Volvo 850 Engine Cuts Out Please Help!!

volvo94 · Post by **volvo94** » 16 Aug 2004, 16:43

Hi,

I purchased a 1994 Volvo 850 a couple of months ago. Since then I have run across a recurring problem, in which the engine cuts out and all of the warning lights go on. The car then becomes hard to steer and I usually am not able to start it up again until I wait about 5 minutes or so. There is no warning that the engine is about to cut off and it will cut off at varying speeds. I have taken the car to two different mechanics with no success. None of them have been able to find anything wrong with it, they repeatedly cleared the warning lights and nothing except the O2 light has registered, though they don't believe that could have an impact. One mechanic thought the starter might be the source of the problem and we replaced it to no avail. I am in high school, therefore I have a limited income and the Volvo repairs have been quite costly. I could try to take it to a dealer and try to trade it in, although I'm not sure if they'll take it or I'll have to try to sell it in the classifieds. There is also a third mechanic who was taking the car for a drive and he experienced it cut off. He isn't quite sure what the problem is, but he thinks he could diagnose it, though I'm not quite sure if I should do this because the two other mechanics couldn't find anything visibly wrong with the car, although they were never in the car when it shut off.

Do you all have any idea what the problem could be???

I really don't know what to do because I have put a lot of money into this car and I can't afford to put much more in. Do you all have an opinion of whether I should try to trade it in or give this 3rd mechanic a go??

I APPRECIATE any help, Thanks a lot

Tsquared · Post by **Tsquared** » 16 Aug 2004, 18:36

volvo94 wrote:they repeatedly cleared the warning lights and nothing except the O2 light has registered, though they don't believe that could have an impact. One mechanic thought the starter might be the source of the problem and we replaced it to no avail.

Do you all have any idea what the problem could be???

Do you have the exact code? AN O2 sensor usually rsults in a diagnostic code being stored in the computer, check engine light, poor fuel milage, and rough running engine.

Thinking out loud:
Replacing the starter would have no impact on stalling...
Ground wire may have faulty electricl connection - maybe...
IAC/throttle body/flame trap may be clogged...
Relays may have corosion on contacts...
Fuel pump pressure or fuel filter clogged...

A Volvo 850 is a complex piece of machinery. There are things that Volvo has engineered into their cars that beyond common logic - a Volvo trained mechanic may be able to find the problem fairly quickly (and expensively). Is the Check Engine light currently on? Do you have access to a code reader or service manual (your 94 has the OBD I style - check out this link: http://au.geocities.com/ozbrick850/comp ... volvo.html ) ? Is this a turbo engine or a N/A?

volvo94 · Post by **volvo94** » 16 Aug 2004, 20:13

I can tell you that the check engine light is on.
Tomorrow AM I will try to get the exact codes that the mechanic said were for the o2 sensor.
Today, another 850 owner friend told me he had to replace the fuel pump relay when he had difficulty starting his car and had at least one experience of the 850 cutting out after it was running.
Thank you for the quick reply!!

Post by **matthew1** » 16 Aug 2004, 21:49

Yea, it could be a bad ground causing the shutdown. See this for more: https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/chat/p ... php?t=1943

As for the Check Engine light/O2 codes, that almost certainly is not related to the prior item, although diagnosing things across the Internet is never a sure thing.

I'd guess you have a bad ground causing problem #1 and a bad oxygen sensor causing #2.

volvo94 · Post by **volvo94** » 17 Aug 2004, 13:37

Apparently the mechanic cleaned the throttle body and plate and the idle air control. He said there was a lot of gunk in them and he thinks that was the problem. What do you guys think???

Thanks

volvo94 · Post by **volvo94** » 17 Aug 2004, 13:57

The warning light has also turned off.

Thanks

Tsquared · Post by **Tsquared** » 17 Aug 2004, 14:24

The warning light probably went out because the problem was corrected and you have started yur car the required number of times with out the code. Is it still shutting off or stalling?

volvo94 · Post by **volvo94** » 17 Aug 2004, 15:20

Actually, I don't have the car yet. The mechanic will be taking out for a spin to try to determine whether cleaning the throttle body/plate and ilde air control did the trick. It seems as though the warning light just went off after those parts were clean, although it had been stalling earlier with no warning light on.

Thanks

potroast · Post by **potroast** » 17 Aug 2004, 18:11

I would bet that the mechanic cleared the code. I clear codes when I attempt repairs and see if the code repeats.

rainman · Post by **rainman** » 19 Aug 2004, 12:44

I reckon Tsquared's suggestion about throttle body/flame trap being gunked up is the answer. 850s do not have many design faults but two of them are a tiny flame trap that needs cleaning every 8-12 months, and a narrow butterfly valve in the throttle body. An obvious thing to do is to cleaen both of those out. Maybe use some carb cleaner in the inlet, and then warm up the car properly, then take it out for a decent "enthusiastic'drive. Leave the car idling for 3 -4 mins when you return and see if it stalls. It won't. Good luck.... If you were wondering the 3rd design fault is the check strap in the door - it isn't sturdy enough so expect it to start 'clicking' anytime soon. If you can't be bothered to replace it just tighten the screws and live with it. I do