Ok I've been reading here off and on for a few months and haven't really found any solutions as of yet.

It's got a B230 fuelly non-turbo 4cyl

Dad brought home his late parents volvo May 2013.

Ran fine all the way down from Indiana and ran fine for a little while after that.

Then the no starts began. Generally it'll get 2 starts then it won't start again.

What has been done is a bunch of testing that lead to the intank pump and its harness being replaced and both of the radio suppression relays and their harnesses being replaced.

Now from what I'm reading here it sounds like the CPS and/or fuel pressure regulator are common issues in no-starts. The FPR being a bit of a pain to diagnose given there is no schrader valve on the rail.

I've also read about a guy here that had a stretched timing belt that was causing intermittent no-starts, seems a bit out there but anythings possible.

Thoughts, comments and smart aleck remarks all being accepted.

Brice

 

Under what conditions will it not start?
Under what conditions will it start?

 

240's don't have a radio supression relay, thats a 740/940 thing. and evne on those there is only one.

when it won't start, you need to determine if its getting spark and fuel. after a few extended cranks (say, 5 seconds each), sniff near the tailpipe, do you smell gas fumes? if you do, its probably getting gas. quick-dirty test for spark is to use a clamp-on old fashion timing light and see if it blinks while you're cranking. better test is to pull a spark plug, hook it back up to its wire, hold it firmly against an engine ground like a valve cover bolt and hav ea friend crank, see if there's a fat strong spark. also inspect that plug, is it wet or damp with fuel when you pulled it after a few trial start attempts.

 

The current pattern is after getting back from the 'volvo' shop it'll start twice and then won't.

Talking with dad today he said that the shop 'plays with the wires' then he gets 2 starts out of it.

According to what he's read in the books he's got and what the shop has told him there are two relays on the right front fender behind the battery that are radio suppression relays.

So far yes on spark and from what we can tell one or both of those relays are keeping fuel from being delivered.

 

is this a 240 or a 740/940 ??

on the left fender of a 1990 240, there's the step relay for your high/low headlights, the fuse for your fuel injection system, the 'positive terminal' junction box, and thats it.

there's no relays on the right fender at all. note, left and right are the CAR's left and right, not yours as you face it from the front.

that fuse holder for the EFI system often goes bad with age (this car is 24 years old now), I generally replace those if they are even a little suspect with a waterproof marine fuse holder, using waterproof marine crimps to attach it to the original wiring.

I think your dad should find a better shop if all they can do is 'play with wires'.

 

Pierce, yes there are two relays on the cars right fender, I've been hands on with them myself. Agreed on the marine fuse. Agreed again regarding the shop. I'm hoping he'll get the car back today then I'll take a few pics and try and find some time to get my hands on it. That's part of why it's at a shop, severe lack of time.

I really appreciate your time and interest and will follow up asap.

Brice

 

Huh... I don't know of any relays on right side fender either. I would love to see a picture of what you are talking about, as that would clear things up a bit. But looking through the '90 wiring diagram, I didn't see anything. Maybe there've been some alterations. Else, I'm not sure.