Hey my mom has a 88 740 GL Vovlo and she has this wierd problem with it. I don't know if you guys will know anything but sometimes the engine just turns off out of no where. Today she was driving and the engine just went off, I figure its an electrical problem but the wierd thing is that, it happens maybe once in 6months and it takes like 10minutes to start back up if that happens. It will eventually start back up.

Also if you have the key to the run position without starting the car the speedometer needle jumps up and down. So that really concludes that car has an electrical problem. Anyone have any ideas? The mechanic can't seem to find anything.

Is the relay difficult and could someone give me a link for the FAQ? Because I will probably replace it myself, I have pretty good mechnical knowledge on my car but not on a volvo, I got a Supercharged Thunderbird.

I could not get this to work right but her is the address. There is also info there on where to locate the relay.

http://www.brickboard.com/FAQ/700-900/ElectricalCircuitsRelays.htm#RepairingandResolderingRelays

DanR 94 964 221,000 miles
--
DanR

Fuel pump relay is a definite possibility and should be replaced or soldered on EVERY car this old. But I think you're having a problem with the Hall sensor on the distributor grounding out due to insulation degradation. This is the connector right on the bottom of the distributor body. It's angled off to the left (driver's) side of the engine. I bet you can get it to stall if you just wiggle it by hand. No, don't do that- it's pretty fragile. A new sensor or a new complete distributor is the only fix. I replaced my 88's distributor last year.
This also gets rid of the dist shaft oil leaks, another unfortunately common trouble. The dist is held in simply by 2 10mm bolts.
The symptoms you describe are exactly like ours, but it just got worse and worse until it wouldn't run reliably at all.
Good luck!
--
Rob Bareiss, New London CT ::: '86 244DL- 215K, 87 244DL- 230K, 88 744GLE- 198K, 91 244 180K

I would suspect it is the fuel pump relay. A common volvo problem. Replace it or try resoldering it per the FAQ.

DanR 94 964 221k miles
--
DanR