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91, 740, B 230F, non turbo
150,000
Bendix Rex Regina Ignition System
Our Volvo has been stalling out with increasing frequency since last summer, but not without periods of running perfectly fine. Here are the background facts:
In the summer of 2001, the vehicle stalls at idle at traffic light. Runs fine for a few days and then stalls again twice the same day. The OBD # 2 socket says it is the Idle Air Control Valve (IACV) and gives a 223 code. Oddly, a second code for the battery is also present, a 132 code (the Alt, drive belts, and battery all test okay). I then checked the IACV. The spring and valve was opening fine and it passed the OHMS test. So, I lubed the IAVC and the car quit stalling, at least temporarily ... is this a coincidence?
The vehicle runs fine for days, sometimes even for weeks with no stalling, but the stalling always returns sooner or later. The stall pattern always shows that prior to stalling out the tach in the dash shows the needle dropping to 0, then all the dash lights come on, and then there is a total power loss. The car cannot be restarted immediately but must sit for a minute. The car always restarts after sitting a minute or two.
Recently we replaced the seven year old battery after the car failed to start one day. A hydrometer test showed uneven cell gravity and most cells were too low. Okay, so we got a new battery and the car ran fine for two weeks. It started stalling again and I checked the codes and the battery code was there again. I wonder if the stalling is interpreted by the ECU incorrectly, because of the loss of power? I lubed the IACV again and it ran okay for about a week and started to stall again.
I decide to get a used IACV form Erie auto parts. The car would not even idle at all with the used part. A close examination showed the vale inside was frozen. I then bought a new IACV. The plastic bag that the IACV came in was not sealed. I wonder if it was used and returned. Anyway, I installed the new IACV and took a 200 mile trip. No stalling. Next day Mom drives the car on an 80 mile trip and it stalls so many times that she has to call me to drive it home. It stalled on me about four times getting it home.
I noticed that a few weeks ago there was a rattling sound coming from under the car. I have heard this similar rattling on our 240 and it was the CAT. Mom said she also smelled a rotten egg smell when it stalled.
What does not makes any sense to me is this:
Q: If it was the CAT all along that was causing the stalling, then how could it have lasted since last summer? The rattling sound only started a few weeks ago. But even more importantly, if it is the CAT then why is the ECU saying it is the IACV???
Q: If it was the IACV then why did it stall after the old part was replaced? Okay, the opened plastic package might indicate it was a used part. Could be the answer, but it is strange that the day before it went 200 miles without any stalling.
Q: Could something destroy IACV's?
Any ideas?
-- Bruce
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