Recently something new started that is annoying to say th least. About a week ago, my car started cutting off unexpectedly while sitting at a stoplight.

This morning it shutter once on the way in while stuck in traffic, then a few minutes later, it cut off without warning. While still sitting in traffic. It reminds me of the fuel pump relay, so I bought a new one and installed it.

Then this evening it did it again. I have cleaned the battery terminals a few days ago, hoping that might fix it, but it had no effect.

Any idea what might be wrong? I feel it's electrical but I did wonder would a fuel filter clogged up do this?

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~William~ 1985 240 DL - 365,000 & 1998 V90 - 190,000

Well I figured this problem out and wanted to post the cause, in case someone had the same issue. After replacing all the tiny vacuum elbows and tees, including returning to the original vacuum setup (someone had replaced it with a cheap hose) on the FPR, i.e. elbow, hard tube, connector. The problem did not go away.

Also the FPR was not leaking fuel. Once I cleaned the Idle control valve, the car stopped cutting off but would still shuddered when coming to or waiting at a light. Then one day the CEL came on. I ran home and read the code and it was the MAF. I purchased an Airbox Thermostat Part # 9142616 and a new Mass Air Flow meter and installed them. BTW don't try to save a buck by not replacing the Airbox thermostat, it is usually the cause of the MAF going bad I have found.


The car now goes like a champ, idles beautifully, and acceleration is much improved.

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~William~ 1985 240 DL - 365,000 & 1998 V90 - 190,000

Thanks for getting back to us with the solution.

Cheers,

DEWFPO
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1998 S90 083,228 and 1995 964 154,100

A clogging filter will give problems under power & acceleration long before it would cause idle problems. BTDT.....

Does this problem only occur while idling? Car has power and runs smoothly on the highway?

My first guesses would be to look for breaks in the rubber housing just before the Throttle body or other large vacuum leakers.

I assume the Check Engine Light has not come on?
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'96 965, 16' wheels, Michelin Pilot Sports, rear 18mm bar + Koni, 170K. Fresh head gasket & 204HP cams in used engine.

It occurs when warm, at a stop or when slowing down to a stop at like 5 mph. I have recently felt it like kick a time or two while moving at like 25mph when foot is off the peddle but that is rare. No CEL, and highway driving is fine no problems.

So far I have replaced the Fuel pump relay.

Swapped the Fuel system relay with one from the air pump... had no effect.

I replaced the fuel filter and it did not fix the problem, although it did improve acceleration.

Cleaned the throttle body.

I cleaned the Idle control valve, it was filthy. Now the car is more prone to shutter and recover than cut off. So that is an improvement.

Checked the battery cable... was fine. Cleaned grounding lines attached to body, electrical connectors to AMM, ICV, etc.

To add insult to injury the cruise control stopped working, which made me suspicious that a vacuum leak could be the cause. In looking I found most of my little vacuum elbows and tees appear to have tiny cracks.

I just bought a bunch of little elbows and tees from Groton and Volvo parts web store. I also picked up a FPR while I was at.

I'll have a look for cracks around the AMM as well. Thanks for the suggestion, any other place to check?


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~William~ 1985 240 DL - 365,000 & 1998 V90 - 190,000

First thing that came to my mind from your post is a fuel pressure regulator. Check for fuel in the vacuum line.

Good Luck

I went to do this and found the hose is well fused to the FPR. and so little slack that if it breaks or I cut it I cannot reattach it.

I'm wondering if the vacuum hose attached to it could have a leak, considering how old it appears. Any idea if a leak in the vacuum line could cause it to cut off like I described?
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~William~ 1985 240 DL - 365,000 & 1998 V90 - 190,000

William, this sounds like a vexing problem. As the owner of (now) four 960s, I have spent considerable time reading through the FAQ. The one similarity that your problem seems to have is that of the deteriorating battery cable. You may want to read that part of the FAQ and check your battery cable.