1996 Volvo 850 GLT Stalling intermittently

dqbitis · Post by **dqbitis** » 20 Oct 2012, 10:43

Hello. New to this forum and not much of a car guy. When it comes to diagnostics I am usually fairly lost, but am a decent parts changer. This is regarding my wife's 96 850 GLT. Its been stalling for the past few months and has been getting worse. It is very random and doesnt seem to correlate with deceleration or being at idle or anything like that.

I have read on this forum a bit, and have found things that suggest the MAF sensor. I thought i would buy one and put it on to see if that was in fact the problem, but its nearly $200. I would be happy to buy that part and install it if I knew it was the solution, but can't really afford to throw $200 at something hoping it fixes the problem.

What are my other options here? Please help. Really can't afford to replace the car or have the dealer charge me an arm and a leg to figure it out for me. Thank you all in advance

DQ

Post by **wheelsup** » 20 Oct 2012, 10:53

In cases like this I highly suggest you pay a competent shop to diagnose the problem. Most charge about 1 hours shop time. For the $100 or so you will know exactly what the problem is. Then buy and replace the part yourself.

Post by **cn90** » 20 Oct 2012, 16:01

1. Buy a generic OBD-II code reader (your 1996 probably uses the diagnostic sockets that came with the car) for future use.
Search forum for recommendations, about $25-$50.
Whenever the car stalls, unplug the MAF, if car runs fine then MAF is bad.
New Volvo/Bosch is not $200, it is $150.

2. Could be bad Fuel Pump RELAY.
Trouble-shooting guide is here (using very very simple tools):
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... hp?t=52252

Post by **rspi** » 20 Oct 2012, 16:17

+1 With cn90. Get codes read and check the fuel pump relay.

Post by **erikv11** » 20 Oct 2012, 16:37

cn90 wrote:...
Whenever the car stalls, unplug the MAF, if car runs fine then MAF is bad.
New Volvo/Bosch is not $200, it is $150.
...

Actually, it is usually about $165. But I just did a search on the Bosch part number (Bosch 0280217107), this is an awesome deal at $131 and free shipping

http://www.partsgeek.com/ss/?i=1&ssq=0280217107&x=0&y=0

valvster · Post by **valvster** » 20 Oct 2012, 23:44

I'd go with all the cheaper options first rather than throw parts at it.
As others have said the fuel pump relay is troublesome but can be reconditioned for a few $$$.
There is an excellent guide here https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... php?t=9681
Also clean the throttle body/ butterfly and check for vacuum leaks on all hoses.
There is an O-ring around the flame trap that can be another source of vacuum leaks if
it has hardened up or fallen off during servicing.

valvster

Post by **erikv11** » 21 Oct 2012, 02:27

+1 on the troubleshooting and those are good ideas (well +5 because pretty much everybody said do some diagnostics).

But no one recommended to throw parts at it. What was said was, if you suspect the MAF then first test it. If the test indicates the MAF is broken, then replace it.