My 1992 940 GL will not start- new member!

JCosta · Post by **JCosta** » 13 Sep 2011, 13:47

After two months of waiting (lost title) I finally picked up my new 1992 Volvo 940 GL. This was going to be my sons first car but he was starting school and I couldn’t wait that long... so he got the 95 850 wagon. I decided to keep the car because it was a one owner car, in great physical condition, always garage kept, serviced by Volvo since it as born and cheep... $650!
The problem was that it sat in the garage for two years and now has "I've been sitting for two years" problems.

The previous owner stated that when he parked it in the garage two years ago it was running fine but now it doesn’t go into gear. This was a known problem to me. It started up and ran fine when I first looked at it two months ago. Now I have more issues that will need to be addressed... here is where I need HELP!

Now I can't get it started

I pulled plug #1 no spark and it was all carboned up. Pulled plug #2 and the wire came out of the socket... oops! I figured stop here and go get some parts...

Here is my list of parts purchased to date...
New wires and plugs
Rotor and cap
Ignition coil (funny looking thing... not the round one)
Fuel Filter (tank was very close to empty)
Oil and filter
Transmission oil and filter

I did check the codes and all I got was 111 in both socket 2 and 6. I'm looking for any words of wisdom on anything else I should be looking at or checking?

Your input is always welcome!
John

Post by **phils94850** » 14 Sep 2011, 15:23

welcome to MVS !! im a little lost on your problems, so.. your not getting any spark is the problem right now correct ?

When you say it wont go into gear you mean it wont shift out of park ?

JCosta · Post by **JCosta** » 14 Sep 2011, 21:22

Thanks for the welcome!
Yes I'm not getting any spark at this time. I grounded plug #1 to the engine and turned the engine over... nothing.
I replaced the wires and plugs... still no spark.
I replaced the Fuel Filter... just because.
I purchased a new rotor, cap and Ignition coil (funny looking thing... not the round one) I will install it tomorrow.

I was wondering if there is anything else i should be looking into.

My second problem is the transmission. When I first looked at the car the engine started but when i put it into drive nothing happens. The transmission doesn’t appear to go into gear. The previous owner told me that when it was taken off the road two years ago it was working fine. I was going to start by changing the transmission fluid and filter and checking the linkage... any ideas on that?

Post by **billofdurham** » 16 Sep 2011, 13:26

I was going to suggest the ignition power stage amplifier but the funny looking coil indicates that it is the Regina system and the amplifier is built into the coil so changing the coil may solve the problem.

As for the transmission, it is unlikely that the linkage would alter itself whilst standing. Changing the fluid won't hurt.

Bill.

JCosta · Post by **JCosta** » 17 Sep 2011, 18:18

Bill: Thanks for the comment

Update: I drained the tank and added fresh gas... what a pain in the butt. Installed new cap and rotor, wires, plugs, Ignition coil. I crossed my finger and turned the key... still will NOT start! I pulled plug #1 to check for spark and got nothing, same for plug #2.
Is there a way to check to see if the coil is getting power? I cleaned the contacts on the base that the Ignition coil sits in. Is it possible that the base is bad...? I don’t know what it’s called. What's left to check in a not spark situation?

Extremely frustrated... but optimistic!
John

TWR1980 · Post by **TWR1980** » 17 Sep 2011, 18:27

Hi John,

It seems we are looking at the same issues. No spark here either. I just found this useful list of tests to perform when you aren't getting a spark...and yes it tells you how to test the coil for power. I am interested to see what you find, I hope we have the same problem...Good luck.

Update: sweet looking 940. reminds me of mine (940 wagon black) without the "junk in the trunk"

JCosta · Post by **JCosta** » 18 Sep 2011, 14:26

I disconnected the crank position sensor and tested the resistance between 1 and 2... it was 0 ohms.
I removed it and this is what I found:

The tip looked corroded.

The shield was broken or chaffed in a couple places.

I have a good feeling that this was my problem... I hope!
I'll post an update as soon as I replace it.

John

Update: Parts on order!

Post by **phils94850** » 21 Sep 2011, 03:46

did you get it figured out ??

JCosta · Post by **JCosta** » 21 Sep 2011, 14:59

Parts just came in today. I will be installing them when I get home from work... I'll post my results.

Keeping my fingers crossed!

JCosta · Post by **JCosta** » 21 Sep 2011, 17:41

When I got home from work today my crank position sensor had arrived from FCP Groton. I didnt even bother to change my cloths, I grabbed my 10mm wrench and installed the new sensor.

New sensor next to the old one:

Old sensor 0 ohms
New sensor 184 ohms

I installed the new sensor, said a prayer and turned the key... she started first try and sounded great!

I can't thank everyone enough for their help...