Stall while driving

Angela111870 · Post by **Angela111870** » 22 Jan 2010, 14:47

My 2004 S40 stalled while driving. Had it towed to the nearest garage and they said they were pretty sure it was a fuel problem but didn't want to touch it and referred me to a Volvo shop. Had gotten gas the day before and the check engine light came on, I thought that maybe I had just not put the fuel cap on right so I fixed that and the light went off. The next day it stalled while driving! Any suggestions as to what this may be? Thanx in advance for any help or advice.

diyer97 · Post by **diyer97** » 22 Jan 2010, 15:47

It's most likely the battery terminals got corroded and if they are you can clean them yourself good and save $. You can take it to the dealer and they may replace fuel relay, then fuel filter, then fuel pump etc..and some thing else and you keep handing out your $$.
Your 04 is only 5 years,imho, those parts are very reliable. Lots of website members including me experienced power cut out. Some chose to have volvo dealer performing the repair and giving them up to 3 grands and the problem only came back. Mine 97 960 cut out the power at stop light and started again. No power at all even emergency light but it started couple minutes later and ran fine. Another time was at a super market parking lot; One minute later It's OK again. I went ahead getting a new battery and keeping battery terminals clean and the car never gives me another stall ever since. Lots of suggestions put to me as a cause of engine stall but I took the battery seriously and also started using 91 octane gasoline as indicated in vehicle manual so honestly I don't know which took care of the problem but am happy as I have no more stalling.

Angela111870 · Post by **Angela111870** » 22 Jan 2010, 17:20

The battery terminals were checked and cleaned and still no start. Only 45,000 miles on this car. I just don't want to be mislead by the Volvo dealer as to what the problem really is.Thanx for your input though, appreciated.

Post by **billofdurham** » 23 Jan 2010, 15:31

Angela111870, welcome to Matthew's Volvo Site.

When you say "no start" does the engine turn over but not fire or does it not even turn over?

The garage to which you were towed can't be very good as a fuel fault on a Volvo isn't any different to a fuel fault on any other make. They should have the necessary equipment to scan for fault codes, which should have been a first step as your CEL had come on. The code will still be stored even if the CEL has now gone out.

Bill.

Angela111870 · Post by **Angela111870** » 23 Jan 2010, 15:57

The car just quit while driving and then it acted like it wanted to start but wouldn't fire. I then let it sit for a few and it started up after a few tries but stalled out again and wouldn't start. After attempting to start it over and over again I just left it as I didn't want to run down the battery.

Post by **billofdurham** » 24 Jan 2010, 12:04

It could be a fuel problem or it could be a lack of spark.

Is the car still at the garage to which it was towed? They don't seem to be too bright but I do know that a lot of garages think Volvos can only be worked on by Volvo dealers. To go to a Volvo dealer is a last resort for the members of this forum because of exorbitant parts and labour charges.

If the car is still at the garage have a word with them and tell them they can work on the fuel system as they would on a US car. They can scan for OBD2 codes, check fuel pressure, check fuel pump is working and check for a spark.

If you have moved the car I would suggest that you contact some other garages and get their views on whether or not they feel competent enough to work on a Volvo. There has to be a small, independent garage near you who will take this on. Ask your friends which garages they use, are they satisfied and contact them.

Bill.

Angela111870 · Post by **Angela111870** » 25 Jan 2010, 06:44

Thank you Bill for responding. The car has already been towed to a Volvo dealer...If I had known this forum was here before then I would have left it where it was, a neighborhood garage, and informed them of your info.
Do you have to use a diagnostic to get these codes that you mentioned? I am hoping to hear from the Volvo place today as to what the problem is and in the future will be looking for another place to take my car.
I do have to say that the independent garage that it was first towed to charged me nothing.
Thanks againg for your valued information and I will let you know what the Volvo dealer has to say.

Post by **billofdurham** » 25 Jan 2010, 15:28

To read the fault codes on any make of car made late 1995 onwards you need a code scanner. There are many scanners on the market which will work on most cars and the majority of garages will have one of these, or something better, as they are now vital equipment.

Obviously the main dealers of all brands have the latest manufacturers' diagnostic equipment which, supposedly, cuts diagnostic time. I say "supposedly" because my daughter's Renault broke down last year, was recovered to the main dealer who spent 7 hours trying to diagnose the problem with their all singing, all dancing magic equipment. Eventually I told her to have it towed to a friend's garage. He has basic diagnostic kit, found the fault in 45 minutes and took great delight in telling the dealer to refund what they had charged.

If you are considering buying a scanner do a general search on this site and you will find those that have been recommended by other members.

Keep us updated, please.

Bill.

Angela111870 · Post by **Angela111870** » 25 Jan 2010, 18:32

Bill, I greatly appreciate your feedback and this forum! I cannot tell you how happy I am to have found this site!
My car has been fixed and I am happy to report that it was a fuel injector module that was a Volvo recall! Only cost to me was an hour of labor, $51! I know I probably got lucky there!
Thank you again and I will most definately be using this forum in the future! It is nice to have a forum such as this to help car owners and keep them informed!

Post by **billofdurham** » 26 Jan 2010, 12:54

Only cost to me was an hour of labor, $51!

Where do you find a Volvo dealer who charges so little?

I'm glad everything worked out alright.

Come back anytime.

Bill.