Hello,

This is my first post and need a little help trying to fix my parents car. The car is a 1988 240 DL with about 160,000 miles on it. My parents went to the store and came back to their car couldn''t get the car to start in which it towed back to their house. I checked it out and finally got it to start after mutiple attempts with hold my foot on the gas, but it would die during idle unless I kept my foot on the gas to keep it revving.

A little history about the car, the fuel relay was changed not to long ago. The air mass relay was also changed. The car would not even start when the air mass relay went out, but when changed with another used one the car ran fine. Could it be the fuel pump? Can a fuel pump semi work not providing enough fuel? Or maybe distributor? I have basic diagnostic skills not sure what to check and how to check. I most likely can fix anything on the car if I know the problem. If anyone can help I would most appreciate it. All fuses seem to be ok.

Check the coil contacts.

Check idle control valve below the intake manifold.
Can you hear the pump working for a few sconds after trying to start?
Check the fuel pump fuse under the hood near the coil.
Steve

fuel filter & pump #2 near L rrear wheel, at this age, typically filter blockage is common-but rarely enough to utterly kill the idle. if that bad, motor wouldn't run at all. Fuel pump prob ok as motor runs at higher speed. Suspect air leak in intake system-remove all hoses, check for cracks and poor fittings-especially the concertina hose. even a small leak is enough to cause serious trouble like this. use search option n this site to find similar threads "poor starting" etc-common problem, Pls avoid using used electronic parts-their long term viability is very questionable. expect odometer failure soon-a broken gear-DIY & non-OEM replacements avail.

I unplugged the mass air flow sensor and the car idled fine. So I went on Vlvworld.com and purchased a new remanufactured sensor. Thanks for your replys.

So I replaced the sensor with a new one i just got today and it seems to turn over fine and idle no prob. When i give it gas when driving or in park the car bogs big time with no power. I wonder if the air mass meter was even the prob. But the car turns over fine now with steady idle no prob just no power when given gas?

Check for leaks in induction system-remove concertina hose to examine, replace ALL hard/cracked/leaky/blocked vacuum hoses- check All electrical connections at AMM and throttlebody. Check air filter & its air intake for blockages, them plastic bags can cause much trouble. Check fuel pressure-use 14mm banjo fiitting to get feed to gauge from injector gallery. Source:Hydraulic hose repairer ENZED or similar. Do NOT just disconnect and read direct closed system pressure, pressure must be read with working return flow. Expect steady 68psi at all motor speeds & loads. Disconnect battery for a few secs to neutralize the learned settings. It will retune itself ok from default when you start it again.

Ok will do, I wanted to check my cam timing to the crank pulley, but couldn't figure out if the one lonesome mark on the second track closest to the front of the car on the crank pulley is 0 degree TDC? There are no indented lines expect for one on the second track closest to the front of the car?

I never worked on a volvo before and the bentley manual does not show the marking in a picuure. How can one check intermediate pully timing without taking the lower timing belt of? There must be a way to check timing without taking the lower timing belt cover off. I saw the marking for cam timing when taking off the upper timing belt cover. Just can't figure out intermediate pulley and crank pulley. Also on the crank pully timing belt cover there are like 4 pointing lines are those for distributor timing? Where is the pointer on the lower timing belt cover to match TDC on crank pulley?