Volvo AWD 850 Forum

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Poor idle when cold 850 1997

posted by dewey on Wed Jan 5 11:26 CST 2011
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last visit: Tue Feb 5 12:04 CST 2013

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After resolving my frozen intercooler, thanks to Klaus, i have immediately developed another slight problem. Normally my car idles perfect when starting on cold winter mornings but now the idle fluctuates between about 600-900rpm. It seems fine when warm. If it's not fully warmed up it will burp when you touch the gas pedal slightly. Also when cold it will chug a little when accelerating slowly although I've had that symptom for quite some time. I've noticed somethng else, not sure if it is realted but when I shift from D to R it seems to clunk into reverse, not smooth like before. Thanks in advance for help.

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Poor idle when cold 850 1997

posted by KlausC on Wed Jan 5 16:16 CST 2011
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last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014

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While poking around the engine bay, you didn't happen to loosen one of the small vacuum lines? And all of the IC connections are still nice and tight...

Cleaning the throttle body is always good practice, but that will not resolve your low idle speed. It should always idle at 950 or so when warm and just slightly higher when cold.

I would flush the tranny fluid, if that wasn't done at 90K miles. Check the spark plug gap = .028

Klaus
--
Always willing to listen, just not able to take direction.

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Poor idle when cold 850 1997

posted by mbliss on Thu Jan 6 15:00 CST 2011
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last visit: Tue Oct 21 20:49 CST 2014

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Hi Klaus, seems to me that if the IAC wasn't operating smoothly because of gunk in it, that could cause a fluctuating idle, since he's complaining of fluctuation, not just low idle speed. Might not that also explain the "burp" at low acceleration? Seems like if the throttle plate wasn't returning to the fully closed position or opening slightly for the same reason, that could also cause problems. Inquiring minds would like to know ;-)

--
'96 850T and '83 244 DL both at about 200K, '97 850T5; gone but not forgotten '81 245 and '64 Amazon

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Poor idle when cold 850 1997

posted by KlausC on Thu Jan 6 15:37 CST 2011
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last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014

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All true. I am just looking for other reasons for the idle to be low when cold, like not enough fuel because of a poor ECT sensor, a blocked vacuum line, EGR valve stuck for CA and New England cars...

The IAC would be a problem at any temp, not just cold. A dirty throttle body, heck, they are all dirty! No one ever cleans them!

Klaus
--
Always willing to listen, just not able to take direction.

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Poor idle when cold 850 1997

posted by mbliss on Thu Jan 6 22:07 CST 2011
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last visit: Tue Oct 21 20:49 CST 2014

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>A dirty throttle body, heck, they are all dirty! No one ever cleans them!

I can't be the only one who does ;-)

Otherwise, that wasn't a challenge, just wanting to know more. That's what makes this forum so great for learning. Your posts are always educational!

--
'96 850T and '83 244 DL both at about 200K, '97 850T5; gone but not forgotten '81 245 and '64 Amazon

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Living without learning 850 1997

posted by KlausC on Thu Jan 6 23:20 CST 2011
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last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014

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Is existing. I enjoy every moment when I learn something new, and the Brickboard has never let me down.

A clean car with a clean engine makes for a happy driver :>)

Besides, having a beer when the task is done and the engine is still crackling while cooling down...

Klaus
--
Always willing to listen, just not able to take direction.

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Poor idle when cold 850 1997

posted by dewey on Wed Jan 5 17:43 CST 2011
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last visit: Tue Feb 5 12:04 CST 2013

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Tranny fluid is flushed every 25k-30k with synthetic ATF.
But it is getting close to 30k now.
I will double check the connections.

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Poor idle when cold 850 1997

posted by mbliss on Wed Jan 5 14:44 CST 2011
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last visit: Tue Oct 21 20:49 CST 2014

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When were the IAC and throttle body last cleaned?

--
'96 850T and '83 244 DL both at about 200K, '97 850T5; gone but not forgotten '81 245 and '64 Amazon

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Poor idle when cold 850 1997

posted by dewey on Wed Jan 5 15:17 CST 2011
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last visit: Tue Feb 5 12:04 CST 2013

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As far as I know never and I've driven the car for 130k miles. I guess I didn't know about that.

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