Loss of Power while driving...

Gorilla7 · Post by **Gorilla7** » 30 Mar 2010, 22:04

I recently purchased a 1997 volvo 850(auto)...as i was driving the car it just shut off on me...turned right over and kept driving. As i continued to drive the car had lag and loss of power, as if it wanted to shut off again. Didnt shut off due to me giving it a little more gas and it would not stall out again. Continued to do that all the way home,about an hour drive... Anyone able to help me out with what it is or might be or has someone had the same issue? Like i said i just bought the car and am beating myself up for not inspecting it properly before making my purchase and now i NEED to fix it as its my ONLY means of transportation. Thank you.

Post by **jblackburn** » 30 Mar 2010, 22:53

lag and loss of power

Unplug the mass airflow sensor, just to the left of the airbox, take the car for a drive and see if your car runs any better. That's the easiest place to start troubleshooting; if that doesn't work, we'll be glad to offer more suggestions.

Gorilla7 · Post by **Gorilla7** » 30 Mar 2010, 23:01

Thank you, im going to try that first thing in the morning...another thing, i was told to replace the fuel filter and see if that works? ill let u know as soon as i do it tomorrow...thank you again..

Gorilla7 · Post by **Gorilla7** » 31 Mar 2010, 09:49

Ok, so i disconnected the mass airflow sensor, and drove around for about a half hour with no problems, no hesitation no lag...RAN GREAT, like all great volvos do....Thank you jablackburn....now i have some more issues..lol...my a/c hose blew the other day....speedometer just stopped, RPM's are still working.....odometer and trip counter havent worked since i bought the car....right now thats all i have, i will continue to test and run my vehicle. i plan on doing a full tuneup and hope and pray everything turns out for the better....if anyone could assist me in these issues it would be greatly appreciated...

Post by **jblackburn** » 31 Mar 2010, 10:52

Mmhmm...we seem to be seeing a lot of those lately. Welcome to the world of owning a Volvo and their dumb problems

As for replacing the MAF sensor, you can TRY cleaning it with a can of cleaner at any auto parts store. My experience is that this doesn't work, though, and the cars only like their genuine Bosch/Volvo parts. Don't use an aftermarket part for this, you'll only run into more problems.

The A/C hose blew up? Which one? You're going to have to replace it, and install a new dryer, then have the system vacuumed and recharged.

The speedo doesn't work...does the ABS system? Are the ABS/Tracs lights on on your dash? I've seen the bulbs removed before on cars that were being sold; go brake somewhere safely and hard as you can, if you skid, the ABS module needs to be re-conditioned. There is a how-to here for soldering the joints inside:
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... hp?p=46827

And a fix for the odometer gear:
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/2005/0 ... ix-how-to/

If the ABS works, your problem may just be a bad speedo itself.

Gorilla7 · Post by **Gorilla7** » 31 Mar 2010, 11:36

Thank you...i looked up the MAF sensor already....the lower a/c hose is the one that went.....no ABS/Tracs lights on my dash...im gonna go out now and brake hard like you said...ill be back in a while and let you know the verdict, thank you again..

Gorilla7 · Post by **Gorilla7** » 31 Mar 2010, 13:31

Well speedo works...it randomly stops working...i plugged the MAF sensor back in, felt a little different,but no lag or loss of power...quick question...if its not the MAF sensor where would i troubleshoot next? all my bulbs in my taillights are good(brake,turn signal,reverse,etc)..but when i press the brake nothing lights up....fuse is also good on brakes...Brake switch?

Post by **jblackburn** » 31 Mar 2010, 14:14

Random problems are the most annoying to find.

The speedo could still be the ABS module, or it could be just a bad connection. I'd think if it was one of the wheel sensors, it would get mad and turn on the light, so it's probably in the connection from the ABS module to the instrument cluster itself.

The brake switch would be what I'd suspect for that, you'll have to take a look at it for yourself to see what is actually wrong with it, though. It may be broken entirely, or it may be able to be adjusted. The lower dash cover has 1 torx screw just under the steering wheel, and then you can pull it directly back and off. Then you can try jumpering wires together to see if you can get the brake lights to come on. If it's not that, it could be the rear electrical module in the trunk or a relay. Do reverse lights work?

I think your stuttering problem will probably come back, and it does sound like it's the MAF if it's running OK now. Other things could be a failing cam/crank sensor, but you'd likely get a code or misfire codes for either of those.

Gorilla7 · Post by **Gorilla7** » 31 Mar 2010, 14:32

Reverse lights do work...i have the Haynes repair manual for the car. The manual would show me(illustration wise) on how to get to the abs module and the brake switch right? if not could you help me out with some links on how to fix the ABS module connection to the instrument cluster and the brake switch? im gonna go attempt it...the full tune up is in the works, i know that will help out on diagnosing things...thank you..

Gorilla7 · Post by **Gorilla7** » 31 Mar 2010, 15:11

Back to the drawing board....plugged the MAF sensor back in,drove around for about half-hour and it ran good. So now what? Is that still my issue or do I move on to the next troubleshooting step?

brake light switch, manually adjusted or self adjusting?