'96 850 T5: Lambda Light - Low Boost - No cold start

Hi all,

I'm not new to the forum but don't use it a lot.

Have searched both this forum and others for some sort of answer but nobody's situation seems to quite match mine or provide all the answers.

I recently bought a '96 850 T5 CD Manual Saloon, with 114,000 on the clock. It's now on 116,000. I had the engine checked for boost leaks around a month a go and all was well, although I know this could be a new issue which may be causing the problems.

It has been faultless up until last night when a sudden judder on very low throttle occurred cruising at around 50 in 5th gear, followed by the lambda light appearing seconds later.

Now it doesn't seem to boost properly, both in real terms and on the boost gauge. It also requires around 4k revs for a fair few seconds in order to get it started when cold. Without the revs it starts and then dies out immediately. Fuel consumption seems normal and there are no other issues or noises.

I downloaded Vol-Fcr last night in order to try to read the fault codes as I was convinced I had an ODB-2 cable knocking about but I can't seem to find it annoyingly.

The only other point worth mentioning is that there is a decent split in the exhaust post silencer caused by corrosion, whether there is more to this or not I am unsure. However this has been here since I bought the car and has not been a problem (It's on the list to be sorted in the near future).

Firstly, anyone had a similar experience or got any ideas? Secondly, I know I need the fault codes read to establish the issue properly, so does anyone near TA1 Somerset have a diagnostics tool or ODB-2 cable that I could borrow/trouble you with in exchange for some lager beers.

Thanks in advance, Jake.

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Originally Posted by jabbles21

Hi all,

I'm not new to the forum but don't use it a lot.

Have searched both this forum and others for some sort of answer but nobody's situation seems to quite match mine or provide all the answers.

I recently bought a '96 850 T5 CD Manual Saloon, with 114,000 on the clock. It's now on 116,000. I had the engine checked for boost leaks around a month a go and all was well, although I know this could be a new issue which may be causing the problems.

It has been faultless up until last night when a sudden judder on very low throttle occurred cruising at around 50 in 5th gear, followed by the lambda light appearing seconds later.

Now it doesn't seem to boost properly, both in real terms and on the boost gauge. It also requires around 4k revs for a fair few seconds in order to get it started when cold. Without the revs it starts and then dies out immediately. Fuel consumption seems normal and there are no other issues or noises.

I downloaded Vol-Fcr last night in order to try to read the fault codes as I was convinced I had an ODB-2 cable knocking about but I can't seem to find it annoyingly.

The only other point worth mentioning is that there is a decent split in the exhaust post silencer caused by corrosion, whether there is more to this or not I am unsure. However this has been here since I bought the car and has not been a problem (It's on the list to be sorted in the near future).

Firstly, anyone had a similar experience or got any ideas? Secondly, I know I need the fault codes read to establish the issue properly, so does anyone near TA1 Somerset have a diagnostics tool or ODB-2 cable that I could borrow/trouble you with in exchange for some lager beers.

Thanks in advance, Jake.

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I've also got similar symptoms on my 2001 T5, I wonder if I've got a faulty Lambda sensor too. I'll be interested to compare notes.

Do any of these symptoms sound familiar...

'Stalling' especially when cold on start-up?

Rough idle

Loss of boost generally

Boost 'surging' or 'dropping' then coming back and the car seems to 'hold back' on full throttle?

Ideally you need your codes read, but it sounds like it could be a MAF problem, try unplugging yours and see if anything changes, if no change that's your problem.

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Originally Posted by stribo

Ideally you need your codes read, but it sounds like it could be a MAF problem, try unplugging yours and see if anything changes, if no change that's your problem.

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I agree with this and is a good starting point.

Brilliant, thanks for your help.

I had already removed MAF sensor to try and it made no difference, so i'll be cleaning that tonight. Failing that i'll order a new part.

James I don't suffer from any of those symptoms, mostly because I can't even start it at the moment haha. I'm sure someone on here can send you in the right direction.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jabbles21

Brilliant, thanks for your help.

I had already removed MAF sensor to try and it made no difference, so i'll be cleaning that tonight. Failing that i'll order a new part.

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If you do need a new one, make sure you go for a genuine Volvo/Bosch one, as they don't seem to like aftermarket ones.

I had similar symptoms on mine all pointing to maf failure ended up being the lambda!

I've now changed the MAF sensor for a used but genuine part, and the same problem remains. What may be the next step?

Diagnostics?

Someone mentioned engine oil temperature sensor?

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance.

One of the intercooler hoses came off ?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jabbles21

I've now changed the MAF sensor for a used but genuine part, and the same problem remains. What may be the next step?

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as already said, get the codes read. Why throw money at it when you can let the computer tell you whats up

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Originally Posted by p fandango

as already said, get the codes read. Why throw money at it when you can let the computer tell you whats up

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I`d go along with what pedro said :)