1994 850 Turbo; crank/no spark/no start... VSS issue?

jjc1 · Post by **jjc1** » 17 Jan 2016, 17:05

Cross-posted this on the Facebook site.

1994 Volvo 850 Turbo with about 188K on it. Having a crank/no spark issue. Coil tests good and was also swapped with a known good coil. New cap/rotor and crank and cam sensors were installed (needed to be done anyway) but no success. I swapped the ECU with another but no joy.

I know my vehicle speed sensor is flaky... although I don't get a code for a VSS, I am getting them for the S1/S1 solenoids (leading me to want to change the VSS anyway)... Would a faulty/failed VSS cause a no-spark issue?

Volvowifey · Post by **Volvowifey** » 07 Apr 2019, 14:52

Having simular problem with a 1995 Turbo ... Did same changed out everything even checked out timing belt still no spark to coil... Car ran fine then while driving one day up & died wants to run just no spark to start the car??? Anyone with a chance of a rainbow at the end of these clouds..

Kacytrapp · Post by **Kacytrapp** » 07 Apr 2019, 21:00

What is VSS? I'm asking not to be a smartass, I genuinely dont know. I'm having a very similar issue with my 94 850 turbo, and I'm stranded because of it. Someone told me it was a starter issue, bendix issue or something.. so in the pouring rain, with only a micro vicegrip pliers, took out the starter, took it to napa, they said it tested fine.. I put it back in, it's still not working. I'm in the middle of moving, I have everything I own in and on my 850, 340 miles from my new home, Cold soaked and exhausted. PLEASE SOMEONE HELP ME!!!!

Sommerfeldt · Post by **Sommerfeldt** » 08 Apr 2019, 01:25

Kacytrapp wrote: ↑07 Apr 2019, 21:00 What is VSS? I'm asking not to be a smartass, I genuinely dont know. I'm having a very similar issue with my 94 850 turbo, and I'm stranded because of it. Someone told me it was a starter issue, bendix issue or something.. so in the pouring rain, with only a micro vicegrip pliers, took out the starter, took it to napa, they said it tested fine.. I put it back in, it's still not working. I'm in the middle of moving, I have everything I own in and on my 850, 340 miles from my new home, Cold soaked and exhausted. PLEASE SOMEONE HELP ME!!!!

Vehicle speed sensor - OP mentions it in the text as well.

Though I thought that a faulty VSS would cause the car not to go in gear, but it would start...?

- S

Kacytrapp · Post by **Kacytrapp** » 08 Apr 2019, 21:52

It cut out while I was driving, never to start again. I was going about 45-50 when I noticed the power steering was gone, then I realized the car was dead. I coasted to a stop, and then I tried to start it, it would whine, and not crank over. No spark, or attempt at firing. I have checked the wiring, to the best of my ability, I dont see anything wrong. Then again, my knowledge is rather limited. Any suggestions? The sheriff just tagged me for tow while I'm writing this. When it rains it pours right?

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 09 Apr 2019, 05:52

Are you absolutely sure it is a no spark issue and not a fuel problem. The VSS on a '94 is on the transaxle and it will mess up shift points and lead to no speedometer but it has nothing to do with starting the car.

I would back up and make sure you have fuel pressure at the rail and also check to see if you have power at the fuel injectors. Low or no fuel pressure points to the fuel pump or the fuel pump relay and no voltage at the injectors usually points to the master fuel system relay. A tell on the master fuel system relay being bad or having bad wiring at the connector is that the IAC valve doesn't do its normal buzzing sound when the key is in position II.

...Lee

Volvowifey · Post by **Volvowifey** » 13 Apr 2019, 10:29

Not fuel for our 95 turbo it's no spark at all we get the sounds of start up but no spark to start also have plenty of fuel going to it.. Any more ideas on a no spark isue, would love to see the Volvo 95 turbo running..we have a 95 non-turbo standard that runs fine ..want to keep our Volvo family of cars going..

Post by **abscate** » 13 Apr 2019, 10:34

You start at a good battery

Whe was the Last time coil cap rotor and plug wires were changed ?

These ignition parts are all failure items which will kill spark

Volvowifey · Post by **Volvowifey** » 13 Apr 2019, 10:47

I just went through and replaced them from a running vehicle I have no spark at the ignition coil at all

Post by **abscate** » 13 Apr 2019, 11:57

Check for 12 volts at coil from main relay.

From there you need diagnostic equipment or do more parts swapping

Crank sensor

Cam sensor