98 V70 Wagon Auto N/A. Engine died suddenly, won't restart.

Spiney · Post by **Spiney** » 17 Oct 2013, 02:05

My wife and I were driving to a function for her company. We pulled off the highway and onto a long, slight uphill grade driveway. My wife says she heard a crack sound, I didn't. But the car suddenly lost power, the engine died, and it wouldn't restart. It turns over, but doesn't even try to start. My gut says fuel pump or fuel related. I checked all fuses and relays. I was dressed up so didn't do much more. I regret not checking for spark.

When I turn the key should I hear the fuel pump whir up?

It was towed to our trusted mechanic. I did notice one strange thing. The weather light was on, on the transmission selector as was the shift up arrow. No matter what button I pushed, it wouldn't go off.

Any ideas. We just put a few thousand on it for vacation and other business. Just a couple hundred in the last week. Had about 1/2 tank of fresh Sunoco gas. Car had 118K miles and has been well maintained.

Thanks, Dave

Post by **jreed** » 17 Oct 2013, 04:58

Sorry to hear about the sudden trouble.
Yes, (at least on my '97 855) you should definitely hear the sound of the fuel pump for a few seconds when you turn the key to Ignition On. If it doesn't turn on, you may have the classic failed fuel pump relay -- a relatively easy fix.
I don't know what to make of the transmission Up arrow or weather light being on.

Post by **rspi** » 17 Oct 2013, 10:56

The tranny light with Winter mode light on points to a bad PNP switch. That would STOP the car from cranking.

Other than that, I would check timing. I'm sure your mechanic will check it out for you. I can hear my fuel pump as well.

Spiney · Post by **Spiney** » 18 Oct 2013, 10:58

Bad news, Timing belt went. My wife did hear a crack! Was replaced at 69,000. So it is about 50k old. Hoping valve train is ok. They are putting it together as I type. I'll update you when I know something.