I have an 89 240DL that will not start if it is raining or the humitity is high. I have changed the coil and the distributor cap and rotor. plugs are good and so are the wires. HELP. This car is a beauty and should be on trhe road

Clean the fusebox out well, and put in new fuses. You'd be AMAZED at how many oddities that can fix.
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1992 940 wagon, very low miles
as well as others.

The plugs and wires are good, but are the plugs gapped to .028-.032? That can make all the difference in the world.

Other than that, put in a new crankshaft position sensor and check the EFI relay for proper function. After that get back to teh board and tell us if it helped.
--
1992 940 wagon, very low miles
as well as others.

Sarge,
This is absolutely a plug wire problem. Change the plug wires, and it will run like new. I have an 80' 242 that did exactly the same thing. There are tiny cracks in the insulation. To prove it to yourself,take a spray bottle and spray down the plug wires at night and watch the fireworks show of sparking and arcing, this will simulate a high humidity condition, like when it rains or is very humid. Don't put junk plug wires in it, go for the originals they last and last.Check www.FCPgroton.com, or www.thepartsbin.com for supercheap prices if you can wait for the parts.

Hmmm... check the connection to the AMM, and make sure the Idle control valve isn't sticking. Take the ICV out and spray some carb cleaner in it. Then wiggle the AMM connection a little and see if that helps. Check the connections to you fuel pump and check your fuel relay also. Even if the realy looks good, either sway in a NEW one, or resolder all the main connection on the relay board, since some can look like they are ok, but have only a slight connection to the board. If you have a soldering iron, it should be no problem, just heat it up unitl the solder is liquid in that area, maybe add some solder to the glob, and that's it.

kevin

keep me updated
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1980 244DL, 1982 245GL, 1987 744GLE, 1991 245SE, 1996 855GLT, 2001 V70

This is my first Volvo. What is an AMM and a ICV and where would they be located? same ? on the fuel pump relay.
Thanks
Sgt Mac

Hi Mac and welcome to the wonderful world of Volvo. You'll love this car, at least once you get it sorted out.
The AMM is the Air Mass Meter, sometimes also called a MAF (Mass Air Flow) sensor. It's a black or silver cylinder mounted to your left front strut tower, just behind/below the battery. If it's shiny black and clean, it's new- someone has been chasing your stalling problem already! The connection to the top of it can be unhooked to see if it is preventing you from starting by simply squeezing the little wire clip part and pulling straight up. Don't drive with it unhooked or try to make any adjustments to it.
The ICV is the Idle Control Valve. It's a silver cylinder with 2 black rubber hoses (garden hose size) going to it, right under your intake manifold. Let's not fool with that yet. It could be plugged, but I doubt it's plugged only when it's wet out.
The fuel pump relay (sometimes just called FPR here) is a 2X1 inch white plastic box which ought to be neatly tucked against the firewall, inside the car over the passengers feet. It could be dangling loose under there and be anywhere above the black carpet stuff under the dash. Part no. is 3523608 (sold a *LOT* of them) and if the date on it is over 10 yrs old, re-solder it or replace it. It WILL leave you stuck if ignored.
The other thing I'd check right away is the condition of the throttle body. Pull off the BIG plastic air hose going from the AMM to the intake, inspect it for holes, and look at the throttle plate itself. If it's all gunked up, clean it up with carb cleaner. It's best to do it off the car, but buy a gasket first ($2).
Have fun/ post all your questions here.
Rob Bareiss, New London, CT 86 244, 87 244, 88 744