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1992 Volvo (940) Dies in Rain[ALL/1998] posted by Larry Nagelberg on
Wednesday, 31 December 1997, at 1:53 p.m.
Driving home after work in pouring rain and after about 30 minutes on highway engine starts to buck with
no acceleration. I pull off to side. Engine runs but too rough to drive.
Towed to dealer. Promised to look at car first thing while car wet and problem obvious but they didn't get to
it till next day when dry.
Of course no more problem (when dry).
This same thing happened about 18 months ago (minus 30,000 miles) and that time the same dealer
supposedly caught problem (or at least I haven't had a problem since). At that time they did a full tune up -
wires, plugs, distributor cap. You should know that it 5 or 6 times leaving the car at various repair places
before I could finally catch the problem in the act and get it to someone.
Any ideas?
Re: 1992 Volvo (940) Dies in Rain[ALL/1998] posted by Dave Stevens on
Wednesday, 31 December 1997, at 3:16 p.m.
Sounds like a case of fuel pump arrythmia, in particular fuel pump relay-itis. Symptoms would be aggravated by condensation on humid days as the interior warms up leading to intermittent/weak electrical contact observed as tremors and seizures. Both treatable and preventable, this not uncommon problem is thought to be an inherited condition passed into the Volvo family by the Bosch genome as a dominant rather than recessive factor. Use of dielectric grease as a contraceptive in the mating of all electrical contacts will help prevent the spread of this dibilitating condition.
In your particular case, perhaps cleaning and re-seating the fuel pump relay and related fuses might help (all are buried in the centre console). Also check the fuel pump electrical connector and fuel pump ground connection (all should be under the rear seat area). As this kind of problem can leave you stranded on the side of the highway, I'd also go for a new fuel pump relay just to be safe. Once the contacts inside the relay start to pit the relay will start overheating leading to metal fatigue and eventual relay failure.
Re: 1992 Volvo (940) Dies in Rain[ALL/1998] posted by Larry Nagelberg on
Wednesday, 31 December 1997, at 4:05 p.m.
Dave,
Now can you explain how all Volvo dealers inherited the gene that caused their problems solving capabilities to be all "Bosched up"?
I can't wait to get this problem fixed by my non-Volvo dealer.
Thanks for all your help and have a Happy New Year!
Re: 1992 Volvo (940) Dies in Rain[ALL/1998] posted by Jim Hicks on
Wednesday, 31 December 1997, at 9:49 p.m.
My good friend just had the same problem on his car driving home to ny from washington dc in pouring rain on monday. His car died on the nj turnpike, had to be towed on a flatbed to ny 4 hours sitting with his kids in the top of a flatbed.
And Volvo, same thing...no answers....
But don't complain, they don't listen.
If you want to be different e-mail sweeden, maybe they care..
Re: 1992 Volvo (940) Dies in Rain[ALL/1998] posted by Robert on
Wednesday, 31 December 1997, at 10:51 p.m.
Larry and Jim,
I have seen this happen when rain water leaks in around the windshield washer nozzels. The water follows the hoses and drips off at the lowest point (right over the distributor). This causes mis-firing and very poor performance.
I have also seen a lot of Dealer bashing on the Brick board. You are certainly entitled to your opinion, but do you realize that most of the reliable and correct information being offered here is coming from dealership personel? I dont think they are trying to help because they feel guilty after a day of screwing their customers. I believe they sincerely care not only for their customers, but all Volvo owners. The Brick board would not have grown as it has without their input. My advise, dont bite the hand that feeds you. If you insult these guys enough to run them off, where will you be?
Robert
Re: 1992 Volvo (940) Dies in Rain[ALL/1998] posted by Bret Bodas on
Thursday, 1 January 1998, at 2:14 a.m.
Nicely said Robert! As a Volvo tech working for a Volvo dealership, it is a bit discouraging reading some of the posts on this board. Happy New Year
Re: 1992 Volvo (940) Dies in Rain[ALL/1998] posted by Jim Hicks on
Thursday, 1 January 1998, at 5:33 p.m.
I feel for you guys. But I believe there are certain problems like this one that
you really don't have a fix for, or are not sure, BUT still send people out on the
road thinking all is well. Many times it would be better to tell them the true
situation, rather that get towed sitting on a flat bed truck for 40 miles.
I think in the last 4 years VOLVO has had some serious techinal problems that
they are not willing to admit. Volvo is not what it used to be. I have had one for 14 years and my new c70 is nothing like the old volvo's.
Sorry if you do not agree.
Re: 1992 Volvo (940) Dies in Rain[ALL/1998] posted by Edward Mills on
Wednesday, 31 December 1997, at 6:23 p.m.
Look for electrical problems aggrivated by moisture. Had a similar problem in a 1988 740 Turbo wagon - after more than a month of chasing fuel pumps, filters, fuel lines, pressure regulators, relays, all the common problems noted on the list, finally found a broken connector on back of distributor. Wires were shorting at 2500 to 3000 rpm under cruise with light throttle application. It is apparently fairly common on the 740's, but don't know if common to 940's. Definitely worth a check since some Volvo Parts dept people seem to know the Part Number off the top of their heads. Best of luck.