I own a 93 960 wagon with 108k that occasionaly dies/cuts off while I'm driving it. It just chokes and dies on me in city traffic and the check engine light comes on. It starts right back up and drives fine but a few days ago this happened 4 times in a short interval (less than 2 miles of driving). It feels like it isn't getting gas.
I've taken it in to my mechanic and the codes that come up are 113 and 115. He is a skilled Volvo mechanic and can find nothing wrong that would cause the car to do this. The first time this happened, he put a new trans selector and fuel relay switch on, but apparently it didn't solve the problem and I've had it in twice for the same problem since. He has checked the airflow meter, idle air motor, fuel injectors and said all components work.
I've owned the car for a couple years and looking back at the previous owner's repair work have noted that the same problem occured for him at around 75k and the tech stated that all components then tested ok too.
This car also leaks coolant on and off.
I have poured a ton of money into this car in the two years I've had it and it is still giving me fits to the point that I am now looking at my old 84 240 wagon as a better mode of transportation.
Anyone want to venture a guess about what is wrong with this vehicle? Please help!
Suzie (who is literally afraid to drive her car now)

I am having the same problem with my wifes 93 960 wagon with 155K miles.

I to have been through the codes. The only one I got was lack of IAC sensor (I forget the exact nuber) and I cleaned the IAC to death etc. Even went so far as to take it apart to clean & relube. That was last week and it's been OK so far. The dealer suggested cleaning the throttle body. I plan on loooking into that this weekend. Wii let you know if I find anything. Keep the faith.

I hope you got your problem fixed. My mechanic can't figure out what is wrong with my car. It has been in the shop for 6 weeks now and while he has eliminated many possible problems, he's yet to pin down the real diagnosis. He thinks it must be the computer which will cost a small fortune to fix. I'll keep you posted but I am extremely frustrated with this car!




Suzie

This is probably the most frequent failure of the 960 EFI system. And yes, it is nearly impossible for any rational mechanic to find.

It is all rather involved and I'm in a bit of a hurry for work right now. However, I have personally repaired at least half a dozen 960's with this problem. Read the FAQ as Steve has suggested. Then reply to this post for anything that needs clarification.

Whatever you do..... DO NOT allow someone to sell you a new $1,400 main harness. It will fail just like the original and it is not necessary.

My 92 960 did exactly the same thing and would get the same codes. The shop I took the car to many times couldn't locate the problem and finally gave up. I finally found the problem and it was electical. The relay that powers the injectors was the source of the problem. While the relay had been changed, the problem turned out to be one of the connectors(red wire)on the plug that went to the relay wasn't making good contact. As soon as I pushed the connector back into the plug and the plug back on the relay end of problem. I hope yours is as simple to fix as I found mine to be. All components the shop checked out were OK but no every checked the plug going on the relay nor did any shop mechanic or mechanic from any of the three dealerships I contacted every suggest to check the connectors on the plug. Lots of luck.

Those codes relate to fuel injector signals. Read the FAQ articles about 960s and take a look at the engine wiring harness connectors. The coolant loss issue is also of concern and you should examine the block for porosity. "I've poured a ton of money in this car" is par for the course for your model and for all those expenditures (the ghosts of repairs past, present, and yet-to-be) you could buy yourself a rock-solid 1995 940 that will run forever with many fewer repairs.