QuestionHi Jason,
We have a 93 240 wagon that we love, with one condition--it has serious hot start problems. After 30 or so minutes of stop and go driving, especially on a hot day, if you park it, it will refuse to start for an hour or more (less if you open the hood). Turn the ignition, dash lights go on, but there's no sound. Once it cools oiff, though, it starts right up.
I could live with this problem except that this week I was switching lanes during rush hour and the engine stalled at 30 MPH. Symptoms were same as hot start--dash lights on, no sound when key turned, started again after about an hour (and a $125 tow).
Also, while we don't usually have trouble in cold weather, once this past winter after letting the 240 sit for a week or two without driving, I drove it about a mile (with no stops), and it wouldn't start after sitting an hour. After 90 minutes, though, it started up.
And: I don't think I've ever seen the temperature gauge go above 1/3, even on a hot summer day.
We replaced some fuses last year, and two mechanics have looked at it, with no luck. Is there any sort of guidance you can offer? Someone mentioned that the fuel pump relay could be the culprit. Is there an easy way to find out? My wife is talking about selling the car (which has only 105K on it.)
Many thanks.
Mark
AnswerThe fuel pump relay sounds like what I was going to suggest first. It's under the dash, on the left side. You can take it out from the wire harness and test it by applying voltage to the terminals. Replacements can be found at the dealership or at a junk yard. Sometimes picking up one from the latter and seeing if it changes anything can be the solution. I would definetly start there. Second, because this is a potentially mysterious problem, I would suggest posting your question on www.brickboard.com in the 240 section, where it can be read by many Volvo experts that might give you a different opinion (especially the ones which have owned the newer 240s). Good luck!
