My 1993 940 Stalled on Freeway, Won't Re-start

[adki110]

The breaf "gurgling " noise was the fuel pump, so it might be ok. Do you have spark at one of the spark plug wires when the engine is cranked, caution if you get hit by the spark it can hurt. Does the engine crank at normal speed or faster than normal? This would be with a healthy battery, if normal speed then the crank/cam timing is likely ok. Good luck

[Big Bruce]

The breaf "gurgling " noise was the fuel pump, so it might be ok. Do you have spark at one of the spark plug wires when the engine is cranked, caution if you get hit by the spark it can hurt. Does the engine crank at normal speed or faster than normal? This would be with a healthy battery, if normal speed then the crank/cam timing is likely ok. Good luck

With someone turning the key, I removed one of the spark plug hoods, and looked inside, but saw no spark. The cranking sounded about normal speed to me.

[adki110]

Stick a screwdriver into the boot and using the handle hold the shaft next to a grounded metal part of the engine, the spark ( nice healtly blue spark) should easily jump a 1/4 inch gap.

[Big Bruce]

On a Saturday, at 1PM, there was extremely light traffic, and I could have traveled at 90 MPH had I wished to. People have a perception that Los Angeles area traffic is in a state of grid-locked bumper-to-bumper congestion 24/7, which is very far removed from reality.

I live in LA, too. While it is not 24/7 gridlock (yet), the traffic is bad and getting worse. Too many drivers, too many bad drivers, distracted drivers, and uninsured drivers. "Rush hour" is actually several hours long. Have you been on the 405 North starting at around 3pm on a weekday? It is not the end of society as we have known it, but you can glimpse it from there.

I agree with you to the extent that "peak hour" traffic seems to get worse over time. However, there are random times, usually between 10AM and 2PM when the traffic flow is smooth and quick. Last Saturday around 1-2 PM the traffic inbound on the 170, Hollywood Freeway, was a breeze. Where I usually encounter congestion, is usually around the Sunset Blvd. exit. Southbound, from there, the conditions are typically slow, with traffic only moving at 25-35 MPH. But coming down from North Hollywood, into Universal City, no problem at all.

[Big Bruce]

Update: I was able to get a mobile mechanic to come out. His initial diagnosis was inadequate pressure in the fuel system, to get the fuel injectors to open up. In researching Volvo 940 replacement fuel pumps, we learned that TWO pumps are involved, a low pressure pump at the tank, and a high pressure pump in the line about midpoint between the tank and the engine compartment. Got a correct new pump and connected it, and now hear a definite whirring sound when the key is turned "on", but engine would still not start. The spark plugs are not getting a consistent spark, so hypothesis is that possibly, coasting in "Drive" for 1/4 mile following the pump's failure, may have resulted in damage to cap and rotor. The mechanic says that in his 40 years of experience, there are three cars that you never want to coast in any setting other than "NEUTRAL": Mercedes, BMW, and Volvo. So we're waiting until mid-day tomorrow, for O'Reilly's Parts to get a correct rotor to the store. The ONE correct rotor they did have, was BUM and did not test out properly. Will update further as things progress.

[simonbyard]

On a Saturday, at 1PM, there was extremely light traffic, and I could have traveled at 90 MPH had I wished to. People have a perception that Los Angeles area traffic is in a state of grid-locked bumper-to-bumper congestion 24/7, which is very far removed from reality.

And I thought everyone in America still plodded around at 55! Respect Thought it was just us nutters in UK that never drove under the speed limit.

[Big Bruce]

On a Saturday, at 1PM, there was extremely light traffic, and I could have traveled at 90 MPH had I wished to. People have a perception that Los Angeles area traffic is in a state of grid-locked bumper-to-bumper congestion 24/7, which is very far removed from reality.

And I thought everyone in America still plodded around at 55! Respect Thought it was just us nutters in UK that never drove under the speed limit.

Both my parents were from Europe, and my father was an auto and motorcycle race driver in the 1920's, so he taught me how to dvive fast on dry or wet road surfaces, while still remaining in control of the car. The abominable 55 was repealed by Congress in the early 90's, and the bill was signed by Bill Clinton, so we have had over 15 years to get used to 65 MPH again.

[simonbyard]

Thank god the 55 was abolished. never understood why, with some brilliant long straight roads, and some big distances to travel, you were restricted to 55. Good on Clinton - always liked him, shame about how he liked to smoke his cigars, haha! Looks like we will be having the 70 limit increased here in the UK soon as well, as government is proposing an 80 limit. Makes sense, as car tech has moved on since teh limit was imposed. Even people living here don't realise, there used to be no limits on our motorways, until some one was clocked caught testing a Cobra flat out on the M1 (i think at well over 160), and then some hysterical MP's decided we needed a 70 limit - bloody stupid. The law is stupid anyway, as u can get caught doing 50 in a residential area, and get 3 points and a fine, yet if u are caught on a largely empty motorway, maybe in the early hours, in the dry, on a perfectly straight bit, in new car, with perfect tyres etc, you will get a driving ban for going over 100 - which is more dangerous? driving like an idiot in a residential area, where you could have kids playing, or on an empty motorway? Enough ranting, sorry!
On a personal note, I did nearly have a "big off" in the wet at 130 on the M4 - arse end started to overtake the front, in my old S-Type, but luckily the car had an awesome stability system, and the computers saved my life. No more stupid speeds in the wet for me!!!!! Not sure how good the system is in the Volvo (and I have no intention of finding out) but I know the Jag system is pretty special. The only down side on the Jag, is the black box which the police can access (with a court order) to prove speed, steering angle, brakes, g-force and orientation, wheel spin, and even number of passengers (jag uses pressure sensors and ultrasonics to determine size, weight, and height of passengers, for deploying air bags). It works much like an aircraft (only less complex) and can really drop u in the brown stuff if you cause an accident. Don't know if any other manufacturers do this.

[Big Bruce]

Well, here it's been 3 weeks with my car not driveable. I've spent nearly $400 with a mobile mechanic who has confirmed the timing belt is fine, has replaced the high-pressure in-line fuel pump and fuel filter, distributor cap, rotor, and ignition cables, but still it's behaving exactly the same. When turning the key, the engine cranks, occasionally seems to catch, but doesn't start, just goes back to cranking. Does anyone have any further ideas as to what might be the cause of this?

[precopster]

You may want to PM moderator billofdurham who knows the 7 and 9 series really well. Equally so jimmy57 .

From my own experience with diagnosing no-start situations go back to the circuitry that gives spark. Is there a strong spark present?