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No spark after distributor

Help, Advice and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's P80 platform cars -- Volvo's 1990s "bread and butter" cars -- powered by the ubiquitous and durable Volvo inline 5-cylinder engine.

1992 - 1997 850, including 850 R, 850 T-5R, 850 T-5, 850 GLT
1997 - 2000 S70, S70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70, V70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70-XC
1997 - 2004 C70

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Rubenrodri126
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Year and Model: 1997 850 t5
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No spark after distributor

Post by Rubenrodri126 »

Ok i replaced the head gasket on my volvo 850 1997 i put all together but for some reason i dont have spark after the distribuitor i mean i took the cable of the coil of and i have spark but nothing at the spark plugs i have fuel compresion and its on timing before i took the car apart it was running perfect any suggestions??? Please help

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850 LPT
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Post by 850 LPT »

Are you using new parts for the ignition such as cap, rotor, cables and plugs?

The reason I am asking is that if you don't there may be something wrong with the old cap, since you you have spark going to it but not from it. So the cap would be my first suspicion.

I hope you get it running soon,

Dirk
98' S70, base, 5-speed manual, pewter/ tan, 145k miles
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Ozark Lee
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Post by Ozark Lee »

If you are sure that you don't have spark at the plugs but do have spark at the coil it pretty much has to be the distributor cap and/or the rotor.

If you removed the wires from the distributor make real sure that they are reinstalled in the proper order. Both Haynes and the factory service manual have them labeled incorrectly.

The correct order is here:

Volvo 5 cylinder engine firing order

...Lee
'94 850 N/A 5 speed
'96 Platinum Edition Turbo
Previous:
1999 V70XC - Nautic Blue - Totaled while parked.
1999 V70XC - RIP - Wrecked Parts Car.
1998 S70 T5
1996 850 N/A
1989 740 GLT
1986 740 GLT
1972 142 Grand Luxe

Rubenrodri126
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Post by Rubenrodri126 »

Yes cap rotor wires and plugs i gap all the spark plugs to 25 wires are the same cap and rotors i took all apart again and inspect them all look perfect no cracks or nothing no crack wires

Rubenrodri126
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Post by Rubenrodri126 »

When I took everything apart I number the cap and the wires in order so I don't get it mixed I put them on the order that I had I check the photo that you post and both are the same rotor it's in good condition and also in good condition I bought it like 2 months ago

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erikv11
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Post by erikv11 »

Check the circular, black metal brackets on the back end of the cams, there is one under the cap and there is a different one under the cam sensor. It is possible to put them on wrong and then you can get no spark.

It's also possible for the electronics inside the rotor to go bad, then you get no spark through the rotor. But sounds more likely related to the engine work, check those brackets.
'95 854 T-5R, Motronic 4.4, 185k
'98 V70, T5 tune-injectors-turbo, LPT engine, 304k, daily driver
'06 S60 R, 197k
'07 XC70, black, 205k
'07 XC70, willow green, 212k
'99 Camry V6 :shock: 153k
gone: '96 NA 850 210k, '98 NA V70 182k, '98 S70 NA 225k, '96 855 NA 169k

Rubenrodri126
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Post by Rubenrodri126 »

Okay I'll try to check that apt I got the car to run a few seconds dad died and now I don't have any spark even at the coil or nowhere

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erikv11
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Post by erikv11 »

No spark from the coil is one possible result of a bad cam sensor. Could be the plate, could be something else. Worth also checking the cam and crank sensor connections.
'95 854 T-5R, Motronic 4.4, 185k
'98 V70, T5 tune-injectors-turbo, LPT engine, 304k, daily driver
'06 S60 R, 197k
'07 XC70, black, 205k
'07 XC70, willow green, 212k
'99 Camry V6 :shock: 153k
gone: '96 NA 850 210k, '98 NA V70 182k, '98 S70 NA 225k, '96 855 NA 169k

Rubenrodri126
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Post by Rubenrodri126 »

Ok so i check the little plate that goes at the cam shaft and one of the tapbs at the back its bend so it fits any way at the cam but also i saw that the camshaft sensor locks licke its mising something but i am not sure if its that way
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jimmy57
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Post by jimmy57 »

The sensor wheel you are holding has been put on wrong. There should be two tabs sticking up. The tab to the right has been flattened by it being on top of the cam end instead of down in the slot ground on cam end. You might be able to pry that tab up and fit it correctly.

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