Hello everyone!
I have a 1990 740 GL with the Regina Fuel system. It has 142,000 miles on it so far. About 2 weeks ago it was seeming to take a few more cranks to start it. That progressively got worse, but the extended cranking would only occur when the engine was hot. So I did what I always do when I need some info on my volvo. I went to the "Volvo Maintenance FAQ for 7xx/9xx/90 Cars" and found the "700/900 Hot Start Problem Diagnosis and Repair". http://www.volvoclub.org.uk/faq/HotStartProblemQuickReferenceGuide.html.

I seemed to have symptoms similar to "Section II: Starts after prolonged cranking". It would take about three long cranks to start with me pumping the gas pedal when hot, but it would always start. The idle was a little rough and the gauge would bounce around, but it would smooth out after awhile. It runs great once started. In fact, I drove 400 miles this past weekend like this.

I can hear the fuel pump in my gas tank running when I place my ear up against the gas fill. The fuel pump cuts on for about 1 second when I turn the key to the run position before starting the engine. I can also hear the fuel pump relay clicking on before I start it. The pumps & relay always cut on, even when the car won't start when hot. There is no sucking sound when I remove the gas cap when my tank is low.

I have had to replace my fuel pump relay before, so I know what the car acts like when that goes bad.

I have checked the fuel pressure regulator, and it seems to be good with no leaking gas in the line and no strong fuel smell. I had one of these go bad about 4 years ago, so mine is fairly new.

Last night I took my volt meter, and checked the fuel injector plugs. There is voltage getting to the fuel injectors. I also switched the plugs between the radio suppression relay and the fan relay, since they are right next to each other. That made no difference with starting it when it was hot.

I checked the codes on the OBD system and came up with 3-2-1 and 2-3-1. According to the Regina code chart this is radio suppression relay related to the cold start circuit. The other one is a rich running condition. I don't know if this is related, but the car sometimes doesn't like to start when it is below about 40 degrees. This got better this past winter with me driving it more frequently.

Another item that I'm not sure about is a squeaking or chirping sound coming from under the hood. It comes and goes randomly & increases with speed. It just recently came up yesterday afternoon. It sounds like its coming from the IAC or timing belt cover area. It may be my timing belt pulley going out, but I just wanted to mention it. It may not be related to this.

I have not cleaned the idle air control valve yet. I was going to do that today, but the car took a turn for the worse. I drove from my apartment to where my tools are kept(about a mile), and about 2 or three minutes after I pulled in with the car still running, it just cut off. It did this yesterday right as I was parking in front of my apartment, but I didn't think anything about it.

I let it sit about 15 more minutes as I was getting my tools, and it wouldn't start up. I even waited an hour and 15 minutes, and it still wouldn't start. I ended up just walking the mile back to my apartment.

When I crank the engine, the rpm needle wiggles a little bit.

It seems as if the car has transitioned into "Section I: No Start After Crank".

With all of this information, does anyone out there have any suggestions for what could be causing my hot start problem or any suggestions of things to check?


Thank you,
Ben