Dreaded Lambda Light

Fizz · Sep 10th, 2006, 22:46

Hi Everyone

I am fairly new to this forum and have just picked up a 740se catalyser from
this site.

I am very happy with it so far, however on a recent long journey the
Lambda light came on and now when I start the car it idles fast and slow fast and slow until it warms up sometimes it just races.

It seems to drive ok but maybe has a very slight rough feeling, hardly noticable.

I did disconnect the battery for half an hour and the light went out but after a few miles it came on again.

It has the B200F engine, does anyone have any ideas what could be causing this? Is there any parts that may need cleaning?

Cheers in advance for any help.

James A · Sep 10th, 2006, 23:10

My 740SE acted like yours when its inlet manfold gasket failed...

Suterman · Sep 10th, 2006, 23:48

check over all the vacuum hoses and pipes. look for splits and aged rubber. also try unplugging the o2 sensor with the engine running and see if it makes any difference to the idle.

Citizen.Agfa · Sep 11th, 2006, 10:31

Sounds like a dreaded relay, possibly the one known as the 'radio suppression' relay, which handles/is involved with, injection, ignition, engine management.

Peter Milnes, the 740 register Grand Jedi is the one to ask about this.

Regards, Nick H.

James A · Sep 11th, 2006, 11:26

That's the one that clips onto the coolant expansion tank, isn't it?

Citizen.Agfa · Sep 11th, 2006, 14:54

Yup, there or thereabouts; not expensive (iro £25 - £30) and transformed my car when I changed said relay earlier this year when my 940 2.0i displayed almost identical symptoms to those posted.

Regards, Nick.

Fizz · Sep 12th, 2006, 09:52

Hi Guys

Thanks for the response on this one.
I have just found the self diagnostic unit and had a play around with it.

I cleared the memory and test drove the vehicle, the diagnostics result was a 1-3-3 fault listed as Throttle switch idle position incorrectly adjusted or shorted to ground.

How accurate are these units and what do I need to do to rectify this fault.

Also I found the large silver air hose split that runs from the front to the engine somewhere on the drivers side. What is this for?

Lastly forgive my ignorance but my engine is a B200F does this fall into a generic term for any 200 engine like a 238 for example, and what type of fuel injection unit is fitted.

Cheers for your excellent help.

J

rogerthechorister · Sep 12th, 2006, 10:31

I was googling volvo engine types last night and believe it or not there is a lot of detial in wikipedia.

If my memory serves me: -

B - engine type - the red block series
20 - the engine size, 2 litres
0 - code for teh number of valves - 0 for an 8 valve, 4 for a 16-valve
Letter(s) for example F for one to meet US federal emission standards, usually therefore low(ish) compression, T for turbo, etc.

Sep 10th, 2006, 22:46	#1
Fizz New Member Last Online: May 15th, 2010 10:12 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Beds	Dreaded Lambda Light Hi Everyone I am fairly new to this forum and have just picked up a 740se catalyser from this site. I am very happy with it so far, however on a recent long journey the Lambda light came on and now when I start the car it idles fast and slow fast and slow until it warms up sometimes it just races. It seems to drive ok but maybe has a very slight rough feeling, hardly noticable. I did disconnect the battery for half an hour and the light went out but after a few miles it came on again. It has the B200F engine, does anyone have any ideas what could be causing this? Is there any parts that may need cleaning? Cheers in advance for any help.

Sep 10th, 2006, 23:10	#2
James A VOC Member Last Online: Jul 16th, 2014 10:52 Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Volvograd	My 740SE acted like yours when its inlet manfold gasket failed... __________________ 2002-2003: 1988 240GL manual saloon - Nameless 2003-Date: 1990 740SE automatic estate - The Volvo 2009-2014: 1997 V70SE 2.5 10v manual estate - The Volvo 2 aka TV2 2014-Date: 1992 940SE Turbo automatic estate 'Wentworth' - The Wentworth

Sep 10th, 2006, 23:48	#3
Suterman 240 Turbo Last Online: May 28th, 2024 14:49 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: shropshire View Photos By: Suterman	check over all the vacuum hoses and pipes. look for splits and aged rubber. also try unplugging the o2 sensor with the engine running and see if it makes any difference to the idle. __________________ 1991 240 Turbo GL 1992 940 GL 1996 940 GLE Turbo Auto 1985 Bedford CF2 B230E

Sep 11th, 2006, 10:31	#4
Citizen.Agfa VOC Member Last Online: Mar 24th, 2024 16:34 Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Nowhere.	Sounds like a dreaded relay, possibly the one known as the 'radio suppression' relay, which handles/is involved with, injection, ignition, engine management. Peter Milnes, the 740 register Grand Jedi is the one to ask about this. Regards, Nick H. __________________

Sep 11th, 2006, 11:26	#5
James A VOC Member Last Online: Jul 16th, 2014 10:52 Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Volvograd	That's the one that clips onto the coolant expansion tank, isn't it? __________________ 2002-2003: 1988 240GL manual saloon - Nameless 2003-Date: 1990 740SE automatic estate - The Volvo 2009-2014: 1997 V70SE 2.5 10v manual estate - The Volvo 2 aka TV2 2014-Date: 1992 940SE Turbo automatic estate 'Wentworth' - The Wentworth

Sep 11th, 2006, 14:54	#6
Citizen.Agfa VOC Member Last Online: Mar 24th, 2024 16:34 Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Nowhere.	Yup, there or thereabouts; not expensive (iro £25 - £30) and transformed my car when I changed said relay earlier this year when my 940 2.0i displayed almost identical symptoms to those posted. Regards, Nick. __________________

Sep 12th, 2006, 09:52	#7
Fizz New Member Last Online: May 15th, 2010 10:12 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Beds	New Clue Hi Guys Thanks for the response on this one. I have just found the self diagnostic unit and had a play around with it. I cleared the memory and test drove the vehicle, the diagnostics result was a 1-3-3 fault listed as Throttle switch idle position incorrectly adjusted or shorted to ground. How accurate are these units and what do I need to do to rectify this fault. Also I found the large silver air hose split that runs from the front to the engine somewhere on the drivers side. What is this for? Lastly forgive my ignorance but my engine is a B200F does this fall into a generic term for any 200 engine like a 238 for example, and what type of fuel injection unit is fitted. Cheers for your excellent help. J

Sep 12th, 2006, 10:31	#8
rogerthechorister Rogerthechorister Last Online: Dec 16th, 2023 02:15 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Rochester	Engine types I was googling volvo engine types last night and believe it or not there is a lot of detial in wikipedia. If my memory serves me: - B - engine type - the red block series 20 - the engine size, 2 litres 0 - code for teh number of valves - 0 for an 8 valve, 4 for a 16-valve Letter(s) for example F for one to meet US federal emission standards, usually therefore low(ish) compression, T for turbo, etc.

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