'89 240.... occasional loss of power

one of the problems I've had with my 240 wagon since buying it 3 years ago has been occasional episodes of loss of power. Generally, it runs great, but sometimes there's just nothing there, the engine stumbles, no acceleration, etc. The only thing I've found that fixes it is to pull over, shut the engine off, pop the hood, and work the connector to the Mass Air Sensor on and off several times. When I restart, the car is ok again. The problem occurs at random (hot, cold engine, warm, cold, wet, dry day, first startup of the day or after several stops for errands). The plugs and plug wires are new, Air filter replaced every other oil change, Flame trap cleaned regularly, along with checking vacuum hoses. The fuel pumps and filter were replaced (probably unnecessarily) a little over a year ago. The connector to the Air Mass Sensor seems to be free of corrosion, and I've cleaned the contacts with some PRO-GOLD contact treatment. The "fix" can last hours, days, even weeks, but the problem returns... any other thoughts?

m9876c at yahoo dot com

Reply to
Perry Noid
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acceleration,

Perhaps cracked solder joints within the air mass meter itself? The fact that fiddling with the connector seems to fix it for a while suggests something in the vicinity, or perhaps it's just a coincidence and having the engine off for a moment is what fixes it.

Reply to
James Sweet

sounds like a new air mass sensor might be in order!... Could also be the harness, although the wires look to be in good shape, no obvious wear or strain.....

any idea if the sensor can be opened to resolder? My guess is that it's a sealed unit, and probably not cheap!

Reply to
Perry Noid

I think it can be opened actually, I'm about to find out as I have a dead one sitting out in the garage. I can verify though that it isn't cheap, it's about $500 from the dealer, but I've seen remanufactured units for around $250. I usually buy them when I find them at junkyards for $20.

Reply to
James Sweet

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