Volvo dies for no apparent reason sometimes while driving. Coast to the side of road, wait a few seconds, and after one or 2 tries turning key, volvo fires up and runs like nothing happened. Any ideas?

Immobilizer is shutting the car down most likely. Try a different key see if it happens to the other key or bring it to volvo and have them get a new key for it. And have them check the anntenna for the immobilizer. The immobilizer system will shut the car off if it does not sense the correct wireless signature from the key, after a few seconds. You can take the key out of the ignition then reinsert it, try again see if it starts.

More common problems not volvo specific:Plugged fuel injectors maybe, turbo controller problem maybe. Or an ignition control module problem after it heats up. Hard to tell.

I used to have that same exact model and year of car and it had a turbo controller problem that would only be noticeable if at high altitude, 5000ft or above and engine under significant load( climbing a long hill) the engine would surge up and down constantly. Replaced the turbo controller and it was fixed.




Good luck with that

I have a 2000 S70 Volvo. There are many times it will not start. The engine turns over but sometimes it will not start. I remove the key reinsert it and it will start. This does not always work the first, second or third time but it does eventually start. I have never not had it start. There are times that when trying to start it it revs up high and dies (for about a second). Any ideas?

There are three possible ways to get your radio working.
1)Call a dealer and they will give you the code. If for some reason they want to charge you for that code go to the contact page for volvo.com and enter all your info (year make VIN#)they will get back to you in a few days.
2)If you have a owners manual there is a card with the number written on it
3) Sometimes the four number code is written on the back of the stereo. So remove the radio and look on the back.
If you try to put the code in an after 3 tries you fail. The code will switch to OFF and they you will have to wait for 2 to 3 hrs before you can try again. If the OFF code shows up you can remove the number 7 fuse turn car on and replace and you don't have to wait.

Hold down the odometer reset button, turn the ignition key to position 1 for 1-2 sec. Then, turn the key to position 2 still holding the button down. Wait for the service light to flash and release the button. It can be tricky. It may take a few times to get it.

Sounds like you need a fuel pump. There is an access panel in the floor of the car to get to the pump.

Hi,you should change cambelt pully(there is a bearing inside pully before it worn out completely,it will cause high friction and heat to burn out your bell and rattling noise).buy cambelt pully from the dealer then take it to the garage ask them to put it in for you (labor about 30.00 dollars)...the rest is ok to wait until 150.000 miles.
good luck!!!!!!!!!!!

This same problem just started happening to mine too. My mechanic cannot find the issue. I have to get my catyltic converter replaced this week and am not happy about it.
Just bought the car last Spring.
How long have you had yours?
Sarah

You have a bad ground connections somewhere.

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

1st thing, check the relays, behind the ashtray, give 'em a gentle twist, while turning the engine.
Bon chance.