My '95 960 wagon has been at my independent Vovlo mechanic's shop for two weeks, and he is about out of ideas. A few months ago, the "check engine" light went on, but the car still ran well and disregarded the issue until I could get it to the mechanic. Just before I took it in, the engine started to lose power. I could floor it getting onto the freeway, and it would go about 10 mph for several seconds, then suddenly surge ahead and keep up to speed. At the same time, the idle became very lopey, shooting between a few hundred and over 1,000 rpm, sometimes the stalling the car.

The mechanics tried several things, including a mass airflow sensor, but finally ordered a used engine computer and that solved much of the problem. Now they just have the rough cold start and lopey idle, which they can't seem to solve. The shop has three Volvo mechanics/drivers, with a combined 75 or 80 years of repair experience, and they say they've tried everything they can think of, and are now going back and trying some of their original ideas a second time. They've traced wires, done all sorts of things.

Have any of you experienced these problems? If so, any ideas? The car has 197,000 miles on it and has been maintained carefully, including a recent fuel pump replacement. It has no rust, all new suspension, and I've tried to set it up to work for a long time. I'd hate to junk it now.

Thanks!