Hi,
my now very trusty '91 245 turned 193,000 on my birthday (i think we are the same age...) last week. As if to memorialize the event the next morning the dreaded 'check engine light'(re)appeared.

I dropped it off at the expensive but good Volvo shop for diagnosis. I let them know these symptoms:
1) check the codes that triggered the 'check engine light'
2) When gas is low in the tank I can hear the fuel pump very clearly
3) The car sounds different, takes longer to start, or may not start on first turn of the key (sometimes cranking a long time)

What I did *not* tell them because I was worried that I was imagining it/too embarassed:
a) that just a couple of times going uphill on the interstate the car lurched or seemed to have a major 'miss' but then resumed as if nothing had happened
b) I haven't cleaned the flame trap (can't find a picture or instruction in the Haynes. It seems the Volvo equivalent to flossing.
c) That the car needs a really good tune (i.e. I haven't done it yet and I have done 25,000 miles in 13 months, so anything could be up.
d) Faint fuel odor at start up

The diagnosis was:
1) AMM maybe out (quote $350.00 ++ !!)
2) The pre-pump is shot (quote $500++)
3) Oxygen sensor could be iffy

The suggested 'treatment' is reset the light, fill the tank and keep it above half full.

My questions are:
* Do IPD still have rebuilt AMMs
* Can I source the pre-pump and hose easily and do it myself?
* How does the flame trap relate to all this

Apologies for length, looking forward to the reply

thanks

Oh those crazy fun-loving grease monkeys are at it again with your hard earned cash! That is good. $25 for a used AMM if you hit the pick and pulls. I have a couple hundred thousand miles on AMMS acquired used, no problem. Or buy one for $75. In-tank pump hose, $2, but first you need to measure or observe flow from the in-tank pump. In the worst case, the pump might be damaged or dead, $50.

and most of the O2 sensors out there are "iffy" so I would start by looking there myself.

I reread my post this morning and see that I did not say what I was thinking. Many O2 sensors will pass the test of showing function by fluctuating voltage readings with a VOM. I am told they sometimes get lazy and don't respond quick enough to do a good job. What I meant to say was I would NOT start by looking at the O2 sensor as the root of your problem. I don't see your symptoms as indicating a problem with the O2 sensor. Sorry for any confusion this may have caused.

Not that your symptoms are classic indicators of problems with the fuel injection relay or the RPM sensor but if either are original at the mileage you indicate (not likely) they should be changed. The relay will have a date stamped on the case (it is located on the firewall above the passengers feet).

Randy

I would:
check the codes yourself.
Get a repair manual and test the pre pump, O2 sensor, find the flame trap. Or use the 700/900 Faq and archives to get this info.
Doubt the AMM, but used ones are about $60.
--
744 & 745 GLE's (IPD a-sbars)16v M46, 245 SE(IPD a-sbars) auto, 242Ti M46(IPD springs and bars), 745GL 8v auto

Did they ever tell you what code it was showing when they checked for them??

Doesn't sound like they know what is wrong with it either; I would be willing to bet the AMM is just fine... and most of the O2 sensors out there are "iffy" so I would start by looking there myself.

Actual code numbers they found would be helpful.

Randy

The intake Pump may not be the problem it could be the small gas hose that joins the Pre pump to the Fuel Sending unit. They rip and suck air when the tank goes below 1/2.

The Flame trap is an easy maintenance item. The cost is nothing if you want to run a small drill bit through the holes to clean them.

AMM... I would not look there until you figure out the Pre-pump hose.

Yes you can do it yourself ..if yo get a little lucky. The Bong Nut that attaches the Sending unit to the tank is usually crusted on teh tank. (sedan or wagon?) there is a trap door under the carpet in the sedans to access this Bong Nut. I wish Volvo made a larger opening in the Trap door.
Do a SEARCH on 'Sending Unit' There should be a blow by blow on this website somewhere. It's been asked many times.
--
'75 Jeep CJ5 345Hp ChevyPwrd, two motorcycles, '85 Pickup: The '89 Volvo is the newest vehicle I own. it wasn't Volvos safety , it was Longevity that sold me http://home.no.net/ebrox/Tony's%20cars.htm