my wife ran it dry.
 

Ok the other day, my wife ran the car dry. It seems to have exasperated my starting problem. What things should I be looking at?

The vehicle is an '89 740gl. It has new rotor, cap, coil, fuel pump reg, fuel relay, cleaned throttle body, cleaned IAC, It also has a new high pressure pump and fuel filter, but that was before she ran it dry. I figure I need to replace the filter at the least.

Also, can the starter motor be lazy enough to cause problems when starting. What size is your battery? i.e. CCA, CA.

RE: my wife ran it dry.
 

How old is your battery?
Does the car get harder to start after it has been driven?

Nick

RE: my wife ran it dry.
 

The battery and alternator were replaced in february of this year when they quit on me.
On regards to the starting, yes it does. It seems to start up right away on the first time for the day; then it gets harder as theday goes by. It's still a bit variable.

The engine is turning over. There also seems to be a slight oil leak somewhere. the car eats oil slowly. Im not that worried about this that much, unles its adding to the startup problems.

Additionaly, the crank position sensor is new.

RE: my wife ran it dry.
 

With the addition of the oil leak, replace the pcv system (super cheap through fcp).

It sounds like your starter is going bad. The hotter the starter gets, the less likely it is to start. This happend to my Grand National a few years back. I would drive it 70 miles, stop for fuel, and then it wouldn't start. Wait a few hours and it would fire right up. Your starter might be gummed up with oil residue if you have a leak too. Check it to see if it is clean or grimey.

Nick

RE: my wife ran it dry.
 

what's going on with the Volvo?

RE: my wife ran it dry.
 

Not to doubt, but the engine is turning over. Maybe the starter is a bit gummed up as you say. I have replaced the PCV system (flame guard). The engine seems to be unhappy with all the new parts.

It just doesn't want to fire. there are no codes, I keep checking.
Once started, it runs fine with no problems. It's just at start up.

Volvodriver,

The engine starts up fine the first time. you arrive at your destination, do your stuff, and when you come back, it hard to start. Once running it runs all day with no hiccups or nothing.Is the high pressure pump an rubber impeller style or a roller style? It seems to be having trouble on the hot start.


A little scattered. hope this conveys what you need.

RE: my wife ran it dry.
 

Ok, the tank was low, and my wife had trouble starting the car again. She called the tow service and the driver suggested she keep the tank at least half full. It seemed to start up afterthefill up, and after that again.

RE: my wife ran it dry.
 

Your Power Stage may be bunk.
RPM sensor may be bunk.
In-Tank fuel pump may be failing.
Pehaps a new Fuel Pressure Regulator.

RE: my wife ran it dry.
 

Power Stage? Is there another name?

RE: my wife ran it dry.
 

If it runs and starts every time with the tank over 1/2 full then replace the in tank pre pump.

RE: my wife ran it dry.
 

pp

RE: my wife ran it dry.
 

"Ignition Amplifier"

RE: my wife ran it dry.
 

Ok, found the major problem with the starting. still ocasional problems, but not serious. will probably check the hi pressure pump and replace the filter again when i have time, in addition to the intank pump and filter, when I enroll in an auto class at the local CC. The major problem turned out to be that I gapped the spark plugs a little to small when i replaced the fuel pump regulator and the coil. Regapped them and the problem went away.

Hope this reminds someone to check the sparkplug gap after they messed with the sparkplugs.