I am trying to get my sister in laws 93 850 to start, and having zero luck. She bought the car 1 year ago, drove it 15,000 miles. During the winter it was very hard to start on a sub zero day, but ran great once started (had to shoot in starter fluid). Total mileage 130,000. Then, one cold day - it refused to start. She let it sit, and bought a new car. Now, 3 months later we are trying to start it again, but no luck.

The motor spins, no problem. The fuel pressure seems ok at the check valve. Shooting in starter fluid has no effect. Essentially, we have no spark.

I did get a spark tester, and the ignition coil isn't putting out spark. SO I replaced the coil, plugs, rotor, distributor, plug wires. Absolutely no change. Still no spark.

I bought the haynes manual, etc. Checked the built in diagnostics code - it registers as "no fault."

Put in a new battery, still no spark...

What else could it be??? According to the haynes manual, it should be the coil/ or rotor, etc. If it were the computer, sensors, etc, it should register on the self diagnostics.

Any help appreciated, as I am running out of parts to replace. I was wondering if it could be the ECU? But then wouldn't that show up as a fault on the diagnostics??? Cam sensor???

Any help appreciated. The car is in great shape, and basically has zero value if it sin't running.

Thank you, Bo.

 

Hello Bo,

Greetings.

If the ignition coil is not producing spark, it is generally electronic problem and should appear on the diagnostic terminal (OBD-I). Did you check both FUEL and IGNITION terminals on OBD-I? Generally no spark seems to be due to a faulty CPS (camshaft position sensor) as you know, but other than that, I can only think the power stage being faulty. Power stage is the component where the ignition coil isattached to, and if this was not replaced with the coil, it may be at fault. Also, note that Volvos are really choosy when it comes to the quality of parts and non-OEM parts may give you more troubles than resolutions (except for A/C evaporator, in which case the OEM is of lesser quality).

If the coil isn't firing, there is no sense in going over anything downstream; I apologise if I this upset you, I'm sure you knew it. So, at this point I can only suggest that you go over BOTH FUEL & IGNITION terminals (can't remember which # though, but they both should be on terminal "A"), as well as simple ground wires. Also, let us know if it's turbo or NA.

Will wait for your reply. Please note, that I'm responding from Japan and I'm about to go to bed and won't be available until morning; but the 850 forum has many experts so someone should be replying to you soon. In the meantime, I suggest that you or your sister refer to the following post; it should be helpful:

https://volvoforums.com/m_48928/tm.htm


JPN

 

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JPN

 

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JPN