First time ever (1995=850NA) that the car would not start... cranks but would not catch. Looked at the plugs (gasoline wet)...pulled them all, dried them off. Cranked again and again...REALLY cranked it...it tried to catch, but didn't...THEN, when I went to crank it...it would crank for about 8 times then no crank, just a spinning sound... Tried it again, same thing...crank, then spin. What did I do? Did I destroy something? I am more concerned about the spinning sound, without the crank than I am about it not starting.

 

check engine light on? also sounds like the starter isnt fully engaging full

 

Cam shaft sensor will stop a car from starting.

 

Would the cam shaft sensor not also keep the fuel pump from coming on as well as keeping the injectors from opening? I'm new to Volvo but on BMW's you would not have anything other then the motor rotating with the cam sensor not working.

 

So, I will never know what happened. Since I toasted the starter, and it was cold and damp out (I have no garage), I had it towed to my local mechanic. He put in a new starter. After he put in the starter, car started right up! All I wonder is: It was a wet day of the problem...I had just put new wires/ plugs and cap in two weeks prior. Could 'wetness' be a problem? I know that in the 'old days', when wires got old and wet, no start. My old Benz would get moisture under the distributer cap. At the time of the 'no start', I pulled the cap on my 850...it was dry. Pulled the plugs, they were wet with fuel. I just don't want this to happen again.

 

I believe it WAS your starter.