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On startup, first drop from ~3k RPM almost stalls

Help, Advice and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's P80 platform cars -- Volvo's 1990s "bread and butter" cars -- powered by the ubiquitous and durable Volvo inline 5-cylinder engine.

1992 - 1997 850, including 850 R, 850 T-5R, 850 T-5, 850 GLT
1997 - 2000 S70, S70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70, V70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70-XC
1997 - 2004 C70

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estipe
Posts: 10
Joined: 13 March 2013
Year and Model: 850, 1995
Location: Portland, OR

On startup, first drop from ~3k RPM almost stalls

Post by estipe »

Hello,

This winter I've noticed something peculiar with my 850. The first time I drive the car, say, in the morning or after having been stationary for a while, the RPMs will drop to ~500 or even lower after the first time it reaches 3k. If I shift out of 1st and into Neutral at around 2k, if I reach a stop sign or something, it won't do it. But when I first start the car up, take it from 1st, to 2nd, and then shift into neutral it will fall, but instead of stopping around 1k, it will dip to 500 or below, causing the car to shudder.

This only happens once, and I've noticed that if I let the car idle for about 15 minutes prior to driving, it doesn't usually happen. I'm assuming that this has something to do with temperature, but I'm not sure. I live in Oregon, so it gets a little cold, but never really below freezing all that often. I also don't remember this happening last winter. It does not happen in the warmer months. Any thoughts?

I drive a 1995 850, 153,xxx miles.

Thanks,

Eric
Current:
1995 850, black, manual
Previous:
1988 240, beige, manual
1998 v70, red, automatic

Ozark Lee
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Post by Ozark Lee »

If you have no codes then I would start by cleaning the Idle Air Control valve. The can get coated with gunk internally and not work properly on a cold engine. You can use about anything to clean it but I normally use spray carb cleaner.

...Lee
'94 850 N/A 5 speed
'96 Platinum Edition Turbo
Previous:
1999 V70XC - Nautic Blue - Totaled while parked.
1999 V70XC - RIP - Wrecked Parts Car.
1998 S70 T5
1996 850 N/A
1989 740 GLT
1986 740 GLT
1972 142 Grand Luxe

estipe
Posts: 10
Joined: 13 March 2013
Year and Model: 850, 1995
Location: Portland, OR

Post by estipe »

Great, will try this out. Thanks.
Current:
1995 850, black, manual
Previous:
1988 240, beige, manual
1998 v70, red, automatic

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