my volvo will only stay running for a few seconds and then I have to wait about 4 hours until it will start again and die. What could be causing this?

read your trouble codes....easy on this model---study up and report back-

clogged cat? couple hours to expell exaust? potato in tailpipe? sounds logical dont' it ? im just guessing I know little about this stuff never worked in a garage for a paycheck,though i am observing

When my Mother's 1990 Volvo 240 decided April was evil, it turned out to be the throttle position sensor, even though there were no codes, and the unit bench tested within spec.

not reporting back? there's a plug...