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94 850 Turbo No-spark but turning over

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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rippertele
Posts: 24
Joined: 11 February 2008
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94 850 Turbo No-spark but turning over

Post by rippertele »

Where should I go next? I've replaced the Cam Sensor and nothing changed. I was doing 65 mph of the HWY and the engine just died! My wires, distributor, and rotor apear to be fine. I have voltage running to my coil and from the coil to the distributor but still no spark. Could it be the ecm? Relay? I have pressure in the fuel rail and I hear the pump priming......HELP!

Ozark Lee
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Post by Ozark Lee »

I have voltage running to my coil and from the coil to the distributor but still no spark.
Explain that a bit more. When you say you have voltage from the coil to the distributor - How much voltage and does it pulsate?

You should be able to (it might shock the crap out of you but it is non lethal) hold the coil wire near the block, 1/8" or so, and it should jump a big arc as you crank the motor.

If you have battery voltage there your coil shorted out.

...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

lewismug
Posts: 147
Joined: 2 February 2008
Year and Model: 1999 S70
Location: Sarah, Mississippi

Post by lewismug »

The first thought I had was the timing belt.
'99 S70 270k miles--Stock

'00 Audi A4 Quattro 172k miles--Stock

rippertele
Posts: 24
Joined: 11 February 2008
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Post by rippertele »

I just used a volt meter and placed the ground on the engine block and the positive to the red cable on the coil. Then I went from the inside of the cap from the coil and found current too. I found the meter registered but I didn't note the actual voltage. I was just looking for current.

Well, I found NO arc when I did what you suggested but maybe the battery does not have a full charge on it as I've attempted to crank it now for days.

rippertele
Posts: 24
Joined: 11 February 2008
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Post by rippertele »

Well, the cam was spinning when I had the sensor off so I think that tells me the belt is on, right?

Ozark Lee
MVS Moderator
Posts: 14798
Joined: 7 September 2006
Year and Model: Many Volvos
Location: USA Midwest
Has thanked: 4 times
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Post by Ozark Lee »

Well, the cam was spinning when I had the sensor off so I think that tells me the belt is on, right?
Yes. If it wasn't, the other noises (the pistons crashing into the valves) would have alerted you.


You can use an ohmmeter to check the coil. Check between the primary terminals (terminal 15 and terminal 1). You should get very low resistance, the spec is 0.5 Ohm to 1.5 Ohm.

Next check between terminal 15 and the High Tension lead. It should measure 8,000 to 9,000 Ohms.

...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

Journeyman
Posts: 30
Joined: 19 March 2008
Year and Model:
Location:

Post by Journeyman »

Did you check for codes? I'm assuming the cam sensor replacement was a reaction to a code, but were there any others? Did the car die before or after the cam sensor replacement?

Volgrrr
Posts: 246
Joined: 13 September 2006
Year and Model: '95 T5 wagon
Location: Near Ararat, Victoria, Australia

Post by Volgrrr »

lewismug wrote:The first thought I had was the timing belt.
I'm sure if this were the case rippertele would have heard some rather expensive noises when the engine died - i.e. you can't confuse the sound of an engine bashing itself to pieces.
There are only two types of car owners - those who own Volvos and those who wish they did.

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