1996 850 GLT-idles poorly

[white volvo lady]

Hi!

I need some help tonight.

About 4-5 days ago, my 1996 850 GLT wouldn't run properly. I turned the key and the ignition turned over, but then the car started shaking and sputtering, and wouldn't rev very high, then it would just die. My "helpful neighbors" said I probably just flooded the engine, and to let it sit overnight. I did, and when I went out to start it the next morning, it started just fine. I took the car to my local garage and they said they couldn't find anything wrong, except it was a little low on oil.

Then, a couple of nights later, the same thing happened again. The car just shook and sputtered for about 60 seconds, then died. This time, I pushed the gas pedal all the way to the floor and tried starting it again, and it worked. I drove the car incident-free for about 2 days and 150 miles.

This morning, I drove to work, and the car wouldn't start when I made my stop for morning coffee (about a block from my office!) I left it for an hour, then went back, and it started just fine. I had trouble leaving work, but managed to get it started by again pushing the pedal to the floor.

Now tonight (8/09/08), I can't get the car to start at all. The ignition won't turn over now, and I'm worried that I'm draining my battery. After reading a few posts here in the ETM Room, I'm REALLY worried this is a fuel injection problem (or gas pump?) or this electronic throttle thing....

Has anyone out there ever experienced the problems I'm describing? Is this an ETM issue, or could it be something else? Is this a job for my local garage, or do I have to take it to Volvo? Is it expensive?

Many thanks for any help you can provide,

Leigh

[MadeInJapan]

Well the good news is that your car doesn't have an ETM (they began in '99) so that eliminates one problem. The bad news is that you probably will have to take it to someone unless you're pretty savvy with some tools and have some car experience. I suspect that it might be the MAF sensor but it could be fuel delivery too (fuel pump, fuel pump relay) or it could be electrical (bad spark plugs, rotor, cap, wires, etc.). When was the last tune up you had and what did they do?

[white volvo lady]

Well, that's some good news! I still have to figure out how to get to work today

My last tune-up was about a year or so ago--and they did everything (wires, plugs, etc). I have been experiencing miscellaneous electrical glitches here and there (panel lights that come on for no apparent reason, my CD player not working from time to time,...)

But this new problem seems to be with fuel delivery, not the ignition and not something electrical.

Pardon my asking, but what is a MAF sensor?

I'm not too handy with tools, so I will have to take it somewhere. Is this a job for Volvo, or can I take it to a local garage?

Many thanks for your prompt reply!

Leigh

[MadeInJapan]

The MAF sensor is the Mass Airflow sensor...it is the round contraption right past your air filter box that has a wire plugged into it... By way of it, your car's computer knows how much gas to add to the air/fuel mixture. When it goes bonkers so does the car's computer, not knowing exactly how much fuel to add and thus you get surges, or cut-outs.

Certainly Volvo will be glad to "tackle" your problems, charge you an arm and a leg and possibly claim other (non-essential) issues abound, trying to take you for even more of your hard earned money.

The best thing for you to do is to find a good mechanic or shop who is familiar with Volvo's.

Where do you live? Depending, one of our members could possibly make a recommendation as to where you could go for service.

P.S. what you tell me about your radio not working sometimes, and other electrical issues, you are describing what often happens to 850's when there is a low battery or one of the battery cables or ground straps is corroded. Check these out because they could effect your fuel as well.

[MadeInJapan]

Because your car does not have an ETM and because you're dealing with an 850, would Don or Bill please move this thread over to the 850 section. You'll get more attention over there anyway.
Regards,
David

[white volvo lady]

My MAF sensor was replaced in Jan 2007. Volvo did it for me, because my garage said they weren't sure they could get the part or something.

But, if the sensor was bad, it would just be.....bad, right? Or would it stop working intermittently, and then to nothing, like what happened with me?

I would love a referral to someone close by to me. Mt. Kisco Volvo (zip 10549) is my dealer.

Right now, my car won't start, so I'm going to have it towed tomorrow morning to my local garage and we'll see what happens.

Thanks for your help,

Leigh

[MadeInJapan]

No problem Leigh. I hope it's not the MAF again. Are you using an after market air filter like a K&N? If so, there could be oil on it so if your garage says that's what it is again, tell them to try cleaning it with MAF cleaner (but DON'T TOUCH the element!). Your problems could be with fuel delivery (pump, fuel filter or fuel pump relay). Let's see what they say.

[Ozark Lee]

My bet is the fuel pump relay. That is exactly how they fail. You can test the theory by jumpering it.

The relay is number 103 and it is located under the cover on the fuse box under the hood. It takes a T-25 Torx head driver to remove the cap on the fuse box.



Remove relay 103 and look on the bottom of it. Molded into the plastic next to the terminal pins are the numbers 31, 31b, 15, and 87. Fashion a jumper wire that fits between the socket positions associated with pins 15 and 87. If the relay is bad it should fire up and run just fine after the jumper wire is in place.

I absolutely shudder when I think of what Mt. Kisco Volvo will charge you - even without the tow charge.

...Lee

[MadeInJapan]

Thanks for jumping in here Lee... I was going to mention that but didn't want to further confuse Leigh...but your explanation is so simple, anyone should be able to do this.