My parent's '96 850 GLT has in the past few days(and infrequently at that) seen the idle jump up to 1400 rpm at start-up, then rest back in the 900-1000 rpm range. I had the idle air control valve cleaned out today, yet the problem(at times) still persists. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thank you and have a splendid evening :)

Hello,
Mine started doing this last June and was followed by an occasional stalling issue.
Hi rev's only seem to occur when car is started "cold".
Stalling occurs when attempting to restart when engine is warm.
Problem diagnosed, (in my case)to be a faulty O2 sensor, so if your car starts stalling or not restarting when warm you may have the same problem.
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Imagine all the people...

Hi,
My wife`s 95 855T started to rev high(1800 or so)on cold starts about 6 months ago. If this a normal situation for 850s I would question why the car had never done this before as we`ve owned the car for over 5 years. My concern is engine wear with cold starts in winter temps(it gets COLD here).
Appreciate any responses.
Rich

It's normal. MadeinJapan is right. I own two 97 850's. When they kick over and start, the engine races for a couple of seconds and then idles down to around 900-1000 in about two seconds. Nothing wrong there at all. Depending on the outside ambient air temperature, this high idle at start up will vary. But not by much. Dick

You can cause the idle RPM's to come down to "normal" more quicly by lightly tapping the gas while it seems like it's surging...at least the way it was with ours.
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1998 S70 T5 Emarald Green Metallic, 2004 V70 2.5T Ruby Red, Previous Owner of Black '94 850 Turbo Wagon

Our '94 850 did this all the time and I was told by a Volvo tech that it was normal.
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1998 S70 T5 Emarald Green Metallic, 2004 V70 2.5T Ruby Red, Previous Owner of Black '94 850 Turbo Wagon

Thanks so much! My father was a bit concerned about this, but can now rest easy :) Have a wonderful weekend :)