QuestionQUESTION: Hi,
Yesterday, my teenager came in and advised me that the check engine light
was on. The car was running no problem. I checked the computer, 1-2-3;
1-1-3 and 2-3-2 in that order. We just changed the ECT sensor earlier this
year when a 1-2-3 code came up. So, today, my other teen goes to start it,
no problem, puts it into drive, and it dies. Now, it turns over but won't start.
Any suggestions? I must say that as much as we love this Volvo, the check
engine light seems to be coming on twice a year, and there's always
something that needs replacing. I'm hoping it's nothing major...any and all
help is truly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
ANSWER: Patricia, I'm sorry, I'm at work and do not have access to the literature. Please give me the descriptions for those codes and I can probably help you, Thanks.
Mark
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QUESTION: Hi Mark, 1-2-3 is ECT signal absent or faulty (we changed this in the
beginning of 2008). 1-1-3 is Short term fuel trim (Lambda control)too
lean/rich and 2-3-2 is Adaptive fuel trim too lean or too rich at idling. So,
how it happened was I retrieved the codes on Friday, after the light came on
Thursday evening. On Friday, when I retrieved the codes, the car started no
problem. The car then sat, and when my daughter tried to drive it Saturday
evening - it started, and as soon as she put it into drive, it stalled, and hasn't
started since. It turns over nicely, but won't start. A new Air Mass Meter was
put in around a year ago. After searching around on the internet, we thought
it might be the fuel pump relay, but after inspecting it with a magnifying
glass, it appears not to have any cracks in it...as people suggest it might have
if it's gone. Do they sometimes not show a crack, and still be faulty? Another
thing that someone suggested is the crank position sensor. Any and all help
would be truly appreciated. As much as I love this car, it drives me crazy -
that darn check engine light!!!! I'm hoping it's something as simple as the
fuel pump relay. (The codes are now clear, and all read 1-1-1 (no problems)
- except for the fact that it won't start. Thanks for your help.
Patricia
ANSWER: Thank you for the concise response Patricia, now I can help. Firstly, your codes are probably NOT related to the no start situation. I suspect a bad oxygen sensor or a vacumm leak is setting the codes. The codes are telling you about the effect and not the cause. Make sense?
On second thought though, the one thing that could be causing both problems is a leaking fuel pressure regulator. They leak internally by the diaphragm. Pull the vacumm line off of it and see if it is wet, (has fuel in it) if so, replace it. Then see if your codes reset. If so, look at the above mentioned items.
All in all, do not get frustrated. This is an old car and needs some TLC periodically. The 240's are tanks and almost impossible to kill. Only rust or a major collision puts them out to pasture. You could not own a more affordable Swedish vehicle. I've owned several of the 2 and 7 series Volvos and there is NOTHING more reliable and cheaper to maintain except maybe a German made VW Jetta. My last 740 turbo wagon was the company shuttle and after I closed I sold it running perfectly with 268,000 miles on it. 4 years later, it lives in Canada and is still running today! Hang in there baby!
Mark
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QUESTION: Thanks Mark. I agree, we always call the Volvo the tank, and my daughter
loves it so much, she wants to take it to university next year. About your
suggestions. I will pass this on to my husband. Before we do anything
though, the computer has reset, so according to it, it's fault free.
Problem...still won't start. Sorry for asking so many questions, but this fuel
pressure regulator could be the reason that it isn't starting? or are you
saying it could be the reason of the fault codes? Any thought about the two
things I mentioned? Fuel pump relay and Crank Position Sensor. We live in a
small town in northern BC and all parts have to be ordered in. Thanks again
for all of your help. I truly appreciate it!!!!
Answer Patricia, yes, if the regulator is bad enough, raw fuel is drawn into the intake manifold and soaks (floods) the spark plugs. A simple fuel pressure test will tell you if the pump is ok. Crank position sensor very unlikely, but always a possibility. Do you have spark?
Mark
