Volvo 940

1994 Volvo 940 Ignition System   

Have 940 Wagon, usually starts fine and runs smooth. Recent very cold weather (<15 F) causes bucking on first start, like it's not catching (buh-bum...buh-bum...buh-bum), then I press the gas a little, engine goes right to 2000 RPM for a few seconds and returns to idle (800), then runs ok. Is it the ignition coil, dirty fuel filter, fuel pump, frozen gas line crap that is causing the rough start? Runs like top, to spec all day, fine acceleration and response. Last complete tuneup about 1-1/2 years ago, including replacement of idle air control valve, plugs, wires, rotor, distrib, air, emissions, plus idle linkage reset, etc (did myself with OEM manuals, better than dealer work). HOWEVER, fuel filter not replaced for many years.

It certainly won't hurt to replace the fuel filter.

It is possible the engine is flooding. Try holding the accelerator to the floor on the first start of the day. Does the engine start more quickly?

If the engine is actually lean (not enough fuel to run a cold engine) it may be a temp sensor (coolant, intake) giving a false reading (the ECU thinks it is warm out and doesn't provide a richer mixture to start a cold engine).

1994 Volvo 940 Chassis / Suspension & Steering   

I bought this car used. It has never been wrecked and has been aligned "theoretically" at least once a year for the past 9 years. The car doesn't wear tires in strange ways but pulls to the right if I take my hands off the wheel. I think there is a castor angle problem. What do you think? Bob at cyclerobert@hotmail.com

If it was a castor angle problem, the alighnment would have picked that up,
Uneven tire pressure,wheelbearing adjustment,dragging caliper, and uneven tire wear can also cause pulling.
Check wheel bearings,tire pressure,and rotate tires, and see what happens.
Never been wrecked? Might have just slid into a curb...theoretically not wrecked, but might have bent lower control arm.
Just a few ideas for you to consider...

Thank you for your information. I'll check the items you mentioned. Ther has never been uneven braked pad wear between the right and left front wheels.