Thanks KittysGrayVolvo.

I installed the used knock sensor I bought from Voluparts. I hope it is working ok. The weird idle hunting (unstable rpm) that I had guessed was the timing changing because of a confused ECU has gone away.

It still stalls when I dare to put it in gear and has no power. Can't drive it.

Starts right up though and idles ok, if slightly high. It is very nice to hear it run after a couple months of wondering if that would ever happen again. And the junkyard radio that my friend installed when the trouble began sounds just great.

There was some sudden stalling (as if I turned off the key) from a stable idle...but this seemed to go away when I opened the air bleed screw a few turns. When I twist the throttle open it revs properly with no load on the engine, but snapping back to idle it hesitates- the idle drops and then works its way back up. And if I put it in gear to try and drive -- no power, runs rough, wants to stall.

Following advice given here, my plan tonight is to remove and inspect the hose connecting the air mass meter to the intake manifold. If that is in perfect condition, I will remove the throttle body and clean it (I have a can of TB spray). I will also carefully clean and inspect the idle air control valve and check its associated hose connections. If all of these items and connections are without flaw, I will consult a priest.


“The car has become an article of dress without which we feel uncertain, unclad, and incomplete in the urban compound.”
― Marshall McLuhan