VOLVO 240 DL STARTS THEN DIES - 1993 Volvo 240

SOURCE: 1988 Volvo 240 DL won't start B230F

I had more or less the same problem. It would only happen when the engine was cold. According to the mechanic, the fuel pump was going bad. After replacing it, I havent had it happen to me again, granted its only been a couple of days since I changed it.

SOURCE: 1984 volvo 240 gl wagon engine kill

Check for vacuum leaks,pull off your intake hose and look for small cracks,also go to the rear of car and listen for you intank fuel pump,needs to making an humming sound,no sound or intermediate this can be your problem.

SOURCE: 88 volvo 240 starts most of the time but dies when i push gas

Wow. any number of things. Clogged fuel filter? Fuel pump relay. Try getting in the car when it's quiet around you. Turn the key to "on", not start. You should hear the fuel pumps hum for a few seconds and then stop. If you don't hear them, check your fuse box. They are labeled but I believe #6 is usually the main fuel pump fuse. If fuses are good, then it could be your fuel pump relay. These typically develop cracks in the solder and when they warm up, break contact and theengine dies. The relay is accessed by removing the 7 screws that hold your glovebox in. Slide it out as a unit. Remove the glove box bulb if you're going to be at it any great length of time or your battery will die. The relay is a white rectangular box clipped to a metal frame on the left of the now exposed innards. It has like 6-8 pins. Thump it a couple of times and see if the car will start. If it does, replacethe relay. Order online as much cheaper than dealership.
If you do hear the pumps cycle when you turn the key to on, then most likely you have a bad ignition module. Your '88 has LH2.2 so there is no crank sensor to go bad. The ignition module is mounted to the driver's side under hood by air cleaner. Small flat black rectangle w/ silver metal base.
If all this is Greek to you, try a Volvo specific forum like swedespeed.com

SOURCE: At wits end with Volvo 240 dl Headlights and

check the fuses and relays if still bad check headlight switch

Testimonial: "thanks"

SOURCE: 1987 Volvo 240 DL Starts runs briefly then dies

your injectors arnt opening make sure that your white relay is good check grounds clean off the battery post. whats happening is your cold start injector is spraying a little fuel in to get it going and it is running off of that.