I've had a problem develop recently on my 96-960-55k miles.You can be driving and the engine goes almost to idle mode. It doesn't die or run rough, just goes to near idle speed and pushing on the gas does nothing (unless you really stomp it like going to a passing mode). You can shut it off and back on and it will run fine for some time(maybe 1-2 days).
Had a dealer tell me that it was caused by the individual ignition coils ( coil-on-plug) (6 total) breaking down. Has anyone else seen something like this and how can you test the individual coils?
thanks

When my car's fuel pump failed, I had similar symptoms except that it died for good fairly quickly.

There is a fuel pressure test port on the back end of the fuel rail. Get a pressure gauge on there and see what the pressure is when this happens. Maybe pump, filter, regulator.

If you had a bad coil pack I'm sure the OBD-II ECU would detect it and turn on the Check Engine light.

Let us know what it is when you find it.
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'96 965 with 16' wheels at 117K. Had '85 745 Turbo Diesel for 200K.

I'd have to experience that thrill to give you a true heads up. I'd be leaning towards spark if it feels like the car is pausing to take a breath, and then catching back up with itself...but no codes...hmmmm...

The cam sensor and crank sensor seldom set a code, both of these are spark, but spark originates at the ignition switch...and your turning the car off, and then back on seems to solve the problem for a bit...does your key feel really solid in the ignition, or can you wiggle it back and forth a bit? It'd be really odd if it were that, but this is the direction that I would be leaning in (sight unseen).

How about a transmission code? Does the arrow ever flash?

Truly, I have no real idea or clue, but I'm fairly certain that coil packs are not the culprit. They cause misfire codes, and uneven idling and running. You have none of that...

Chris

Since you didn't get a check engine light, that eliminates alot of components. Coil paks either work or don't at least that's what the coil paks did on my 92 960. After having problems with two of them (engine didn't idle smoothly)I went ahead and replaced them all. The fact that the engine idles smoothly should eliminate the power stages.

You have to look for something that won't trigger the check engine light and yet causes the engine to lose power. Loss of fuel pressure would be one item. Does this occurr when the fuel level is low? I have a similar problem with my 91 940SE Wgn. If the fuel level gets below 12 gals(15.8 gal tank) and I make a sharp turn or equivalent then the engine loses power(doesn't quit) and goes to idle mode for a few seconds and then the power is back. I will be looking for some sort of problem in the fuel tank. This may not be your problem but you never know. Let the board know what you find.

Is your check engine light on?

Based on your description of what's happening, I have doubt it is the coils . It could be the Throttle Position Sensor, the MAF sensor, etc....

If you have codes, what are they?

DEWFPO
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1998 S90 068,300 and 1995 964 152,300

no check engine light
Is there anything that will put the engine into this mode or is there anything i can try when it happens again
thanks
Ed