544 1963 Stalling - Red dash light on

gena · Post by **gena** » 12 Jul 2012, 18:01

The car had been running great. I left my home and drove about 5 miles and turned the car off. It started fine, but when I took my foot off the accelerator, it died. I drove the car home, giving it lots of gas, and restarting it when necessary, but it died every time I took my foot off the gas.

Also, there is a red light above the steering column. The dash was re-done before I got the car, so I don't really know what any of the lights mean. It is the center light of three vertical lights. I am sure it is trying to tell me what is wrong with the car, but I don't know what that is for?

I have only had the car since July... But we are already deeply in love. I can't stand not having her to drive.

Post by **jimmy57** » 12 Jul 2012, 18:35

Since that car has ZERO computers the warning light has to be for low oil pressure or generator. Since the lights are not stock you'll have to figure out what the light warns of.
IF it has been being on until the engine is started and is running it could be either oil pressure or generator.
That is a carbureted car and the idle circuit can get trash or water in it and not idle but run off idle OK. A vacuum line could have come off and cause the same symptoms.
Where in California.

You need to join VCOA, Volvo Club of America. VCOA.org.

A lot of 444/544 owners in that group.

gena · Post by **gena** » 13 Jul 2012, 09:30

Jimmy, Thank you for your quick reply.
The oil seems fine, so I think I can rule that out.
Would a problem with the generator cause the car to stall? Should I replace the generator?
I sent the previous owner an e-mail asking what he thought the light was and part of his reply said "The alternator is a very standard Chevrolet unit - so if I ever needed to replace it, it would be easy to match." He said alternator, and you are saying generator?
I put a new gas filter on yesterday and cleaned the carburetor filter and there is not change.

I currently live in Northern California, about 1 hour from Sacramento, up in the foothills. Thank you for the suggestion to look into the Volvo Clubs. I took a quick look and see that there is one in Sacramento.

Post by **jimmy57** » 13 Jul 2012, 10:03

Great, he converted the charging system to the much much better alternator.
Charging system failure would make it not crank over due to dead battery and not make it stall only at idle.

If there is water or debris in carburetor it will require some repair, the filter won't get out what is already there.

gena · Post by **gena** » 13 Jul 2012, 11:19

I am wondering if this could somehow be related to a leak I fixed with the radiator with some of that quick fix powder that I added to it? I can't find the name of what I added, but I am sure you are familiar with that stuff.
It did fix the leak.

It seems to make sense that it is the carburetor.
Uh Oh, now I am a little intimidated.
I do have the manual for the carburetor. I guess I will take that apart and see where I get.
Thank you so much for the feedback.
I will let you know how I get along

If anyone is here near Sacramento and wants to help me work on a carburetor,

gena · Post by **gena** » 29 Jul 2012, 00:02

Well, It appears that the stalling was most likely due to me adding some carburetor cleaner to the gasoline.
After burning through the gas, and putting new gas in, the car is running good again.
I know, I know, EVERYONE tells me now that I should NOT add anything to the gas.
Lesson learned.
But soooo happy to have my baby on the road again!