960 sedan 1995 problem starting

osceolazulu · Post by **osceolazulu** » 09 Oct 2009, 09:45

my Volvo has run very well for the 14 months I have had it (has 100,000 miles on it), but in the last 4 days it has taken numerous attempts to start it and it has stalled on me a couple of times. The check engine light come on. I took it to Pepboys and they could not detect any problem. Upon leaving Pepboys and stopping it immediately failed to start again. A shop looked at the spark plugs and said this could be the problem-the plugs were very blackened and crusty. I ordered plugs from Volvo dealership as I was not going to trust traveling 30 miles to the nearest dealership. I am wondering do bad plugs cause starting problems, poor milage and stalling or is it something else I should also be checking..

danr960 · Post by **danr960** » 09 Oct 2009, 11:04

Is the check engine light still on? Pep Boys was not able to read the code that turned on the light?

I believe up to the '95 year, one can read the codes themself. On the driver side fender is the DTC reader. You need to get a code for a starting point.

Yes, bad plugs could cause a mis fire which in turn could trigger a code.

But I am sensing that if the car ran great until this, it is something other than just tired spark plugs.

DanR '94 964 343,000 miles (109,000 on the new engine)

Post by **billofdurham** » 09 Oct 2009, 12:10

osceolazulu, welcome to Matthew's Volvo Site.

danr960 is correct, you can read the fault codes yourself. To find out how to do it see:

960 fault code testing12.pdf: (842.77 KiB) Downloaded 134 times

As the check engine light is on there should be a code recorded. If you don't find one it may be that the transmission has recorded a fault code and that could illuminate the check engine light. If you need more help on this post back.

Bill.

Edit. Missed out the location of the OBD unit:

960 diagnostic unit.pdf: (98.97 KiB) Downloaded 181 times

Bill.

osceolazulu · Post by **osceolazulu** » 20 Oct 2009, 11:55

I am truly a novice- is this DTC reader easy to locate-

Post by **billofdurham** » 20 Oct 2009, 12:09

Its location is in the second paragraph of the second attachment.

Bill.

osceolazulu · Post by **osceolazulu** » 03 Nov 2009, 14:05

I changed spark plugs in my Volvo ( thanks!)..and it starts well when cold--I've started it a few times and it turns over well after sitting for awhile

Problem1 is if I drive it for 5-15 miles and turn the engine off -it will not restart until I let it cool for 15-20 minutes.

Problem2 is I still can not locate this "code box" (excuse my ignorance) - there are so many gadgets along the drivers-side fender and since I don't know what this box is suppose to look like I'm still clueless. I am going to take some pictures and maybe someone can tell me what to look for....Thanks
Wow! after looking at these pics my engine seems pretty dirty

Post by **billofdurham** » 04 Nov 2009, 12:49

Wow! after looking at these pics my engine seems pretty dirty

Let's get it running properly then you can clean it.

The diagnostic box is mounted in front of the left strut tower and looks like this:

: Photo0007.jpg (23.87 KiB) Viewed 1233 times

The top cover lifts up to expose 6 holes for the test lead.

Bill.

osceolazulu · Post by **osceolazulu** » 04 Nov 2009, 13:18

Thanks! in the last 2 pics (in attachment) is this the box? and where can i obtain the tool for pulling these codes?

Post by **billofdurham** » 04 Nov 2009, 15:30

It certainly looks like it. The 'tool' is attached to the box. It is a fly lead that you insert into the appropriate hole in the box - #2 for the fuel system and #6 for the ignition. The instructions are in the attachment in my earlier post.

Bill.

osceolazulu · Post by **osceolazulu** » 05 Nov 2009, 14:26

Thanks again!! billofdurham..I located and open box and plugged lead into #2 & #6..but ...do I hold the activation buton down until I get 3 (3digit) readings ? or press it 3 times to get the 3 number code?