Okay, I will try to give the Reader's Digest Condensed version: My 1980 242 DL/GT (all stock B21, K-Jetronic f.i. system) has been super-reliable (zero problems) for the 15 months that I have had my car. Today, when trying to start the car (not at home, naturally), there was a slight backfire while cranking the car. Finally got it started after much cranking and swearing at the car, but the car will not idle now. I have to keep my foot on the accelerator pedal to keep the car running. Runs very rough at rpm's below 2000, but is a bit better above that. While driving, the car has a bit of a "trailer-hitching" feel to it. What happened, and how do I fix it?

I have checked for any obvious loose/broken vacuum hoses or anything else obvious wrong with it. Also checked all fuses, none blown. I have almost no experience troubleshooting K-Jet systems (no previous need to, the car has been perfect until today) though I do have quite a bit of experience with L/LH-Jetronic systems. Also looked in 2 Fuel Injection service manuals and my Haynes manual this afternoon, but none of these symptoms seem to be described in the books I have. Thanks for any insight you might have as to the nature of my problems.

Billy McCaskill
billy383z@cox.net

back to daily driving my non-daily-driver V8 powered 1977 Datsun 280Z until I can sort out my 1980 Volvo problems...