I was driving the '88 240 the other day when the engine just quit while under acceleration. I was pulling away from a stop sign and when I pressed the gas it just died immediately. When I got over to the side of the road I tried to start it again, but couldn't hear the main fuel pump running. I waited a couple of minutes and cranked it over. This time I could hear the main pump after each crank and the car started back up. I made it home without it stopping again. I can also hear the intank pump running through the filler cap. Maybe it needs a fuel filter? I have never heard of a main fuel pump failing in this way (where it works only sometimes). The PO of this car also said that it did the same thing to him once.

Thanks in advance.
Dave

If you haven't done so already I would check the condition of the 25 amp fuse and holder located near the battery.

hello david,
dan and klaus are right on the money.

not your problem it sounds like, but i have a spare fuel pump on the shelf. instead of the fuel pump relay, it had been the pump before.

regards,
byron golden
86 245
92 245

Fuel (pump) system relay would be the first suspect if it restarts right away. Dan

If it has been a while, go ahead and replace the fuel filter - it will not hurt.

As for the pump quitting, suspect the fuel pump relay. Or the fuse in the engine compartmeng getting corroded.

Klaus
--
1995 854T and 1998 V70R

i had my fuel pump relay not work when it was freezing in the morning, after the sun got on the car it worked. turns out water got into the relay, would freeze open , and then when the car heated up, and the ice melted the car would run.

but its 90 degrees today, and my car stopped as i rounded a corner. engine spun fast, suspect timing belt. hope yours is not a timing belt...

you might want to look at the terminal connctions under the body where the fuel pump is located. a faulty ground will cause a lot of intermitent problems that self resolve, only to reappear later

also check the fuse contact on the main fuse panel...remove the fuses for the main and in tank pump, clean the contacts and replace. sometimes just turning/twisting the fuses will get the pump to start working again