Hi all. I have a 93 850 GLT, non-turbo.
This car is perfect, top to bottom.
For the past few months though, it has developed a little irritant.
Every couple weeks, or once a week. Just out of the blue, that car won't start. The car cranks over, I hear the fuel pump....it is getting spark.

I try it a couple times, and then just walk away. BUT NOT FAR.
I come back in a few hours, or the next day. The car fires up like top.

The only new thing is the spark plugs.
Wires/cap/rotor...are on order. (Original had lots of carbon...so I currently lightly sanded down the points till the new ones arrive)

The car has 320000kms...with what seems to be original everything.

Going through the codes...nothing pops up. Everything looks good.

And info you can pass along to help me diagnos the problem would be great.

 

Fuel pressure ok?

 

I have not checked the fuel pressure.
I will have to borrow, (buy if not to expensive)....a fuel pressure gauge to check it out.

If it is a weak fuel pump...I can live with that.

I don't want this to be a sensor/electric/relay bonanza!

 

You might be able to live with it but not sure for how long. Also when it doesn't start does it seem to turn over faster then normal?

 

I agree with Tech. Without fuel pressure test at the point of no start needs to be established. from what you have indicated that you hear the fuel pump working, I would look to the fuel pump relay.My relay flaked out on my 93' as described in your incident.Good luck.

 

If it is the fuel pump..I will forsure tryto replace it asap.

The times it is turning over...but not starting. Everything is normal. Turns over the same. (Sound/battery drain...)

The car (when it does start), turns over with a flick of the wrist.

I am off to the gas station (where it currently is resting!!!) To see if I can bring her home.

I'lllet you know if I got her back yet. And I will do thefuel pressure test by the end of the weekend.

 

15 minutes later...I am at home with my Volvo.
Grrr... You can see how frustrating it can be. But...I know I never have to pay for a tow. (Unless I procrastinate somemore)

Hopefully I can have my tune up/fuel check up done before the next time this happens.

But when will that be....tomorrow, next week...next month!!!

 

[:'(]Did not want to start last night again! Midnight it crapped out. I disconnected the battery, and came here at 8am. Re-connected, and it fired right up.

I am not saying it is something with the computer...but is it possible? Because the other times this has happened...I have not disconnected the battery, and it started up later.

I still haven't done a fuel pressure test unfortuneatley. And now this is the closest this has happened.

 

Get the fuel pressure checked and when it won't start try to test injection pulse.

 

Being POSITIVE it isn't the fuel pump, I can say that isn't true anymore.
I would always here a buzzing in the car, but that wasn't the actual fuel pump. (A relay is making that noise....same noise day in and day out)

When I figured that out, and the car starts no problem, I would then step outside and listen to the actual sound the pump makes.
I would check it everyother day...just to listen.
No problems, SINCE MY LAST POST on the 15th.


Now, the car won't start again. Same issue. Now listening for the pump. NO GO. It isn't working.

So now I come to you...what would cause to pump to randomly not work??? Whether it be a weeks time...or like now, almost a month since the last time it happened.

Voltage/relay/regulator/loose wires/.......or is the actual pump going???????????

This is only a random starting issue. The car never hesitates/chokes/or smells rich.
The pump just won't turn on some times it seems. Come back later...it is good to go.

I'm sure I'll be back in a couple hours...telling you the car is up an running.

 

It could be either the relay or the pump. Best to do would be find the wires for the pump and connect a light to the plug and when it won't start see if the light works when you crank the car over. If the light works then the pump is bad. If the light doesn't work the relay is bad.

 

I went back to the car to give it a go...heard the fuel pump priming. Turned it over, and it gave a quick start then stopped. (Because I am sure I exhausted most of the pressure/fuel in the lines from trying previously to start it)

I turn the key to listen for the fuel pump to prime....nothing. And of course, it just cranks then.

So the fuel pump primed just the time...then no more after that.

I have the trunk cover taken off...and the wires are exposed.

I can't try it tonight, as my car is left at work. But, there are 3/4 bundles of wires going into the fuel pump area. (I took off the big metal plate...not the small) So which wire(s) am I looking for?

And the test light...do I want to be testing just when the pump is priming...or when I try to crank it over?
TYTYTY

 

Mine 94 950 turbo d\o the exact thing many times. Can someone tell me where is the location of the feul pump relay?

 

It's located under the hood...beside the fuse box. You have to unscrew the 4 star??? screws. Relay 103.

I just took mine out, and gently pried open the relay.
From reading other posts, it has been said that this relay is faulty. And someone has posted a $5 or so fix to the actual relay, with diagrams.

My relay, all the solder joints look good. The relay looks brand new.

And...my car is now at home, I started it up this morning.

Regardless if it is the relay...I am purchasing a new one tonight. $60max. It is available on a few websites.

I am hoping this is the problem.

 

There is a 2 wire plug that I believe is black. I don't have the diagram home. You will have the test light connected. You know it only primes for a few seconds then stops. Then when you crank it over the pump should run again.
So try to leave it in there and watch when cranking.

I think the wire might be green or red.

 

I pulled my relay out and could find something loose inside making a rattle when I shake this component. Pryed it open and found a small (2-3mm dia) solder bead inside it. The relay looked like brand neww and all connections look good other then the connections for the relay can be suspected for the dry/crakhed solder. I just resolderedall major connections with flux and solder and put it back in. lets hope that problemwill vanish.

 

Well, I am going on 3 months strong...and no issue. I replaced my fuel pump relay (#103) in early Nov/08. My Volvo starts up everytime. Even in Saskatchewan's -40 weather, without plugging it in!!!

 

I have followed this thread as I have the same starting problems on a V70 140k miles. Will check fuel pump relay now.