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850 Wagon wont start - possible 'limp mode'

Help, Advice and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's P80 platform cars -- Volvo's 1990s "bread and butter" cars -- powered by the ubiquitous and durable Volvo inline 5-cylinder engine.

1992 - 1997 850, including 850 R, 850 T-5R, 850 T-5, 850 GLT
1997 - 2000 S70, S70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70, V70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70-XC
1997 - 2004 C70

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misha
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Year and Model: '97 850 2.5 20v
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Re: 850 Wagon wont start - possible 'limp mode'

Post by misha »

Check both connectors for loosened pins and corossion.
'97 850 2.5 20v / fully equipped / Motronic 4.4 from the factory / upgraded with S,V,C,XC70 instrument cluster / polar white wagon
History of Volvos in the family:
'71 144 S
'73 144 De Luxe
'78 244 DL
'78 244 DL
'79 244 GLE
'85 340 GLS

Adsteph0408
Posts: 19
Joined: 3 October 2016
Year and Model: 1995 850
Location: Virginia USA

Post by Adsteph0408 »

The connection was very dirty, almost like wax. We cleaned it. Also, we did the jump wire on the fuel pump relay. With the gas pedal all the way to the floor we tried to start it, after about a minute we did get it started, but barely, it only stayed going for about 30 seconds. Unfortunately the battery died in the process. Any thoughts on why it would kind of start but not stay going?

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misha
Posts: 5379
Joined: 7 December 2008
Year and Model: '97 850 2.5 20v
Location: Serbia
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Post by misha »

Ect.
Too much fuel floods the engine.
Don't start it anymore until you replace ect because you will produce "lawnmower syndrome".
Last edited by misha on 03 Oct 2016, 17:30, edited 1 time in total.
'97 850 2.5 20v / fully equipped / Motronic 4.4 from the factory / upgraded with S,V,C,XC70 instrument cluster / polar white wagon
History of Volvos in the family:
'71 144 S
'73 144 De Luxe
'78 244 DL
'78 244 DL
'79 244 GLE
'85 340 GLS

Adsteph0408
Posts: 19
Joined: 3 October 2016
Year and Model: 1995 850
Location: Virginia USA

Post by Adsteph0408 »

What is lawnmower syndrome?

User avatar
misha
Posts: 5379
Joined: 7 December 2008
Year and Model: '97 850 2.5 20v
Location: Serbia
Has thanked: 152 times
Been thanked: 402 times

Post by misha »

'97 850 2.5 20v / fully equipped / Motronic 4.4 from the factory / upgraded with S,V,C,XC70 instrument cluster / polar white wagon
History of Volvos in the family:
'71 144 S
'73 144 De Luxe
'78 244 DL
'78 244 DL
'79 244 GLE
'85 340 GLS

Adsteph0408
Posts: 19
Joined: 3 October 2016
Year and Model: 1995 850
Location: Virginia USA

Post by Adsteph0408 »

On our way to get a new ECT now. Didn't know fuel injected cars can flood. So concerned with making sure it was getting fuel, didn't think about it getting too much.

User avatar
misha
Posts: 5379
Joined: 7 December 2008
Year and Model: '97 850 2.5 20v
Location: Serbia
Has thanked: 152 times
Been thanked: 402 times

Post by misha »

There is a possibility that engine is already flooded... Lawnmower syndrome.

You will know for sure when you replace ect.Symptoms are already explained in previous post.

They can be flooded just in case when ect fails....or simply not getting enough fuel for cold start(starving)because ecu don't know how much fuel to inject.
It's a good idea to replace the thermostat at the same time with a proper one.
'97 850 2.5 20v / fully equipped / Motronic 4.4 from the factory / upgraded with S,V,C,XC70 instrument cluster / polar white wagon
History of Volvos in the family:
'71 144 S
'73 144 De Luxe
'78 244 DL
'78 244 DL
'79 244 GLE
'85 340 GLS

Adsteph0408
Posts: 19
Joined: 3 October 2016
Year and Model: 1995 850
Location: Virginia USA

Post by Adsteph0408 »

Replaced the ECT, and thermostat. We were able to get it started. Ran and we were able to turn it off and restart. It still has a very loud knock which is what started the issue. The serpentine belt seems to be worn and the idler pulley shakes a lot, especially while starting. Doesn't sound like its missing though.

User avatar
misha
Posts: 5379
Joined: 7 December 2008
Year and Model: '97 850 2.5 20v
Location: Serbia
Has thanked: 152 times
Been thanked: 402 times

Post by misha »

Well done!

Next ....I would replace fuel filter....cap & rotor,spark plugs check and re-gap if needed,air filter...clean IAC valve.

Did you checked oil level?
'97 850 2.5 20v / fully equipped / Motronic 4.4 from the factory / upgraded with S,V,C,XC70 instrument cluster / polar white wagon
History of Volvos in the family:
'71 144 S
'73 144 De Luxe
'78 244 DL
'78 244 DL
'79 244 GLE
'85 340 GLS

Adsteph0408
Posts: 19
Joined: 3 October 2016
Year and Model: 1995 850
Location: Virginia USA

Post by Adsteph0408 »

Oil level is good, spark plugs are new. Would the fuel filter and/or the cap and rotor cause a loud knock and lack of power? Also, I read a forum on this site about lifters causing a knock, is that possible?

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