I have the same problem as many that have posted on the site - the engine quitting for no apparent reason - in fact no rhyme, no reason, no pattern at all. She then starts up again in a short period of time after she quits. When she does quit, there is absolutely NO POWER at all. All of the warning lights come on and then she's gone! Several people advised the resolution to this problem could be in soldering the fuel relays. I contacted an electronics repair person to try this solution and he responded that he could not make this modification, because it was a safety issue - in the event of an accident, the fuel system might not shut down as it was designed to do and may have tragic consequences - NOW WHAT? This is my one and only transportation and I need her to be reliable...not a 'enter at your own risk' proposition!!! Thanks, M.D.

If you want a new car with someone other than yourself to hold respsonsible for the breakdowns, buy a new car. That's what a warranty is for.

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alex

'89 765T, 173,0xx mi

Have you tried like the local high school/trade school that has electronic repair classes?

Thanks for the idea - just wanted to make sure it was not a 'safety issue' as I had been advised, ugh!!!

m.d. =-)

What a GREAT idea! I'm going there now to donate my old weed-wacker. They may take more than a day to do a circuit bord, but it should be in perfect condition when you get it back. If they break it, I wonder if you could get a tax deduction on the cost of a new one?
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95 850, 88 245

I probably would print out the FAQ section that discusses the inspection(magnifying class, etc) and take that with me.

The only safety issue is if you grab the wrong end of the soldering iron.

Resoldering simply means that you renew or refresh the solder connections on the relay circuit board. After a few years, the factory solder connections become crystallized and crack, making the relay behave intermittently. Resoldering the connections restores the relay to like-new condition (and I claim even better than new condition).

Be sure to resolder the fuel pump relay AND the "radio suppression relay," which is under your hood.

My '91 740 stalled alongside the road, stranding wife one evening. I didn't mind that, so much, but I didn't like my car away from home. It was the fuel pump relay -- resoldering restored it perfectly.

A few weeks later, the same thing happened. This time it was the RSR.

So I got fed up and resolder ALL the relays in the car.

End of problem.

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Don Foster (near Cape Cod, MA)

stranding wife one evening. I didn't mind that, so much, but I didn't like my car away from home

funny..thanks for the wonderful advice AND the humor - much needed about now - I am attempting to keep an '83 Volvo station wagon and/or my '90 Volvo sedan at least 'bare bones' operational!!&*!?!

m.d. =-)

...and the tailpipe...and the bumpers....and...

No, no, no.

But I just soldered up a rust hole in a power steering pipe, same car.

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Don Foster (near Cape Cod, MA)

The electronics repair person whom you contacted does not understand what re-soldering the relay is. Re-soldering the relay does not bridge any contact points of alter the function of the relay in any way. Re-soldering the relay simply repairs poor solder joints which have cracked with time.
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john

Sounds like the guy you ask, doesn't understand exactly what you're trying to do. And is afraid of any "liability" issues..

Everything in life is a risk...in particular driving a car! I believe in this case there is a misunderstanding of the intentions when resoldering a relay. You are in no way altering the fuinction of the relay. You are just restoring the solder traces to their designed level of performance (no cracks and no increased resistance or open cisrcuits).

If you are still uncomfortable with this or unable to find someone to do it for you (this is a very simple do it yourself project), buy a new relay instead.

Onkel Udo

Any idea cost/labor of new fuel relay?

Thanks, m.d.

Resolder or replace the fuel pump relay pack.

The person who made a suggestion to you likely does not understand...

What happens over time here is that the heat buildup coupled with the poor quality volvo solder :-| causes board connections known as "cold solder joints". These are intermittent connections on the relay board that cause the fuel pumps to become temporarily inoperable. typically they form on the high corrent connections...

If you feel unable to co-ordinate or find a tech to resolder (assuming you cannot do it yourself) then just go to a decent auto parts place (or shop on-line at www.fcpgroton.com) and buy a new fuel pump relay for around 35-40$ I think.
You can just plug and replace it yourself.

I think your owners manual might have the relay locations on your car, likely behind the cigarette lighter area, or see FAQ section of this website.

Hopefully this would fix your problem, it usually is the cause.

Greg Mustang
Montreal - Ottawa
Canada

I will attempt the buy your own and replace your own option I think...
save buckets of money?

thanks for your Great Advice!

M.d.