This has been going on for a few years, but I have not gotten stranded yet, so haven't panicked. My trusty '78 245 starts with a few cranks and a stutter in the coldest weather (I plug it in below 10 deg F) and smoothes out pretty rapidly. It fires up fine when warm (after being turned off for up to about 1-1.5 hr). The problem is when it is "cool" - that is, turned off for about 1.5-2 hr. It takes about a minute of cranking to get it to fire up. This always happens when I'm away from home, but as I say, I haven't been stranded yet. Once started, the brick runs great.
I replaced all of the standard stuff (plugs, rotor, wires, cap, etc.) which makes no difference.
Evidently, the cold start injector is working (maybe not "fine"). I'm beginning to wonder if the symptoms suggest the thermo time switch needs replacement. Is this reasonable? Can the symptoms of "cool" starting suggest that the cold start function should be triggered, but it isn't?
I am sure the cold start system has never been worked on, it certainly hasn't in the 21 years I've had this car.
Thanks for any info or opinions.

I think some versions of the control pressure regulator also had a temperature-sensing element inside. This gave a slightly richer mixture when the engine was cold.

With respect to the accumulator, you could run the pumps for a moment before starting to make sure the system is full. A couple of clip leads on the fuses are do-able on the road.

TTS governs cold start fire duration (they are firmly linked functions). Typically, the harness connector breaks off the TTS and balky cold starts result. When the fuel accumulator at the fuel pump goes bad, balky warm starts occur. I'd say check TTS function as in Bentley or green manual, then have a look at the back of the fuel accumulator for the telltale dribble of gas.

Thanks, that was my inclination after reading everything on Brickboard. I've got the Volvo manual, and will check it out. The Bentley manual was surprisingly vague on the TTS (no mention, actually), so I was quite unclear on the cause of my problems.

It should be covered in the turbo section, I think. See Fuel Injection-CI, 240.

Thanks, I didn't look in the turbo section.
Well, I tested it today, and I was very surprised that the test light did not come on. There was some corrosion on the harness to the cold start injector, but with three tries with the test light, I am pretty sure the thermal time switch (or maybe the old harness) has failed. It was about 25 deg and windy, so I didn't spend the time to dig around to even see (or feel) where the harness attaches to the TTS. Boy, getting at that thing looks like a bear. Next step is to clean the connection at the TTS, try testing again, and maybe pull the start injector to see if it's (by chance) delivering fuel. Obviously, that's unlikely, but it seems like a good thing to try.
thanks for all the help!

I've got an 80, and had a '75 w/B20, both with K-Jets.

The Therm Time Switch as, you know determines the duration
the Cold Start Injector fires...totally cold for 5 seconds and upt to 8 in real sub freezing temps (Bosch says at -20C). If your engine starts cold, that means the Injector is firing. If it starts warm, then the TTS is keeping the Cold Start Inj. from firing. The only thing that could be wrong with the TTS would be to fire the CSInj when it's not needed...flooding the engine...Your "cool" start problem.. To eliminate the TTS as the problem in your cool start situation...when that situation occurs, disconnect the connector to the Cold Start Injector and see if it starts.

On my old '75, the TTS was located just to the rear of the Oil filter. After breaking the connector on two of then while removing the filter with an oil filter wrench, I refused to spend more money on the stupid TTS. I cut it out of the equation and extended the wires from the Cold Start Injector to a toggle switch mounted in one of the blank spares in the center console. When it was cold, I momentarily flipped the switch to fire the Cold Start Injector, using the 5 second rule of thumb.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/3299223/Bosch-KJetronic-Fuel-Injection-Manual-

That's a brilliant comment - much to my liking. Thanks very much for the link to the Bosch K-Jet manual - I haven't seen that.