Hi Neil Yung,

Congrats on spinning fuses so your mighty 1991 Volvo 240 springs to life.

I see you just started here on the brickboard.com, as your post history indicates.

If not already, and to avoid any possible stalling, may I please urge you to research this resource, brickboard.com, to learn what you can do to treat your (at essence) 25-year owld 1991 Volvo 240.

For example, a quick glance at the current RWD articles shows some problem topics that were caused by corrosion at the connector for the AMM (or MAF), and another at the what is called, a power stage (a signal amplifier). The power stage is located, with hood open, and you're staring down on the battery, to the right of the battery, secured to the inner fender sheet metal. (Disassemble the amplifier from the aluminum heat sink material to restore a heat sink compound between the two, so you can avoid a stall. Go to a junkyard, pull spares, test, and keep on a shelf. Ignition Power Stage, AMMs (or MAFs), spare electric fan relays (if the electric fan in front of the AC condenser still works, and I'll bet it is sized, else, rebuild the electric fan motor, replace the fan with an upgrade, or get rid of it as it is a drag on cooling air through the AC condenser / radiator), spare fuel injection relays (can you reflow solder on cracked solder welds - find articles on this site, or use Google to target the www.brickboard.com domain).

In the engine compartment, is that silver hose still connected between the heat shield on the exhaust manifold and the pre-heated air intake at the bottom of the air filter box. Unless NY-state requires a visual inspection on emission controls on 1991 vehicle, remove it from the engine bay. If NY-state requires emission control visual inspection, you must either replace the warm-air inlet controlling thermostat, or plug that hole.

It can help, also, if you check on corrosion at wire harness connectors, and leads to ground.

As you are in the U.S. Atlantic Northeast, with a single snowflake served up by tons of road salt, it is more imperative that you halt corrosion. In wire harness connectors and the body as rust.

Do you have a service manual? May I please suggest the Bentley Volvo 240 Service Manual? You can find some manner of factory Volvo green manuals on the i-net and for sale on auction sites (eBay, Amazon?). In a pinch, and it seems I have them always underfoot, the final 1997 (? dunno if a later edition/imprint) imprint of the Volvo 240 Hayne Repair Manual (Dark Grey Cover, with blue Volvo 244 in cutaway.)

If I could also suggest you run the OBD-1 that is a part of the engine control system. I'm certain you know already, yet you can reference the Volvo 700-900-90 FAQ, hosted right here on your brickboard.com, as many systems on older 700-900 (Up to 1995 or so), are the same or similar.

So, with your engine hood up, look for the black box at the rear corner to your right in the engine may. Read the FAQ article on how to perform the OBD. Use socket two (Fuel Injection) and socket six (Ignition, and if fitted, EGR sensor / control).

https://www.brickboard.com/FAQ/700-900/EngineOBDCodes.htm

Run the test in each socket until you get no new codes. The OBD is rather in-exact, and serves as a guide to fault conditions from failing components, or as a guide to compromised engine control. Post you results to to this or, better, a new thread, if you receive any fault codes. On this page are tests you can perform to some connected sensors as part of the OBD-1.

Preventative Maintenance Suggestions for Volvo 700-900, and some generally applies to your 1991 Volvo 240.
https://www.brickboard.com/FAQ/700-900/HighMileageVehiclePrevMaint.htm

How long have you owned your 1991 Volvo 240? Reference this FAQ article as a guide so you can critically look at your 1991 Volvo 240 in hopes you can anticipate future problem, and reduce the chance of ever encountering another stall.

https://www.brickboard.com/FAQ/700-900/BuyingUsed7xx.htm

And

https://www.brickboard.com/FAQ/700-900/EnginePerformanceSymptoms.htm

iPd USA's listing of the top ten Volvo 240 maintenance issues:
http://www.ipdusa.com/blogs/104/top-10-problems-with-240-volvos

How many miles on your 1991 Volvo 240? You have mileage, the age of the Volvo 240, and how those year were spent. A Volvo 240 in Arizona may last longer for the drier weather.

Also, how is the suspension? Bushings? Brake fluid? Black brake fluid will lead you to brake failure. The Motive Power Bleeder means you can bleed brakes at home. Do you haver a garage to do the work? Would you want to? Or can you afford up to 150-200$ hourly for auto repair labor rates?

In short, owld Volvo ownership require you care for the Volvo 240 or it WILL fail you. While a more durable car, it is an electromechanical device, and parts of it wear and age, so, I hope you can care for the vehicle so you can enjoy some aspect of low-cost ownership through owner maintenance, and also enjoy a safe car, because it was both well built AND cared for.

When you look at the engine bay, is the engine clean or covered in grime? You do know of the Positive Crank Case Ventilation (PCV)?

You know wiring diagrams?
http://www.volvowiringdiagrams.com/?dir=volvo/240%20Wiring%20Diagrams

Here's a good one. Everyone loves our Uncle Art (near Baltimore)!
http://cleanflametrap.com/

I dunno how useful this is. Volvo Green Manuals locked away into a flash or PDF viewer in a JavaScript framework:
http://www.volvotips.com/index.php/240-260/volvo-240-260-service-manual/

The Volvo green manuals are somewhat less explanatory, and focus more purely on the procedure more so, than the Bentley and the Haynes. The green manuals are for use by trained and certified mechanics, or well practiced mechanics.

Another good site:
http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/index.php

You need to find a good mechanic that is fair and is not going to rip you off?
- http://www.volvomechanics.com/
- https://www.brickboard.com/SHOPS/

Check the i-net and the BBB and perhaps you have a NY-state business conduct rating or consumer protection office.

FCP Groton is nearer to you than is iPD USA.com, so lower shipping. Also, while the local Volvo stealership may be useful for information or a Volvo 240 crisis, go to Tasca Volvo Parts (in Rhode Island). So one day UPS ground shipping, probably free. Or these places may do USPS, too.

As you are in the massively populated Atlantic NorthEast, you may find www.vcoa.com clubs, or other, local, Volvo enthusiast sites. In a pinch, it may even be possible a nearby brickboard member could help you in person (that up to those people).

Finally, the only Volvo AND Cat related site:
http://catsandvolvos.com/

Volvo 240 FAQ, anyone?

Questions?

Hope that helps.

cheers,

dud.