C70 Running fine then won't start

[thetimster]

Last week I bought my first Volvo, a 2004 C70 with 65,000 miles. I've driven it 2-3 times since I bought it driving about 1,000 miles (I drove it home from S. Florida). I've used this forum as a place to research different problems that my Volvo might have as I have never owned one before. I saw all the posts about cars not starting. Hmmmmm.

My wife took the car to the store and when she tried to start the car to come home the car would not start. The car turns over strongly so it is not battery. I've read the forum and settled on the most likely problem either being the fuel pump relay or the satellite ignition ring antenna. I know it could be other things but I thought these two would be the first place to start.

I decided to start with the fuel pump relay first. I removed the fuel pump relay from the fuse box and in its place I used a jumper wire that I made (photo attached). This was a 14 guage wire with male crimps on each end. I had read that in order to jump the relay like this the wires had to be in the 14 and 87 position as shown on the Volvo Fuel Pump Relay. I did this and the car would not start. I then placed the wire ends on the other 2 poles. The car did not start. I then placed the wires back on the 14 and 87 positions and the car started right up. I let it run for a minute then I turned off the car. I then proceeded to start and stop the car 3-4 times to make sure it would start each time.

This afternoon, two days later, the car will not start. The jumper wire is in the same place, nothing was changed to the car. The engine still turns over strong but the engine will not start. What? Is it still the fuel pump relay even though the jumper does not work today? Why would the jump stop working? I've ordered a new fuel pump relay from IPD and I don't know if I should use it or not. I don't want to needlessly replace a part worth $50.

I'd be very grateful for any help. Any ideas?

[draser]

Try removing the jumper and put it back in and see if it works. Also I'd check the back of the relay socket for loose connections.

[Ozark Lee]

It could also be that the fuel pump itself is dying. At the end of their life they can get a bit intermittent. I have made a couple of them run for one final time to get the car in the driveway by smacking the bottom of the fuel tank with a hammer.

The position of the jumper wire in the picture is correct for the bypass procedure.

...Lee

[thetimster]

What is the easiest way to test the fuel pump? I read in another post that if you turn the key to 'on' you can hear the fuel pump if it is working. Where would you listen for the pump? Inside the car or back by the fuel tank outside of car? Would it sound like flowing fluids? Is there a better way to test?

[Ozark Lee]

Thee fuel pump is behind the rear seat on the right hand side (passenger's side in the US) of the car. If makes a buzzing/whirring sound when it is running. If you fold down the rear seat you can usually hear it while seated in the driver's seat. With the jumper wire in it should run constantly but it will run for only a short time - a second or so until the car starts - when the relay is installed.

I am going out on a limb here when I say when you fold down the rear seat since I have never touched a C70. On my S models the seat does fold down and I assume that it does on the C as well.

...Lee

[thetimster]

Thanks, the fuel pump is running, and I would guess it sounds normal. I replaced both the fuel pump relay and the ignition ring and my Volvo is starting and running good 4 days later. Thanks for all your help.

[Pro154]

Thanks for the pic- helped me drain my full tank after my motor went south because of a seized water pump. Note- NEVER use aftermarket water pumps. It only lasted 35,000 miles

[wizechatmgr]

Thanks for the pic- helped me drain my full tank after my motor went south because of a seized water pump. Note- NEVER use aftermarket water pumps. It only lasted 35,000 miles

Which maker? Hepu?