1997 Volvo 850 Logo
Posted on Aug 09, 2009

1997 Volvo 850- It doesn't get gas when it idles- Current Problem My original problem is the same as the one described below. My husband use the same fix described below and it worked. "Hi: We own a 1997 Volvo 850, normally aspirated engine (2.4L) with 163,000km on it. This car has been working fine since new but last weekend a strange problem developed. Scenario is as follows: 1) Car started in the garage and driven about 20 feet then parked. 2) Cleaned car during the day, then started it and backed it up into the garage then parked. 3) Next morning, engine turns over fine but will not start. 4) I decided to change the spark plugs since the current ones had about 60,000km on them. Bought new Bosch Platinum +4s and installed. 5) Engine turns over fine but still won't start. 6) Called my regular mechanic who lives quite far away from my home but who's worth the drive. He is a sort of "Volvo guru" but he can fix anything with wheels. After I explained the above to him, he instantly came up with the solution. It seems that the 850 is prone to flooding when one starts the car cold, runs it for a few seconds then shuts it off ... THEN, repeats this procedure without warming up the engine. The solution is to hold the gas pedal to the floor and crank the engine ... I had to do this for a couple of minutes (with breaks in there so as not to cook the starter) but the car did start. I've had the car out for several runs and it works fine. The engine seems to really like to Bosch plugs; the thing just purrs." Now the engine turns on, it doesn't get gas when it idles. I have to keep my foot on the gas pedal so the car won't turn off. Please Help!!!

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  • Posted on Sep 08, 2009
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Hi!

Sounds to me like the engine in fact is getting gas when idleing, but not getting enough air. Therefore my 2 cents are on you IACV (Idle Air Controller Valve). It's a small steel cylinder suspended in a rubber piece on the front of your throttle body, and its job is to supply the engine with air when idleing. This is a necessity since the throttle body valve is closed when the gas pedal isn't pressed. Take out the IACV and clean it thoroughly, also make sure that the air going from it is not hindered by any gunk or deposits on its way to the intake manifold.
(You could have someone hold their hand on the IACV when you take your foot of the gas pedal. If nothing happens it's probably dead or stuck. If something does happen there is still a chance that the air is hindered somewhere).

Good luck, let us know if this didn't help!

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