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stalling intermittent UPDATE

Thanks for all the earlier replies. Ok, so i replaced the fuel pump relay. purchased a "stribel" relay. It came in a Meyle box and looked like the volvo oem but made in Hungary vs. made in Germany on the original. Anyhow, test drove the car and within 10 minutes it stumbled and died. Sort of started again running very rough and i was on the side of the road. It died totally and would only crank over. I popped the hood. checked for spark, nice fat spark on the coil to distributor wire so i assumed continued fueling issues. I listened for the pump when i turned the key. Not sure about the first few times but i could hear the short pump activation after turning the key to on for several times. I decided to do that about 10 times without trying to start. Then i turned it to start and it started up [rough to start] but then smoothed out and i drove it home uneventfully. I guess it is possible the new relay is daft but since it acted exactly the same as it did with the original relay, i need to look elsewhere. Perhaps the pump is actually failing intermittently....ideas???








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    how to test fuel circuit

    hi mike,

    i'm late to this thread due to a field trip to the hospital for a new
    titanium rotor cuff.

    my best hunch: you may have a bad ignition switch since it powers the main fuel relay via fuse 1

    to test the fuel circuit, go get this handy gizmo at harbor freight.
    you should see some value around 10+- amps with the engine running,
    to insure the fuel wiring is well. sorry i dont have the 850 benchmark.

    if fuse 1 one current flow is zero when your car when your car wont start,
    it tells you to look at the fuel circuit. checking the main fuel relay, ignition switch and rsr.

    https://www.brickboard.com/RWD/volvo/1685010/940/960/980/V90/S90/review_harbor_freight_30a_fuse_circuit_tester_67724.html

    pay attention to the ten second time limit for current readings.

    another possible culprit is the rsr , but check f1 first.

    good luck, bill








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    stalling intermittent UPDATE

    EDIT: Just saw your other thread, seems you have confirmed good fuel pressure (yay!) and found other crank position sensor/distributor/dirty spark plug issues.
    Odd that a faulty CPS signal wouldn't trip a code, but perhaps the intermittent nature allows it to be within acceptable parameters enough of the time to keep the check engine light off. Perhaps Mother Volvo is good about not "crying wolf" at the slightest issue, unlike some others.
    I sure do hope all is resolved but if not, please consider that the fuel pump could be working intermittently.



    mikebox, sorry for the late reply. I somehow missed this.

    I agree with you and the other responses that your problem is indeed fuel related (especially if you have no trouble codes). I've experienced both a failed FPR and fuel pump with an 850 and the symptoms you describe sound like an intermittent failure of the fuel pump. On the 850 the car would randomly die or not start. Literally shaking the rear of the car or kicking the fuel tank would jiggle the pump enough to get it past the dead spot in the pump's motor and then it would run fine again. We confirmed this after replacement; applying 12V to the pump would make it run about half the time and shaking it got it running again.

    Hopefully you can replicate the problem and confirm that the pump isn't running when it happens (jumper the relay terminals, listen for the pump). Otherwise I suggest checking the fuel pressure as others have proposed. IIRC when that went south on mine, it just ran like crap, really rich. Pressure would build then crash, repeat.


    --
    XC60 / Odyssey








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    stalling intermittent UPDATE

    Could be the pump but more likely it is the fuel pressure regulator. Intermittent stalling is characteristic of a bad FPR. Have you tested your fuel pressure at the rail yet? Two other long shots are bad gas and a severely clogged fuel filter.
    --
    Will I buy another Volvo??? We'll see....








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      stalling intermittent UPDATE

      Thanks. Any idea where the FPR is located. It is not on the fuel rail on my 98. there is a single hard fuel line on the RH end of the rail. a damper on the underside of the rail and schrader valve on the LH end. other than that, 5 injectors, no vacuum lines or return fuel line








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        stalling intermittent UPDATE

        My 1998 R had the fuel pressure regulator in the frame behind the engine, of all places. Follow the fuel line down behind the engine and you should see it along with a vacuum hose or two.

        The fuel pressure after sitting all night should be zero. Probably close to zero after one hour of engine shut down.

        The best way to check fuel pump relay is via a paper clip. The made in Hungary version is just fine, the made in China is not. But, you can check it and see if it is very hot to the touch. Paper clip relay position 15 and 87, but be careful, the paper clip can get very hot so use a large one. The pump will run the entire time the key is in position II.

        If you do NOT have AWD, the pump is easily accessed behind the rear seat. You can remove the cover plate, drive around the neighborhood til it dies, and then check the voltage to the pump. If there is voltage and no hummm, a new pump is required. Not that expensive if you use Bosh insert rather than OEM replacement.
        --
        Keeping it running is better than buying new








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      stalling intermittent UPDATE

      Thanks. Any idea where the FPR is on a 98 v70 na?
      the fuel rail has only one fuel connection on the RH end. I did press the schrader valve after car sat overnight..no fuel or pressure. [i think it should hold at some value]. I then turned the key a couple of times but did not start. pressed the valve.fuel squirted out but not a lot of pressure.

      Anyhow, cannot find the FPR on this model








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        stalling intermittent UPDATE

        Previously I owned 2 - 850's but I never needed to replace a fuel pressure regulator or pump so I don't know for sure. From my readings, I'd check above the steering rack near the passenger front wheel and also next to the fuel pump.

        Before throwing parts at it - the pump in particular is expensive!! - I suggest doing some more reading on how to test them. Matthews Volvo site has a lot of info on the FWD/AWD cars. Maybe rent a fuel pressure gauge? Personally don't know a lot about diagnosing with them but I believe a fuel pressure gauge should help with the pump diagnosis anyway.

        Having replaced a FPR on my 240 one thing I do know for sure is that if the FPR is weeping fuel it is done. Check for odors/leaks.
        --
        Will I buy another Volvo??? We'll see....







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