1999 Volvo V70 (base) Quit for No Reason?

[wizechatmgr]

I suggest pulling a spark plug & coil out, hooking up a jumper for ground and trying to crank it, look for a spark. Could still be the immobilizer circuit. If you have someone with VIDA locally, you may find codes set that OBDII won't show. The immobilizer on these cars will allow you to crank it even though it won't let you start it.

Also try opening the rear hatch and cranking it - if it works, you may have the broken wire in the hinge fault.

[E Showell]

Try cranking with accelerator held to floor. A bad Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor can cause serious starting issues. if it starts, replace ECT and thermostat. Careful with the thermostat housing bolts. Those can seize. Spray liberally with PB Blaster before attempting removal.

[tripeldubbel]

Update #3:

I ordered a new immobilizer antenna ring, a new ignition switch, and a new ECT sensor and thermostat. Unfortunately the site I ordered from gave me multiple warnings when ordering the ignition switch to make sure I was ordering for the right VIN model of '99 V70, but they didn't do the same for the immobilizer and I ended up with the wrong one. I'll be returning it and ordering the right one. So I'll let you know if that fixes the issue once the new one comes.

I installed the new ignition switch, but that didn't help, unfortunately. I also tried E Showell's suggestion of cranking it with the accelerator held to the floor, but same result.

Wizechatmgr: I've never tried looking for a spark before. Could you give me a little more insight on how to do this? I know I can take out the coil and plug, but not sure what you mean for hooking up a jumper for ground. Thanks for the help!
I also tried starting it up with the rear hatch open, same result as usual.

Tomorrow I'll install the ECT sensor and thermostat. Even if that isn't the issue, a lot of these parts are around $50/each and considering the car is so old I figure I'm going to have to replace some of this stuff sooner or later.

Thanks again for the help!

[wizechatmgr]

Leave coil hooked up - think it's a 4 or 5 pin connector... Then place a ground wire to the spot circled in blue, and also place one to the outside of the spark plug to ground. When cranking, you should see a bright spark. Don't run one to the X marked location - center electrode or you'll never get a spark.

coil.JPG (26.81 KiB) Viewed 1422 times

plug1.JPG (28.76 KiB) Viewed 1422 times

[tripeldubbel]

Wizechatmgr:
Thank you for the illustration and explanation!
Below are the pictures of how I hooked it up, let me know if that looks right or completely wrong, haha. When I cranked it on two separate times I couldn't see a spark.

Also, when I removed the engine cover I noticed a noticeable amount of oil. Not sure if it's from a bad oil cap seal or something else. I also noticed some build up where I took the spark plug out. Does that look normal for an older car? Or could that be a sign of something worse?

Thanks again!

[wizechatmgr]

Make sure the other end of that wire is clipped to a good ground on the car, such as a metal piece of the head. Then give it a go. If you get no spark, my first thought would be the immobilizer - others with far more experience may know more.

[wizechatmgr]

Looks like small oil leak on top of head, no big deal. Odds are the seal in the oil cap is dying or the PCV needs servicing - wouldn't worry about either at this point.

[abscate]

Yeah , you have grounded your spark plug to the coil ground. That ground has to be attached to the engine block somewhere

[800artfreed]

Any solution?

[abscate]

Old thread alert. We left poor guy waiting for a year