i was taking apart my volvo yesterday to put new spark plug wires on my distributor cap. when i was taking each wire off i forgot to label them. and i dont know where they go on the distributor cap.

mister moe

 

Well the distributor cap is labeled(look for small numbers) right next to where the wires plug in. I believe its 54321 from left to right on the block, but wait for confirmation on that.

 

I think it is actually 4 5 3 2 1 But I don't pay attention to that. We use OEM and both the cap and wires are labeled.

 

wait what? 45321? then I put mine in wrong, lol

 

LOL are yours numbered? I would have taken a pic but just threw the old ones away. If the car is running good you must have them right.

 

well i dunno, the car runs, you know my problems, lol

car does stammer in the lower rpm range at idle

 

I will try to find a firing order and post.

 

I'm not sure if they have it on Volvo's but there should be a number with 5 digits (1-5) on the engine block right near the distributor somewhere.(this is the firing order) Also, if you can see it, the slots for the spark plugs are numbered, thus, further aiding your dilema :]

Hope this helps.

 

Ok, here's the deal: On all the 5 cylinders and starting from the back of the block, the cylinders are as follows: 1,2,3,4,5. Now the distributor from the back of the block from clockwise and starting from 6 o'clock is: 4,2,1,3,5.. Connect the wires and presto..............

r.

 

Check your distributor, the car could be set at too low of an idle. the previous owner could have possibly set it too low and not have noticed.

If that doesn't work, clean or change the plugs, it sounds like one or two might be dead or close to it.

my dads truck had a similar problem recently and i took it into my auto teacher, we changed the plugs after trying to diagnose the problem, truck sounds and runs fine now.

 

[quote]ORIGINAL: Milk Dud

Check your distributor, the car could be set at too low of an idle. the previous owner could have possibly set it too low and not have noticed.

If that doesn't work, clean or change the plugs, it sounds like one or two might be dead or close to it.

my dads truck had a similar problem recently and i took it into my auto teacher, we changed the plugs after trying to diagnose the problem, truck sounds and runs fine now.


Say, what part of the distributor do I adjust to set the correct idle? Do I need a wrench or a screw driver? I'm not sure that I have any metric screw drivers.................

r.

 

Every car i've ever timed had a nut so it's probably just that, and as for adjusting it, anywhere you can get a good grip to easily adjust it is fine.
If you don't have a timing light you'll have to go by ear and in that situation just raise the rpm's slowly untill the stammering goes away.
Oh, and make sure you're in neutral. :]
Safety first right? Lol


edit: I almost forgot, to adjust the distributor you just turn it left or right. but slowly.

 

Well I just did the cap/rotor/IPD spark plug wires/ iridium spark plugs. All should be good. I think its more a vac leak than anything. But Ill check what you said. I have to put in the msd ignition coil pack and will see if that makes a differnce.

 

There is no adjustment at all on the 850 dist. The computer does all the timing adjustments.

 

well that solves that then.

 

Yes it does. These Volvo's take a little while to get used to.

 

apparently lol.
i'm used to working on non computerized cars anyways.

 

Volvo has been doing it for a while as well. The 240,740,940 with an engine speed sensor has a Dist that moves but moving still does nothing as the computer adjusts all the timing.