Car dies temporarily 1991 Volvo 740

From time to time, my 1991 Volvo 740 will die temporarily. I will be
driving along, and then the engine and all power will simply go off, as if a
switch had been thrown. It won't start, won't even turn over (no response
at all). After a while, it will start up again and go like nothing's wrong.
Immediately afterwards, it has been to a dealership, and to two independent
and reputable volvo shops. No one can figure it out. It happens when it's
been raining hard, and obviously it's an electrical problem. But the
mechanics can't duplicate it, even when soaking the engine intentionally.
This first happened a few years ago, but has reoccurred twice this year. Is
there anyone out there who is familar with this kind of problem?

 

I would replace the electrical part of the ignition switch.
I had about the same thing happen. 1992 740 wagon.
The engine skipped twice while merging into traffic,
about 4 miles later the engine turned off as if you
reached up and removed the key.
The OD light came on and all of the dash gauges went
zero all at once. Pulled over to the side of the road,
turned off the ignition key, turned back on and the
engine starte right up.
I replaced the electrical part of the ignition switch that
night and have not had any more problems in 2 years.
BD

 

I have a similar type of problem in that my engine will just cut out without
any notice. It is usually when the vehicle is idling but once or twice has
happened while going a long steadily in traffic. Scary stuff!

It can go for days without missing a beat then cutout two or three times in
a short trip. It will always start again if left for about 30 seconds.

Mechanic kept it for several days and gave it back saying there was a choice
of about 3 things that would be the cause. He didnt know which it would be.
Each would cost big $s to replace and may not solve the problem.

Any thoughts on this one will be graciously accepted

Thanks muchly

Q

 

What were they?

I've just had around 3 months of this with a 91/940.

From information I've found on sites :-

When the engine stops when travelling along does the rev counter still show
revs?

Mine did and so it was felt there was not an ignition problem.

When I concentrated on the injection side I found that if I removed and
shook the FI relay and then replaced it the car restarted immediately.
The relay was also often very warm. I could even make the car falter while
going along if I touched the relay.

I've changed the relay and it seems better so far. (48Euros)

DC

 

Dave, that is the standard fault which causes the symptom you experienced and
also the fault with Q's car.

Cheers, Peter.

: Q wrote:
:
: > I have a similar type of problem in that my engine will just cut out
: > without any notice. It is usually when the vehicle is idling but once or
: > twice has happened while going a long steadily in traffic. Scary stuff!
: >
: > It can go for days without missing a beat then cutout two or three times
: > in a short trip. It will always start again if left for about 30 seconds.
: >
: > Mechanic kept it for several days and gave it back saying there was a
: > choice of about 3 things that would be the cause.
:
: What were they?
:
: > He didnt know which it
: > would be. Each would cost big $s to replace and may not solve the problem.
: >
: > Any thoughts on this one will be graciously accepted
: >
:
: I've just had around 3 months of this with a 91/940.
:
: From information I've found on sites :-
:
: When the engine stops when travelling along does the rev counter still show
: revs?
:
: Mine did and so it was felt there was not an ignition problem.
:
: When I concentrated on the injection side I found that if I removed and
: shook the FI relay and then replaced it the car restarted immediately.
: The relay was also often very warm. I could even make the car falter while
: going along if I touched the relay.
:
: I've changed the relay and it seems better so far. (48Euros)
:
: DC
:

 

Thank you for this response. Is there a simple way to change the relay ?

 

Hi Peter,

Thanks for ur answers, since i experience the same troubles on my 940
europe version (2 liters DOHC). But i could not understand what u meant by
"the standard fault" . May u explain to me (Sorry for being so ignorant).
Plus do you confirm that if i change fuel injection relay I shall be Ok
? As a matter of fact, when all that stuff happens, my lambda sond light
stays on for a while, so I was thinking the sond may be out aged too
(154 000 km that is nearly 100 000 miles.) and i shall consider
replacing it as a necessary move .
Thanks .
Cheers from sunny Paris.

Vincent
940 gle 16v
Paris - France

Peter Milnes a écrit:

 

Yes if it's in the same place as the 940s, it's just behind the fuses, there
is more room if you remove the cigar lighter as well, there are 2 screws
behind its bezel.

Its the back lefthand relay with a white cover.

It really is a few minutes work, no way big bucks.

Fingers crossed my nightmares are over, I used to really worry when my wife
was out in the car.

DC

 

Left hand relay MIDDLE row.

Cheers, Peter.

: Q wrote:
:
: > Thank you for this response. Is there a simple way to change the relay ?
: >
:
: Yes if it's in the same place as the 940s, it's just behind the fuses, there
: is more room if you remove the cigar lighter as well, there are 2 screws
: behind its bezel.
:
: Its the back lefthand relay with a white cover.
:
: It really is a few minutes work, no way big bucks.
:
: Fingers crossed my nightmares are over, I used to really worry when my wife
: was out in the car.
:
: DC

 

YUP MY WIFES CAR DID THIS several times and a few $$$$$$.Besides the safety
peace of mind factor .The ignition was suspect but the "block "was replaced
,the oxygen sensor has just been relaced maybe that it ,as well there were
several other matters like the isolation switch on the transmission actually
down by the base of the gear lever ,stick or shift lever as you guys call it
..It would stop and not run for 20 minutes then act fine for a month .It even
seemed to know when we had important appointments as it let us down at
serious times like catching an aircraft flight .Good Luck .

 

On my housing the back lefthand corner is cut off, there's no connection
behind it. So it's the back one to me
_________
/ |
|X |
|_________|

But even ascii art is better than a thousand words.
X marks the spot.

DC

 

It is still the middle row as far as the relay rows are concerned. Try not to
confuse people with genuine questions by using your interpretation. The guy only
wants the correct information that all Volvo owners will understand.

There is a relay position that is not used on your housing. On my housing it is
used. That is the only difference. There are still three rows of relays so wise
up and don't try to be too smart for yourself, as it makes your well intentioned
information null and void.

Cheers, Peter.

: Peter Milnes wrote:
:
: > Left hand relay MIDDLE row.
: >
: On my housing the back lefthand corner is cut off, there's no connection
: behind it. So it's the back one to me
: _________
: / |
: |X |
: |_________|
:
: But even ascii art is better than a thousand words.
: X marks the spot.
:
: DC
:

 

OK point taken don't try to help because there's always someone who knows
better.

Don't bother to answer I just unsubscribed.