Volvo RWD Forum

INDEX FOR 1/2026(CURRENT) INDEX FOR 12/2000

[<<]  [>>]


THREADED THREADED EXPANDED FLAT PRINT ALL
MESSAGES IN THIS THREAD




  REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

740 No Start, Radio Suppresion Relay?

My brick is a 1990 740 wagon with the Rex/Regina ignition, single fuel pump in the tank, AT, 187,000 miles. I've driven this wagaon 10,000 miles since I bought it November 1, 2005 and its generally started easily and runs strongly. Plenty of acceleration (for a na 230!), no hesitation, no stalling, smooth idle, 25 mpg. Three or four times it has stalled when warm starting, but a second try started it and it would idle and run well. Two days ago I had a very difficult time with warm starting. Start and stall, start and stall, usw. Finally after prolonged cranking it started and idled poorly for 5 or 10 seconds, then smoothed out and ran and idled well. It would restart after I turned it off if I tried immediately, but after sitting for 10-30 minutes, again hard to restart or no start at all. Cold starting is now the same story, hard start or no start

The check engine light didn't illuminate. A visual inspection did not reveal disconected electricals or vacuum hoses. So I first tried switching the FPR with another known good FPR I had available - no change.

This Volvo has the OBD-I system so I tried the procedures discribed in the FAQS to test the fuel injection system and the ignition system. The ignition system tested code 1-1-1 no faults. The fuel injection system set the code 3-2-1, FAULT CONDITION: Signal missing to/from cold start valve SOURCE OF FAULT: Radio suppresion relay. Progress I thought! I switched the radio suppresion relay with the electic radiator fan relay. No change and OBD set the same fault.

Next I tried the Ignition System Component Activation Test. As part of the test I could hear and feel the RSR activate and the 4 fuel injectors activate, but I didn't hear or feel the cold start valve activate. I pulled the plug from the cold start valve, attached my VOM and reran the SCAT. No voltage at the plug.

Replacing the RSR is cheap, $56 from the dealer, if it will fix my starting problem. Can this relay fail for the CSV only? I know that I switched relays, but I'm certain that they are orginal and they may have already been switched to fix a problem in the past! Can another failed component in the starting chain set this code? I pulled the fuel pump relay (I don't have another for testing) it's very clean inside and out, and I couldn't see cold solder joints or cracked solder on the circuit board.

I ran out of time today, but I do intend to run the System Sensor Signal Test in another 2 or 3 days.

I hate the idea of replacing parts without a certain diagnosis. But what I really, REALLY hate is the possiblity that there is a broken wire or loose connection. Difficult and tedious to track down! I don't want to reinvent the wheel and I'm hoping that a BBoarder will have an idea about what my next move should be.










  REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE Replies to this message will be emailed.    PRINT   SAVE 

Ignore the 3-2-1 code... 700 1990

...it's a known condition resulting from a wiring change to the cold start valve.

Hate to say it, but your symptoms sound like an end-of-life Regina Fuel pump. This is based on two recent threads here, one by Art Benstein. I can't recall the other one, but he chased it for a long time.

Just googled regina pump benstein and found the other thread from Haroon here, with Art's comments and a link to his pump replacement photo sequence.
--
Bruce Young
'93 940-NA (current), 240s (one V8), 140s, 122s, since '63.








  REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

Ignore the 3-2-1 code... 700 1990

Very interesting. I bookmarked Art's photos four weeks ago when the link was posted here on the BB! The pump has been intermitantly noisy and I thought to myself that one day I should replace it before it failed. I'll be doing some more troubleshooting tomorrow and I'll report my findings.







<< < > >>



©Jarrod Stenberg 1997-2022. All material except where indicated.


All participants agree to these terms.

Brickboard.com is not affiliated with nor sponsored by AB Volvo, Volvo Car Corporation, Volvo Cars of North America, Inc. or Ford Motor Company. Brickboard.com is a Volvo owner/enthusiast site, similar to a club, and does not intend to pose as an official Volvo site. The official Volvo site can be found here.