Rough running and stalling at traffic lights

I have a trusty 440 1.8 (L plate). She'll run fine for about 10 or 15 minutes, albeit a little bit rough (she rattles a little and sounds a little throaty, even though the exhaust has checked out OK), then starts to play havoc. When I stop at traffic lights she'll run for a few seconds, then start to drop her revs and stall. Putting my foot on the accelerator has a 50/50 chance of catching her or killing her completely. When she's done this, even if I have restarted the engine, she is exceptionally sluggish pulling away. She'll even stall if she feels like it. The sluggishness will suddenly vanish and I find myself accelerating briskly towards the car in front! If I manage to get the car back up to a reasonable speed (30mph seems to do the trick) she'll behave herself again, only to start playing havoc at traffic lights after another 10 or 15 minutes. A couple of weeks ago the steering rack was changed, which is when the problems started. The car came back misfiring horrifically. This was put down to a couple of split pipes, which the garage replaced. However, this problem is getting progressively worse. Any thoughts would be appreciated!

this might not be related, My mothers ford focus was suffering the same issues as above, and it turned out that the ground cable bolted to the chassie just required re-greasing with copper grease and clean up of a little rust that had formed, it had a bad contact which resulted in all the electrics being dodgy. I cant help but say take it back to the garage and make them fix what they broke!

Same Problem 

Sounds like it might possibly be an air leak somewhere, check all vac pipes, filter to throttle body air pipe and if you have a breather pipe from the crank check to see if that is split or blocked.

It might be something called the Idle Control Valve. Do a search on these forums to see what you can find. Pete

X2 with the IAC, its a black rectangular unit on the front of the throttle body at the base, you'll see a multi plug on the front of it and i plunger type thing that controls the throttle. Disconnect the multiplug, it will run like a pig when cold, but should drive reasonably well once warmed for a couple of minutes. Thanks how i discovered this was the fault with my 440, although along with your symptoms i had high revs at times too, dip the clutch and the revs stuck around 3000 then dropped slowly.

Well, the car's at the local garage with your suggestions for them to work through. I'll let you all know how it goes when the car comes back (assuming it does!) In the meantime, thank you and my fingers are crossed!!

Sounds familiar 

Hmm ... been reading this one with interest. As the previous poster suggests, the options are many. I've had similar problems for a long time now, where the car stalls in 2nd. mainly. The classic situation is blithering idiot in front moves to go and then brakes sharply for no reason. A quick start / stop like that usually results in a cut - out. Actually the car at all times will jump sharply when I come off the clutch going into 2nd. The only solution for this seems to be to dip the throttle slightly as it engages! So far I've had the alternator done, Alternator belt checked, MAF thingy done, throttle boot thingy done, throttle position sensor replaced ... and all to no avail. I think you've got to ask yourself is it worth it? In my own case I gave up, because the cost of that sensor and a huge tip to the garage ( sorry, 'labour' ) was half the price of another 1994 440! I have a sneaking suspicion that the ability of Volvo's to let in water in weird places has something to do with these problems. Best of luck with it. Regards, Tony.