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240 suddenly dies while driving 200 1993

I bought my '93 240 in late February. While driving it will suddenly die , just as if the ignition has been turned off. Car sat a couple of years before I bought it. I replaced the fuel filter, plugs and all associated items, removed the key from its ring just in case the ignition switch was worn, but it is still doing it. I know the valves need adjusted BADLY and the codes show it running too rich / too lean. Any ideas? Thanks in advance!








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240 suddenly dies while driving 200 1993

My vote would be for failing crank position sensor but not rule out the fuel pump relay. Best way to diagnose the CPS is to inspect it. When it fails, it first fails intermittently - which is what you are experiencing. Also, it tends to fail first when the engine is hot. It is located on the top of the bell housing where the engine & transmission meet. It has a fat black coax like cable that runs to a connector on the firewall. Inspect it looking for cracked of flaking insulation. If you find the insulation flaking off, it's time for a replacment.

To diagnose the fuel pump relay, when it is failing do you hear the fuel pump run when you turn the key to the II position? I always kind of make it a habit to listen for this any time I goe to start the car. WHen it stalls, see if you can hear it.








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240 suddenly dies while driving 200 1993

If it were me buying a 240 of any model year, I would begin with a plan to clean the engine and associated parts. I don't mean a car wash spray job. I mean spray cleaner, rags and hand rubbing and wiping. Pay attention to the engine's left side. Remove IAC and throttle body and clean these parts. Clean the the flame trip. Look over rubber hoses and replace if they have cracks or are embrittled. Look for oil and coolant leaks. Examine the rubber engine mounts. Disconnect grounds and clean. This is the start. Next phase would be to examine the fuel relays and CPS. I use a smart phone camera to take a picture of the CPS, that'll tell you its condition. My inclination is to distrust anything rubber on the 240 and assume it should be replaced. This is just a short list of many things that can be done to raise the car's reliability.

For the fun of Volvos,
Mike
--
'92 245DL, '90 760 GLT








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240 suddenly dies while driving 200 1993

I had a similar issue with an 83. Car would die at an idle in traffic, and restart after a minute or two.

I cleaned the MAF sensor and also removed throttle body and cleaned it. This seemed to resolve the issue for me.

I wonder if it could also be the idle air control valve. This switch controls the speed of the engine when the butterfly in the throttle body is closed (i.e. the car is idling).








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240 suddenly dies while driving 200 1993

Yes you could have a sticking IAC. If refuses to idle consistently.

It could be dirty or nearing the end of its life if it has over eighty thousand miles on it. Some go more easily it all depends how much was highway driving.

Having to wait say it could be a heating related problem to the electrical relays.

On your car you have two separate relays, under the glove box. Two little silver boxes.
One is for the systems computers and the other for fuel pumps.
If the magnetic coil in either one is getting to hot it will lose magnetism and open the relay.

When your engine dies it stops telling a computer to leave the relay on. So it starts to cool and after that period it restarts.
Trick is, which one, as they both look a like and function the same way.

Process of elimination is to replace one at a time with a know good or new relay. If the problem goes away after two exchanges the last one was it.

On later cars, like the one above in the post, they are built together and sometimes only one side of the two quits. Leaves you with the same problem of "who dun it!" So bad so sad, its in the whole thing!
Within these relays its a bit more complicated as they use a circuit board for connections.

In most cases, it's the solder on the circuit board that cracks breaking the currents trace or circuit to the contacts or that magnetic coil.
Reflowing all the solder together and adding more to it thickens any weak spot and repairs them.
Several owners carry a spare. A new one, a new used one or "all of them" being freshly repaired for cheap insurance!

In both cases of this problem, I suggest one to consider the of checking the amperage draw on the fuel pumps to rule out a later failure of the pumps or another relay.
Record the amount for future reference. Call it, Preventative maintenance if you will.

Hope this helps. There might another explanation to consider but like others have posted many time on this web site these are at the top of the starting to look list!

Reliability comes with the liability of good maintenance and a sprinkle of spare parts.


Reminds me of an article I read!

Thankfully, we ALL are not flying any some new to the market "flying cars" with some "delayed recalls." Nor will we be seeing any become as old as ours! (:-).

Imagine this scene......in a few years!

Oh, I'll just put the car "down" over there somewhere and see if plugging "one" of these "two" things in will help! Just then, the carpooling buddy wakes up and says, WHAT?

He then says into his microphone, Jim Bob, the new service manager, told me to keep up with it!

After the carpooler stops blinking at his waving hand and just stares;

The owner continues telling him, that the manufacturer mailed it to the "CAR" dealer for a recall bulletin but he hasn't got an appointment open yet, to install it, that's why I have it!

He said to just keep it on board, that way the vehicle has the part on board and it should meet the vehicles "planes half" for any FAA requirement existing or not for now!
He told me ABOUT where it goes and it is suppose to fix the sputtering it does AT the traffic light!

The buddy looks around and then at the ground below. He thinks, "OH MY, he really not s*** kidding me about this!"

Some old car habits, might just die, this time!
(:-)
Have a nice day in front of your garage!

Phil








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240 suddenly dies while driving 200 1993

It usually starts within two or three tries, but sometimes I have to let it set about a minute before it will restart. Those are great ideas, and I appreciate all and any help.








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240 suddenly dies while driving 200 1993

Crank position sensor or fuel system relay will do this.
Dan








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240 suddenly dies while driving 200 1993

Thanks for the help, Dan. Turns out it was both things. Do you happen to know what size the petcock on the block is, and what will reach it? Had to replace the lower radiator hose and now have air in the system. Thanks again! Howard








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240 suddenly dies while driving 200 1993

Not much info to go on here im assuming it restarts.Fuel pump relay on the firewall passenger side under glove box. Remove it, open it up resolder bad joints or replace. CPS or crank postion sensor added to later model 240s. You can also pull the codes as well. One good feature of the later model 240s.








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240 suddenly dies while driving 200 1993

Thanks for the help. Turns out it was both. HL







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