1990 240dl 1-1-3 error codes and idle problems

durk80 · Post by **durk80** » 25 Oct 2015, 12:06

Hi, I recently bought a 1990 240 dl 5 speed. One of the things that I have noticed with this car is that whenever I turn it on, it idles at 900 rpms--regardless of whether the engine is hot or cold. It's a pretty solid idle, with a few slight dips. I'm used to my 95 850 glt going into high idle and then settling down once it is warmed up.

Is this normal with a 240?

I am thinking it is not, so I performed the OBD I code diagnostic. With the lead in #2, I received 1-1-3, 1-3-1, and 2-2-1 error codes. Bank 6 was 1-1-1. I also pulled a spark plug to see what condition it was in (changed last weekend) and it had a nice layer of carbon black upon its surface.

Has anyone ever had a problem like this? If so, what do I need to do so the car doesn't run super rich?

Thanks in advance!

Andy

durk80 · Post by **durk80** » 25 Oct 2015, 13:31

I will also add that the temperature gauge never reaches the mid-point between the 'cool' and 'hot' marks. When it finally get warm, it sits 1/4" below where the mid-point should be.

I was wondering if this would throw the 1-1-3 code, or simply be the result of another failure?

5ft24 · Post by **5ft24** » 30 Oct 2015, 10:37

my 90 740 would do the same... Replace the thermostat. its stuck open. idle comes back to normal

durk80 · Post by **durk80** » 31 Oct 2015, 09:32

Thank you so much for your response! I will do that after I complete the pcv job on my 95 850 GLT. I will let everyone know if that fixes the problem.

5ft24 · Post by **5ft24** » 06 Nov 2015, 11:11

my 90 740 did the same. once I replaced the thermostat, idle returned to normal, and mileage went up.

durk80 · Post by **durk80** » 07 Nov 2015, 10:15

I replaced the thermostat and cleaned the fouled plugs from running too rich however, the engine is still hesitating when I step on the gas.

I decided to check the OBD I again. The codes that appeared were: 2-1-3 throttle switch full load setting faulty or grounding short ; 1-1-3 fuel trim lambda too lean or rich; 2-2-1 fuel trim lambda control too lean at part load.

I believe that I fixed the throttle switch (the 2-1-3 code) because when I looked, it was only attached with one screw, so I found another and replaced it.

I'm not sure what to do about the fuel trim error codes (1-1-3 & 2-2-1) though.

Do I need to get a new oxygen sensor?

Or, is it something totally different like perhaps an air box thermostat?

Any help or suggestions are graciously appreciated!

Andy

5ft24 · Post by **5ft24** » 07 Nov 2015, 10:49

Check the connector where the O2 plugs into the harness. on mine, the ground for the heater was loose/crusty. i snipped it off and put 2 female 1/4" quick disconnects, and on the O2, put 2 Male quick disconnects. Issue gone.
Seems the wiring on these older Volvo's has issues. also, if the throttle switch still has issues, just replace it. mine had a part of the full throttle switch contacts broken apart inside shorting things out

durk80 · Post by **durk80** » 07 Nov 2015, 16:37

About two weeks ago, I cleaned the contacts of the O2 sensors with a light sandpaper after I put in new plugs. Today, I the spark plugs out again and had to clean them because all of the plugs were covered with carbon black deposits.

I can check the contacts again on the O2 sensor, but I'm pretty sure that they are clean, tight, and have a coating of dielectric grease on the contacts.

I have reset the OBD I computer again to see if the throttle position sensor is fixed or not, but I'm thinking now that my oxygen sensor is toast since this is the second time I've reset the computer and the lambda codes keep coming up.

Is there anything else that would throw the codes for lambda sensors?

One thing I do know is that it's a money pit.

5ft24 · Post by **5ft24** » 14 Nov 2015, 15:04

Mine still was causing issues after cleaning and sanding the contacts. That was why I cut the 2 wire connector off for the heater wires and crimped on the 1/4" quick disconnect spade terminals. Issue immediately disappeared.

durk80 · Post by **durk80** » 01 Dec 2015, 17:42

1/4" quick disconnect spade terminals. Issue immediately disappeared.

That's a really an ingenious idea Thank you!