Volvo 850 idle problem when engine cold

Pejip · Post by **Pejip** » 04 Apr 2006, 05:21

Hello,

I have a Volvo 850 GLT with 180 000 miles.

I have the following problem.

When starting the engine for the first time (cold), the idle is okay.
After a short drive, the idle start decreasing until it stalls.
When I start the engine again and it is warn, there is no more idle
problem.

However I notice when the engine is warn and I accelerate a lot around
5500 rpm, then the idle increases a little bit around 1100 rpm.

Could anybody help me?

Thanks in advance,

Pejip

White850Turbo · Post by **White850Turbo** » 04 Apr 2006, 06:16

Is the lambda light on? What kind of gas mileage are you getting? What model year is the car?

Pejip · Post by **Pejip** » 04 Apr 2006, 06:58

Hi,

The car is from 1993.

When I start the engine (cold), the RPM is decreasing while the engine temperature increases.
Before the engine stalls, I usually stop it and restart it. And then the idle is perfect.

If I let the engine stall, sometimes the lambda light turned on.

Concerning the gas mileage, I try to change it but it does not change anything.

Thanks for your help.

Pejip

White850Turbo · Post by **White850Turbo** » 04 Apr 2006, 07:09

http://www.volvospeed.com/CheckEngine.php

^^ Follow this procedure to obtain codes from your engine computer.

From the description of your problem, it could be a vacuum leak or a problem with a sensor. The codes will help determine the cause better though. Be sure to post the codes up and we'll help to figure out the problem from them.

Pejip · Post by **Pejip** » 04 Apr 2006, 11:16

Hi,

I got the code on box A:

A2=1-1-1
A6=1-1-1
A3=3-1-1
A7=2-3-1

It seems there is no fault on ignition and motor!!!

Do you know what it means for A3 and A7?

Thanks
pejip

l33tDad · Post by **l33tDad** » 04 Apr 2006, 12:45

A3 (ABS/TRACS) 311 - Left front wheel sensor, open/short

Don't know what A7 is as my book says instrumentation cluster, but doesn't give a result for 231..

White850Turbo · Post by **White850Turbo** » 04 Apr 2006, 14:08

Okej, 2-3-1 on A7 socket looks like the one causing the problem. This is a fuel trim code, meaning that the ECU has tried to adjust air/fuel mixture outside of it's normal range (The engine is running too rich). I'd recommend carefully inspecting all vacuum lines, check the oil level and fuel pressure also.

Here is Volvo's information regarding DTC 2-3-1:

The MFI module receives information from HO2S if the air/fuel mixture is too rich in the part

l33tDad · Post by **l33tDad** » 04 Apr 2006, 14:25

Is there a better book (or website) listing the codes than the stupid, lame Haynes manual that I have?

Pejip · Post by **Pejip** » 04 Apr 2006, 14:35

Are you sure of the fault code meaning.

in http://www.volvospeed.com/Repair/ftrap.php it is written that A7 refers to Combined Instrument.

If it has been A2, I would have agree.

Do you confirm?

Pejip · Post by **Pejip** » 04 Apr 2006, 14:43

It seems the cause you gave is for A2.
I found it on another forum.

However it is true that I notice an increase of fuel consumption.

Pejip