I've just bought a 1994 440. In the first week it wouldn't start. Would turn over but just not fire up. Called the automobile association - started staright away when they arrived. Embarassing. :( Stalled when I put it in reverse, stalled again when I put it into drive. Got moving but stalled at first set of lights.

Took it to the Volvo specialists - $400 later they said it was corroded fuel pump relay. The corrosion would allow a cold start, but not always a warm one.

Driving it home from mechanics; felt like it was about to stall as I coasted to a stop. It gave a big shudder and came good. Was told it was the transmission not changin as I stopped.

$250 later - transmission serviced. Next day sitting at the traffic lights - the was a lot of traffic so I'd been sitting there a couple of minutes when, an almighty shudder as if it was going to stall and then came right again.

Any ideas?

Ooh a 440 problem I havent encountered yet!
I guess I would check the oxygen sensor, I guess the dealers have checked the engine codes, also check the vacuum lines fronm the injectors I guess, those are the areas that have caused me problems with bad running and judders.
Grendel

That might be it. I'll make sure those expensive Volvo 'expert' mechanics check the sensor.

It's just done much the same this morning. Cold start - no worries.
drove about 1km. So I was parked for about 10 minutes.

It restarted OK, but stalled about 10secs later.

Restarted - put it into drive - stalled.
Did the same again.
I got it moving by keeping the revs up and used my left foot for the brake, but at first intersction it shuddered and almost stalled as I was moving off under light acceleration.(had only stoppped for a second)

I am beginning to hate cars with, sensors and computers!. It's bringing out my inner luddite! :)

I never had any problem with my 1972 Rover P6B. It had a choke I could pull out, started rain hail or heat wave.

Apart from needing my own personal oil refinery to keep it full of petrol.........

When it wont start Check for spark From the coil wire and or Spark plug wire(s).

Would that explain its random "shudders" whilst sitting at idle?
It doesn't have a problem when hammering along. If something was loose would't it occur going over bumps too?

I hope the "specialst Volvo mechanics" checked the blooming spark when they were diagnosing the problem.

It dont have to be anything loose But if your driving or idling and it stalls and wont start right away Check for Spark like I said Above You just hold the wire to a good earth\ground Metal part on engine and if you dont see any spark while cranking the engine over than the problem or at least one problem is ignition related.

Or if it always starts back up then check for vacuum leaks or it could be MAF or MAP Sensor or a related air Pressure\temp sensor

Thanks I'll try that.

The "Viking" stalled again this morning.
Drove a short distance (left it idling in Park to avoid last week's problem) but as soon as I put it into Drive - the bugger stalled. I had to blip the acclerator to get it started and keep if full of revs to get it to move off without stalling.

The car is now being referred to as "the Viking" not because of its swedish origins but because if it keeps this silliness up - it'll get a Viking Funeral!

I'm not that mechanical. I pay others to get grease under their fingernails. ;) I don't have the time to do it myself either.

I have removed and replaced an engine ONCE. Tha was quite enough hanging off of pulleys and swearing at immovable nuts that seem to be neither imperial nor metric in size.
That engine was one that relied on engineering to run, not sensors, computers and fuel injectors.
Give me an SU carbie, a mechanical fuel pump and a manual choke and I'll know what should happen.

PS I am female - no one expects me to fix my car.

The latest episode
Back to the mechanics Monday. Stalled twice when changing from P to D on the way there.

They couldn't find anything wrong - "It idled in the workshop for ages. The computer didn't show any codes."


What the.....?

These people are twits! it doesn't have a problem idling OUT of gear. It had a problem idling IN GEAR!!!

Did they take it for a test drive? NO


It shuddered THREE times for me on the way home. Basically every time I had to stop in traffic for more than 30 seconds. I had to sit there with one foot on the brake and the other keeping up the revs so it wouldn't shudder and stall.

If I can get to happen every day in the conditions described IN WRITING to them. How is it that they can't ?
They Volvo "specialists" are computer technicians. I'm taking it to a grease monkey instead.

Does it always Start back up when it stalls Now ? If so do you have to step on the gas pedal or will it start fine normal not touching gas pedal Either way it could be dirty throttle body or IACV idle air control valve Or one or more of the sensors I mentioned above.

Yes, it starts easily enough when it stalls. Though the other day I had to blip the accelerator to get it to catch.
I searched the forums and found similar problems with other Volvo models that could be due to:
dirty injectors
idle control valve
Coolant sensor
Oxygen sensor
Air mass sensor
vacuum lines


I am taking to a mechnical mechanic next Thursday (not the Volvo dealer computer mechanics). I have the above possible causes on a list and will get the mechanic to check each one in person (not through a computer)

Thank you for the feedback and suggestions so far. If I do find out what the gremiln is, I'll post it here. :57:

PS I remember someone I knew when living in Zambia hired the services of a witch doctor for his Peugeot 504 that was constantly plagued with mecahnical problems.

I can't remember if it worked or not ...... :blush:

Since it always starts back up and you have to step on the gas some times to give it more air and it stalls and shudders while idling in drive which is a little lower idle speed I think it has to do with the IACV Idle Air control valve and or dirty throttle body And you say that It runs good when its not idling right ?

Yes It runs like a dream when I'm flogging it along the freeway.

Will get the idle air control valve replaced next Thursday.

Fingers crossed that that'll fix it.

Try cleaning the Idle air control valve and throttle body with carb cleaner in the spray can before replacing the idle valve. I would not replace the Idle valve until your sure its not working right.

also dont forget to check for clogged or leaking vacuum hoses and breather hoses. I usually end up tracking through each sensor, disconnecting them one by one to see if that made a difference, checking each connector and hose / pipe etc en route.

Grendel

At last it appears to be fixed.
So for the benefit of others who may experience the same problem
The plugs were grotty - changed them (easy)
The leads were not quite right - changed them (easy)

Fuel filter had not been changed (those bloody Volvo experts didn't change that, but replaced the fuel pump relay - what idiots) - new fuel filter (easy)

AND a second hand idle air intake contol. Cheaper than a new one and has done the trick.

It's behaving perfectly. The old mechanic I took it to can't believe the "experts" didn't remove the distributor and LOOK.

Excellent news, this car should give you years of good service now you have lavished some attention it. I wish you all the best.
Grendel

oh but it it's not!

Friday night - 6pm empty car park.

Turns over but won't fire up!

Call Automotive assocation - no power to the coil. Power to starter, power to fuel pump.

mucking around for one hour - under the dash, blaming the immobiliser
back under the bonnet - wiggle wires over radiator. THe bloomin' thing started!

back to auto electricians - been there since!

Anybody want a 440 in Adelaide SA? You can have it.