1994 Volvo 440 1.8L Strange Idle Problem

Dec 5th, 2003, 12:39

Hello All,
Perhaps someone can help me. I have a 1994 Volvo 440 1.8l with an interesting idle problem.
I think perhaps it may be the temp control, but here are the symptoms.
- When idling the throttle will bounce at regular intervals between 1200 to 1600 RPMs. This does not happen all the time, but regularly
- I believe gas mileage has decreased.
- Sometimes the car will sit at 1600 RPM in idle.

Suggestions, comments? Please let me know what you think.
Thanks for your help.
FcB

Martin Cox · Dec 5th, 2003, 20:35

Is your car fitted with the B18U engine? If so, I'd be inclined to suspect the idle stepper motor.

Martin Cox

dacvolvo · Dec 7th, 2003, 17:13

Hi there.

I had the exact same problem with my 1.7 Turbo 440. It would be fine sometimes and at others, it would just start to bounce between 6000 and 15000 RPM. People would pull up next to me at traffic lights and they'd think I was wanting to race as my revs would be bouncing up and down! ha ha ha...

The Solution: 20 seconds under the bonnet with a flat head screw driver. There's a little screw head that is recessed into the Throttle body housing. You'll see it facing the sky as soon as you lift the bonnet up. I just turned it clockwise fully (One complete turn) and I've never had the problem appear since, and thet was over 2 years ago now...

Best of luck...

Dec 8th, 2003, 17:15

Hi all, i know all to well how annoying this problem can be. Ive recently got rid of my 1993 B18U 440Xi (a top motor), it definatly sounds like your idle contol unit (stepometer) has broke! Mine broke at around 90k and the revs sorred to 3,500 rpm at idle and then back down again, it was a real pain. Luckily the unit is very easy to change. The part cost around £85 + vat.
Good luck, James

Dec 12th, 2003, 14:23

Okay, so this is what I did. I went to the gas station and put in Super + (98 octane), and that seemed to fix the problem. Very interesting.

Dec 5th, 2003, 12:39	#1
diablojota Guest Location:	1994 Volvo 440 1.8L Strange Idle Problem Hello All, Perhaps someone can help me. I have a 1994 Volvo 440 1.8l with an interesting idle problem. I think perhaps it may be the temp control, but here are the symptoms. - When idling the throttle will bounce at regular intervals between 1200 to 1600 RPMs. This does not happen all the time, but regularly - I believe gas mileage has decreased. - Sometimes the car will sit at 1600 RPM in idle. Suggestions, comments? Please let me know what you think. Thanks for your help. FcB

Dec 5th, 2003, 20:35	#2
Martin Cox VOC Member Last Online: Today 11:35 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Hull	RE: 1994 Volvo 440 1.8L Strange Idle Problem Is your car fitted with the B18U engine? If so, I'd be inclined to suspect the idle stepper motor. Martin Cox

Dec 7th, 2003, 17:13	#3
dacvolvo eVolvolution Last Online: Jul 26th, 2023 20:43 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Glasgow / Kilmarnock	RE: 1994 Volvo 440 1.8L Strange Idle Problem Hi there. I had the exact same problem with my 1.7 Turbo 440. It would be fine sometimes and at others, it would just start to bounce between 6000 and 15000 RPM. People would pull up next to me at traffic lights and they'd think I was wanting to race as my revs would be bouncing up and down! ha ha ha... The Solution: 20 seconds under the bonnet with a flat head screw driver. There's a little screw head that is recessed into the Throttle body housing. You'll see it facing the sky as soon as you lift the bonnet up. I just turned it clockwise fully (One complete turn) and I've never had the problem appear since, and thet was over 2 years ago now... Best of luck...

Dec 8th, 2003, 17:15	#4
big jimmy Guest Location:	RE: 1994 Volvo 440 1.8L Strange Idle Problem Hi all, i know all to well how annoying this problem can be. Ive recently got rid of my 1993 B18U 440Xi (a top motor), it definatly sounds like your idle contol unit (stepometer) has broke! Mine broke at around 90k and the revs sorred to 3,500 rpm at idle and then back down again, it was a real pain. Luckily the unit is very easy to change. The part cost around £85 + vat. Good luck, James

Dec 12th, 2003, 14:23	#5
diablojota Guest Location:	RE: 1994 Volvo 440 1.8L Strange Idle Problem Okay, so this is what I did. I went to the gas station and put in Super + (98 octane), and that seemed to fix the problem. Very interesting.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)