensor and is it something I can do?

Thanks to all for all the help.

mainevolvolover46

Post by **billofdurham** » 20 Jul 2009, 12:53

Welcome to Matthew's Volvo Site.

1.2.1 does indicate a fault in the Mass AirFlow metre (MAF). It also indicates a possible fault in the heated oxygen sensor.

The MAF could be faulty or it could need cleaning. The instructions for testing the MAF are in the first attachment. You can buy a can of MAF cleaner at any motor supply shop.

240 MAF check.pdf: (58.86 KiB) Downloaded 148 times

If you do need a new MAF you should be able to fit it yourself as it is straightforward.

To test the oxygen sensor you would need an exhaust gas analyzer.

To erase codes:

240 DTC clearing.pdf: (109.89 KiB) Downloaded 110 times

Bill.