850 ROUGH START then it dies after a few seconds

cmarcoux · Post by **cmarcoux** » 02 Jan 2012, 04:39

I washed my car last night and kept the radio on for like one half hour but it tries to turn over but is not quite doing it. Was able to get the car to start it shakes like crazy then dies after like 4 or 7 seconds no idea what to make out this. Update: I just had a man try to jump start my car just to make sure it was not a battery problem. It does not seem to be. Also made sure the fuel injectors had not come loose don't seem to have. idle control plug plugged in...... Sounded like it was going to start but then nothing checked oil and the oil is gone and I did a oil change 2000 miles ago!!!!

Thanks Chris

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 02 Jan 2012, 05:56

Your symptoms are typical of moisture in the distributor cap which would make sense after a car wash if that was the only thing that you did prior to the problem.

...Lee

cmarcoux · Post by **cmarcoux** » 02 Jan 2012, 06:23

Is there anything I can do or do I wait for the sun to dry it out?

cmarcoux · Post by **cmarcoux** » 02 Jan 2012, 09:17

Took the distributor cap off and cleaned still not starting. So I check oil after starting the car failed and blue or maybe white smoke coming from the dip stick also coming from oil cap. I have been meaning to do the valve stem seals for quit a while but have not found the time but I am having a hard time believing the 2 are related?? I need more ideas!

Thanks

cmarcoux · Post by **cmarcoux** » 03 Jan 2012, 16:17

I had my car towed to my house ($49.00 tow charge for 15 miles) told the problem to my tow driver and he said it sounded like a fuel pump had gone is there a way to test a fuel pump?

cmarcoux · Post by **cmarcoux** » 24 Jan 2012, 16:13

Well Lee's idea was useless. replaced spark plugs distributor and distributor cap and the problem is still there weeks later. The car turns but will not start. I need more ideas because I need a car!!!!!! Is it possible the starter went or the coil is bad?? Is there something else that causes sudden death??????????

Post by **jblackburn** » 24 Jan 2012, 16:25

What year 850 is this?

You need to investigate further. There are just too many "could bes" in this equation. The starter, however, is fine.

You need to find out if it's a spark, air delivery, or fuel delivery problem. Here's some simple troubleshooting steps.

Start with spark. Remove a spark plug from the engine and ground it to the top of the head and have someone crank it over. Pretty obvious what you're looking for here.

If that's good, check for fuel pressure. Turn your key to position ii once or twice, let it sit there a few seconds, and turn it back off. Go find the blue cap at the end of the fuel injector rail (it's near the throttle linkage). Remove the cap and press the valve inside with a rag in your hand. If you get a nice spurt of fuel, the fuel pump is working - move on.

Finally, air delivery. Usually a mass airflow sensor is a problem here. Unplug the connector on the top of the sensor on the tube coming from the air filter box to the engine and try cranking it.

Those are some simple tests to get you started. Let us know what you find and we can tell you where to go from there.

cmarcoux · Post by **cmarcoux** » 24 Jan 2012, 16:34

It is a 1995 glt 850 died one day and I have been trying for weeks to get it started I'm buying a new car because I can't wait any longer but I love this car and am going to get it back on the road.

Post by **jblackburn** » 24 Jan 2012, 16:40

Perfect. Go talk to it.

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/read-codes-volvo-850

Read A2 & A6 and see if it knows what's up.

Shish-kabober · Post by **Shish-kabober** » 25 Jan 2012, 20:52

Hi Chris,

See my post on this problem:
Re: 95 850 won't start...cranks w/ spark but no fuel
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... 76#p226172

The fuel pump was being commanded off for whatever reason after a partial initial priming.
Turning the key on several times before starting allowed full pressure to build at the rail, allowing normal return to idle, then kill.

Scott