Hi all - I have a '93 960 wagon with 188,000 miles. Recently when started it ran really rough for a moment then shut off. Now it won't start.
The electrics are fine, the starter motor operates, and the engine engages but will not fire. I checked the fuses for the fuel pump, they show OK.
I did get a flash message of the coolant light about 2 weeks before, but the coolant was fine. I saw on another site that there is a coolant temperature sensor that might stop the car from starting, but I can't find any other info on this or how to replace it. Related?
Another thought is that years ago my 740 Turbo quit, and it was a relay for the fuel pump. Where is this and how do I check it?

I am only mildly mechanical but I hate to call a tow truck if it's something simple. It also have an '05 Cross Country as my daily driver so I have time to play with fixing the 960...

 

Do you have a CEL? If so, what is the code on it?

 

No, the coolant sensor will not prevent the engine from starting, so that's not it.

I would bet it is your fuel system. In a quiet area, if you turn the ignition key on but not to start, do you hear the fuel pump come on for a second?

Your year car has two fuel pumps, one in the tank and one underside of the car, driverside seat area. The pre pump in the tank can fail and the engine can still run with a sound main pump, but if the main has 188K miles, then it may not run without the pre pump.

Can you measure fuel pressure? If not, there is a schraeder valve at the rear end of the fuel rail, with a rag, see if it is under pressure, if is dribbles out, then there is no pressure.

If you get some fuel pressure, when the engine is cranking over, do you feel clicking of the injectors?

The fuel pump relay is in the relay tray in the center console, passenger side under the ashtray, you will need to remove the passenger knee bolster and the side panel to the console for access.

Let us know what you find.

DanR '94 964 352,000 miles (118,000 on the new engine)

 

Thanks for the replies.

When trying to start the car, you can hear the quiet noise of what I always assumed was the priming of the fuel injectors. Does that mean the pump under the seat is OK?

What's the CEL and how do I find it?

 

CEL = Check Engine Light.