850 will start, but won't keep running

My '96 850 GLT will start and run for about 10 to 20 seconds, then stumble and die. I wait a few seconds, restart it and the same thing happens. This just started yesterday, with no forewarning symptoms.

Any ideas?

Reply to
Phil Kallis
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need a new fuel filter, need a new air filter?

Reply to
Fred

If you press the gas some does it stay running? If yes, clean the throttle plate. Look at the hose from the air filter box to throttle plate and see if it has come loose, split or broken in two. BD

Reply to
BigDick

unplug the air mass meter, start the car and see if it will idle, if so the AMM is probably bad.

Reply to
Islandguy77554

Reply to
Dan Behr

Reply to
Phil Kallis

Here is a very useful link to research and find information regarding a wide range of Volvo issues and self-help instruction. About 3/4 of the way down the page you'll find "Electronic engine systems components, 850/70 Series" You'll find a diagram identifying the location of the Air Mass Meter:

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Many of the indepth instructions and articles are in .pdf format so you may need to download a viewer from the Adobe Acrobat website.

Reply to
850TURBOpbp65

Have a good waggle of the igntion key back and forth slightly after you've started the engine. These often wear and go faulty and cut power to the fuel pump- especially if you have a big weight of other keys hanging on the fob.

Otherwise fuel pump relays often die on the 850 too.

Tim..

Reply to
Tim (Remove NOSPAM.

Fellow listers:

Here's an update on the original post:

I sent the car to a mechanic, who sent it to another mechanic with a OBD reader, who said that two codes came back:

1) Bad engine temp sensor 2) Bad EFI computer

He said that it's more likely to be a bad EFI computer, which would also give a false bad reading on the temperature sensor.

This didn't seem like the best of news and I asked him the cost of another EFI computer. His reply was that he tried the local junkyards (He KNEW I'd turn down the dealer option instantly), but could not find one. He estimated that it would cost ~200.00 from a salvage yard somewhere.

However, upon reflection, I wonder if this is the case. I know the car was running just fine the day before. Next day, just after I started it and went down the road 1/8th of a mile, when the engine died.

First off, is there a separate fuel injection computer? Secondly, what is the cost of such a device? And thirdly, is this a likely scenario? Fourth, where might I find an "EFI computer" reasonably priced, if that's what I need?

The car is a '96 850 GLT, non-turbo 20 valve, 5 cylinder engine.

Thanks all...

Phil Kallis wrote:

Reply to
Phil Kallis

could be the air mass meter.

Reply to
Islandguy77554

You need a real mechanic who knows what they are doing.

Mechanic #1 who doesn't even have a code reader is clearly not a qualified mechanic in the modern world.

Mechanic #2 who just reads out some codes does not sound much better.

You need someone who is fully familiar with Bosch engine controls and better yet with Volvos. This either means a Volvo dealer (if you know a good one), a good independent Volvo specialist, and/or a Bosch certified independent specialist.

This is not a problem to fix by internet remote control or by unqualified technicians.

John

Reply to
John Horner

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