Volvo: Cold start problem, fuel pump relay, volvo 740

Question
1991 Volvo 740 (non turbo) starts perfectly once started, but if it has not run for a day or two (or overnight) it doesn't want to start. It may take 10-15 min to get it started. If I have driven the car within 24 hours, it will start but it doesn't start like it should... I am pretty sure it's not getting fuel. I checked the spark (it's great) and pulled the plugs after cranking for several minutes (with rest periods) and they were dry and unfouled.

Again, once the car does start, I can shut it off and even though the engine isn't warmed, up it will start immediately and continue to start and run perfectly throughout the day.

One thing that may be unrelated that started about the same time as this problem cropped up (which was suddenly - it didn't get harder to start over time - it had always started cold without hesitation) was my engine temp gauge started jumping around rather than staying in the middle like it used to. When the car is cold, the gauge looks right and as the engine warms it comes up like it should (about to the middle of the gauge) but then starts jumping around. I have checked the connectors on the sending units and they look fine.

Answer
Hello Jeffrey! The starting problem could be caused by a number of things. However, I would check the fuel pump relay and possible the fuel pump. That year and model is notoriuos for bad fuel pumps. The temeratur guage problem is caused by the sender in the head. I would replace it.


Jimmy