Hello everyone,
I've got a really confusing problem on my '96 850 Turbo.
When I try to start the car, sometimes it will crank and the timing belt moves but sometimes all I hear is a grinding sound from the middle of the engine area.
I have changed the camshaft sensor as well as the crankshaft sensor. No dice. It has new spark plugs, a new New rear O2 sensor, and a new battery.
I've cleaned the contacts on the grey relay box above the engine fan and have no idea on what could be the issue.
It has been parked since Fathers day when it cut out on me at a stop light.
Has anyone ever heard of this type of thing?

I deliver food for a living and need this thing up and moving desperately.

Here is a YouTube video so you can see what's happening.
https://youtu.be/f2EOd9DXQ1E

Thanks in advance.

 

have you tested to see if you have spark? did you test for fuel pressure (or try jumpering the fuel pump relay)?

 

Thanks for your reply.
I don't know how to test for spark. It ran fine before but cut off at a stop light and hasn't started since. I did clean the plugs today as well as checked all for ohmage. All read roughly 5.4k on average. Cable from the distributor cap to spark plug 3 gives no ohm reading. The rest of the distributor cables tested fine.
I don't know how to test for fuel pressure. I will look that up on YouTube shortly.
I've heard of jumpering the fuel relay (grey box above radiator?) but can find no information as how to do it.

Any thoughts? Thanks again.

 

old school way of testing for spark is to pop off the wire cover, pull a plug wire, insert a spare spark plug - touch the threading to some metal (ie ground) then have somebody crank the engine so you can see if it arcs.

Fuel pump is in the box near the windshield. you can pop off the relay (or replace) and jumper the two large spaded. I've just opted to replace the relay since they do go from time to time - particularly on a 20 year old car where a weak fuel pump can expose an old relay.

To test for fuel pressure, you need a fuel pressure guage - there's a shraeder valve (like a tire) on the end of the fuel rail tap into.

 

Thanks so much for the tips.

I jumpers the relay 103 (pins 87 and 15) with no change or luck in performance.

ItIts dark outside now, so I'll have to wait until tomorrow to try the spark test.

Fingers crossed.
Have a good night.

 

Checked For Spark Today. Spark 1 no go, so I decided to hang it up. Am parting the thing out instead.
Thanks for the reply.

 

Lost another 850