This is going to sound like a repeat of an earlier situation with another car.

We have a 1990 760 Turbo (intercooler) wagon with 147k miles. The vehicle will die at random, stop lights, freeway, city streets, etc. It will usually start up once I coast to a stop, or it will take a minute or so before it starts. It can go months before it dies, and then it may die every day for a week or so.

I've had 3 different mechanics try to solve the mystery. So far, we have replaced:

System relay
Air Mass Meter
Spark Plugs
Cap & Rotor
Plug Wires
Speed sensor
Power Amp Ignition
TB Gasket (during cleaning I'm assuming).

No luck with fixing the problem so far. Want to take a crack at it?

I just checked the fault codes and they read 2-3-2 & 3-1-1.

Thanks for the help!

The 232 code points to a vaccum leak.(longterm fuel trim)
The 311speedometer signal absent.
I would try to keep an eye on the fuel pressure.May be a bad fuel pump.

I've had similar experience as my 88 volvo 760 GLE died at random also.
I've changed the spark plugs & wires distributor cap & rotor even fuel injection relay, fuel pump relay. The problem still persisted.

Then I realized I have to go back the basic factors of how an engine runs, "Air, Fuel & Electricity".
I've checked the air intake valve & cleaned.
I removed all the spark plugs to check their condition and found they all looked wet. There is fuel just no or not enough electrical spark.
This will eliminate the 2 possible faulty factor of "Air & Fuel".
Since the problem only happened at random, I cannot test the electrical sparks accuratly.
The only thing left I could do is to replace the "Ignition control unit" located under the air filter box mounted on the fender connected with a plug-in cable.
I found a used ignition control unit from a junk yard for $10 & replaced to try.

Bingo!
Problem solved! :57:

I hope you might do the same & have your problem solved. :)

Thanks for the help. I've thought it may be a fuel issue, but the way the engine just dies without surging like vehicle running out of fuel made me think it's something electrical. Have you seen this issue with the fuel pump before?

The Volvo just quit on me this morning at a stop light. Just died. It did start on the second try. Total time that elapsed was about 20 seconds. No check engine fault this time. I had been on the road for about 35 minutes when it happened.

I may look into a used ignition control unit and try it. Thanks Abram!

My car stalled exactly the same way & manner as you've said. I knoe how frustrating it is.
I've changed one thing after another.
The specialist in Volvo in town only put their attention on fuel system, which might have been the commom source.
They could change all the suspecious parts one piece at a time without guarantee, and you have to pay for them all.

I believe by replacing the ignition control module (unit new or used) get one used from your local junk yard like I did. It will cost only $10-20.
You'll be a happy man ever after. :D

No, Fuel pump issue will not have the same symptom.
My old 265 had fuel pump problem, I had to keep topping up the fuel tank.
The engine started jerking when ever fuel level now to 1/4 of the fuel tank.
When I fill it back up above 1/2 or more, things improved.

Could be the module but could still be the fuel pump.

I replaced the fuel pump relay last night. IWhen I pulled the plastic cover off the old one, I noticed that one of the solder joints was cracked. I'm not sure if that was the problem, but I'll find out soon enough!

Thanks for all the help!!!

Keep us posted.The relay might have been original.You can see by looking on the outside if the relay.The date is stamped on the outside of the relay.
I have seen that many times before causing the same problem as you have.

- UPDATE -

No stalls since I installed the new fuel pump relay last week! The old fuel pump relay was the original, date stamped 1990.

Thanks!!!

Your welcome.

Hi
I have the 760 GLE and dies randomly, today did it 4 times, the record!!
Tomorrow I'll try the Ignition control part that was mentioned, and let you know if it works, for those frustrated like me.
Best regards

I, too, have a 1990 760 Turbo Wagon. It has stalled for the last year or so, but lately has gotten much worse. Now, when I drive 1/2 mile in the morning, it dies at the first stop light.

It also has died while driving, always when I let up on the accelerator and coast.

I just replaced the Ignition Control Module (Power thingy, $50. from AutoZone) just above the battery on the left front fender. No improvement.

I get a 4-1-1 code, which is (I think) "failed signal from the Ignition Module".

I will check the fuel relay, mentioned by one of the reponders, and also will check wires, grounds, and vacuum hoses.

This is a very frustrating problem and the dealers don't seem to have a clue as to how to fix it. (Two recommended installing a new computer, which "probably" will fix it.)

Please let us know if your problem finally is fixed.


Regards,
Jim O'Connell

Hi Stroller,

Where is the Fuel Pump Relay located? Is the the "J" relay located under the dash on the right side of the console? Or is it located under the hood, e.g., two relays located on the left side, inboard of the test box or two relays located on the right side? I would love to replace mine but I'm not sure where it is located.

Has your car continued to operate without stalling for the last three months?

As I said in my last post, I replaced the Ignition Control Module (also called Power Amp Module) with a new one. I checked and cleaned connections, such as the primary wires on the ignition coil and everything else I could see.

Now, with the new Ignition Control/Power Amp Module, after I start the engine and let it idle, it runs for about 25-30 seconds, then dies. I have not tried to drive it as I did not want to get stuck on the road--again. It will not start immediately after stalling but will start normally if I let it sit for 10-15 minutes.

This is driving me crazy!

Regards, Jim

This sounds almost exactly like the old family 240's stalling problem.
Started, ran for 30 secs, stalled etc.
I tried: replacing fuel filters
replacing fuel pump relay
cleaned and checked air mass meter
replaced ecu (computer)

all were no help

then my mechanic tested the ignition coil
there was some sort of problem but it turned out to be the spark plug wires.
He sprayed water at them at night and saw that they were arcing.
After replacing those, the car has run great ever since.....at it is an 84 with over 300,000 miles!

Hope this helps.