I'm stuck at work. My reliable and well maintained 740 wagon died like I switched off the ignition. Came back out an hour later. Started- ran normally for 30 seconds. Died.

Cranks, but no cough. Starting fluid in intake hose. Coughs- burns out the fluid, and then cranks uselessly.

Fuel pump? I tried checking/;wiggling #1 fuse- no joy.

Ideas very welcome.

Next time go to www.stepbystepvolvo.com for free guide to 740 no-starts. You would have been able to diagnose faulty main fuel pump there. But replacing it is no fun at all.

Well, in this case it was the fuel pump. I had to pay $360 to have it replaced. Too bad the guy replaced the fuel filter too- I had done that last summer, but I wasn't asked first.

I regret the expense, but didn't have a day to do the job before needing the car for work.

At any rate, the advice here is excellent- thanks!

It might have been the fuel pump, but the fuel pump may have been driven to an early demise by the fuel pressure regulator. It's up on the front of the engine in Bosch injected cars. When it dies the fuel no longer circulates and cools the pump. Make sure your pump isn't whining loudly or you'll be looking at buying ANOTHER pump in a few weeks. This is easy enough to check. Just loosen the return line to the tank and see if fuel is flowing. If not, replaced the regulator.

The other thing to check is to make sure the pump in the tank is working. If it's not, the main pump will be working too hard and its life will be shortened. Take off the gas cap with the car running and listen for a whirring noise inside the tank. No whirring? The feed pump in the tank is in need of replacement. Read the FAQs on how to replaced. There's an access cover under the floor of the wagon behind the back seat.
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D '90 745T 229k, '88 744GLE 129k, '96 328i, '73 911T 100k+

Certainly check the radio suppression relay. If it fails the injectors will not pulse and supply fuel.

Easy to check by jumpering the two heaviest wires in the connector to the relay. With the jumper in place if it starts and runs the relay could be bad. They respond well to reflowing the contacts on the circuit board. Reapply silicone to the case to seal it up when finished.

Randy

Certainly check out the fuel pump and relay.

RSR and intake manifold grounds are another likely culprit

fuel pump relay. Behind the ashtray. Check if it is hot. Check the FAQ board.
Many keep a good one to troubleshoot with.

Every Volvo I have had, it needed to be replaced

rob

Lots of good info here ...
http://www.brickboard.com/FAQ/700-900/EnginePerformanceSymptoms.htm
Hopefully you will be able to get an idea or direction.
In the meantime, maybe someone will come with help from a similar experience.
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' Of all bad men religious bad men are the worst. '' (C S Lewis ; on Evil Men) 89 764 (170K), '94 940T (265K), 92 245 (150K)

Thank you guys for the ideas. I had it towed and will look into repairs tomorrow.