Starting problem

I have a 240 GL 1988, 139,000 miles. It usually runs like a bird.
Out of the blue I have had trouble starting when cold. The features are similar to the question posted in Sept, but not quite the same.
When I try to start, it turns over strongly but does not catch, or fires but then dies out quickly. At first, if I persisted, it would start on one or two cylinders and finally run normally. Then I couldn't start it at all, whichever way I held my mouth, or foot. Once started there is no running problem, and it may start again easily when warm.
I saw my local mechanic and had distributor cap, rotor, HT leads, and "ignition module" (not sure what this is) replaced, but I still have the same problem.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Have you checked your fuses? I had a similar problem in my 240 and did all the usual ignition things, but found it was the fuse for the fuel pump. I don't quite know why it would only happen in cold or damp weather, but a new fuse and quick clean of the contacts off we went again. Worth a try anyway!

Best of luck

Chippy

Chippy, thanks for your interest and advice. Unfortunately, life couldn't be that simple! I checked the fuses and they are all OK.
Peter Charlesworth

[Rich 264]

See some of the threads from the last few days in the 700 series forum, about starting/running problems. My bet would be the auxiliary air valve, the reason being you say the problem occurs from cold starts and is worse in colder/damp weather. We have a 240 which is the same (been like that a couple of years now just not got round to it!) seems like its not going to run but after a few seconds settles down and is great running or hot starting.
It could be some of the associated 'cold start' gear, such as cold start injector, temperature sensor, warm up regulator, these components together are the injection equivalent to an automatic choke. But the auxiliary air valve is a common failure, they don't seem to have the life expectancy of the rest of the hardware!

Thanks Rich, I appreciate your interest. I will follow up on your suggestions.
Peter

Please provide me the location of the auxilary valve, so i can check it on my 79 volvo 244 series, having the same problem, fuses ok, battery, replaced fuel pump relay. still will not start. Bought a new battery, still would not start until I jumped the car off. Drove about one hour and cut car off, tried to recrank again and would not start even if I jumped it off. Please if you have any suggestions other than the auxilary air valve.

Originally Posted by Rich 264

See some of the threads from the last few days in the 700 series forum, about starting/running problems. My bet would be the auxiliary air valve, the reason being you say the problem occurs from cold starts and is worse in colder/damp weather. We have a 240 which is the same (been like that a couple of years now just not got round to it!) seems like its not going to run but after a few seconds settles down and is great running or hot starting.
It could be some of the associated 'cold start' gear, such as cold start injector, temperature sensor, warm up regulator, these components together are the injection equivalent to an automatic choke. But the auxiliary air valve is a common failure, they don't seem to have the life expectancy of the rest of the hardware!