I started up the volvo wagon yesterday to pull it up farther in my driveway and I ran just fine. Today my wife went to start it and it just missed and then died. It cranks over fine, and I checked for fuel and spark and I have both (fuel pump running, visually checked spark). Is there a way to check the crank and cam sensors to see if that is the problem or is there something else I have missed in my day long search.

thanks in advance

 

You didn't hear a mechanical crunch when it stopped running did you?

I would ck fuel pressure; if that's good then ck compression.

 

no mechanical crunch
checked the fuel pressure - 40+psi
checked compression - 100, 60ish,120,40ish,100

Obviously compression is too low on 2 and 4 but I wouldn't think that would keep it from running. It doesn't really use that much oil, and it's been running fine. I would think it would start and run on three cylinders, but maybe it's time to send this one off to the junk yard.

 

Compression is low across the board; should be at least 160 or more.

I would pop off the timing belt cover (one bolt) and ck the cam timing just to make sure one/both of the cams didn't jump a tooth. Assuming not, it's OH or junkyard time.

 

Check the cam timing,

If I remember correctly you will not have SPARK if the cam and crank sensors are not functioning?

Also,

How did you check spark?
I have seen a bad rotor cause this problem, spark at the coil but with a bad rotor NO SPARK at the plugs.