Hi everyone, recently got a 1997 850 non-turbo and just joined the forum. I have a problem with it not starting. Last week the engine light came on along with the "flashing" arrow. I checked the oil and it was a bit low so I added some. I drove it around a bit and the arrow went away. Yesterday my wife started it and it wouldn't advance correctly, and had the flashing arrow again. She stopped the car and left it alone until I came home, I tried to start it and no luck. The battery was somewhat low so I tried to jump start it with no success. I noticed gas smell after several cranks, also took off the wire on the coil and spark was present. I then went and borrowed a OBDII reader and the code that came up was P0705, Transmission Ramge Sensor Circuit (PRNDL). I erased the code with the reader hoping it would help, also ran the shifter through all gears 20 times x3 and it still doesn't start, just cranks. On 2 of the attempts it started very weak and rough for about 3 seconds, smelled like gas too. Any ideas guys/gals??

 

fuel pump relay.

 

Thank you, is there any way to check this before actually replacing it? So I'm guessing this and the tranny code coming up together is pure coincidence?

 

pm sent.

 

Thank you VMax for your help. I checked the fuel pump relay and cleaned it but no luck. Tomorrow I will check out the crank position sensor and see how it looks. Thanks

 

Try starting in neutral. My 850 wouldn't start in park when the pnp switch was faulty, starting in neutral worked though.

 

Thanks Chuck. I left the car on a trickle charger overnight (all the cranking yesterday!) and this evening tried to start it again. After about 10 seconds of straight cranking it turned over with progressively shorter intervals and then ran for about 5 seconds. I waited a bit and then tried again, it was the same except this time it stayed running, but barely. I checked the exhaust color and it was black, too much gas I guess. After running for a while I decided to drive it around, it ran fine! The tranny code didn't come back, I guess the ratcheting worked? I think my problem lies with the plugs. A combination of the low battery, repeated cranking and consequent flooding kept it from starting. I've never changed the plugs since I bought it, and with 108k miles I am starting to think that they've never been changed. I'll post an update, Thanks!

 

Did you check out the camshaft position sensor yet? If not, you should.

 

Is it known to be intermittent? I didn't have a chance today I'll try tomorrow (christmas shopping ARGGHH!)

 

It will be intermittent if the connection is loose, was on my car. Instead of me buying a new bosch unit ($200) I just cleaned the old rubbery gook from around the three prongs and made sure it connected properly to the harness. Good as new.

Just check it to see, i've got a hunch...
Here's a pic of what needs to be cleaned. Thanks to ycartf for the pic.

 

No problem, glad your rides starting again.


Merry Christmas

 

My problem sounds similar. My 97 850T5 wouldn't start. Towed for service, new plugs and wires. A week later same problem towed again. It started no problem, but now a transmission problem - the car goes foward in reverse??