Crank no start after changing out PCV and starter

CFL850T · Post by **CFL850T** » 14 Nov 2023, 10:39

Have a 1994 volvo 850 turbo. This weekend I completed a PCV job and also took the opportunity to swap out the 30 y/o starter with a newer OEM one I got from a yard while the intake manifold was off. Car is not starting now. Cranks but doesn't start, battery is OK, and I tried putting the old starter back on as well. Still no luck.

Any ideas?

Video for reference:

CFL850T · Post by **CFL850T** » 15 Nov 2023, 07:49

UPDATE: I pulled the plugs, they smelled like fuel and FP was OK at the rail. I put about a cap full of oil in each cylinder since to help with the compression which had been significantly lowered from all of the fuel from no-starts. car sounded like it wanted to start but did not. I'm going to check spark later today. I had an extra bosch ignition coil that I tried with no luck so maybe it could be the distributor cap.

jmartin919 · Post by **jmartin919** » 15 Nov 2023, 09:49

How old are the plugs?

Post by **scot850** » 15 Nov 2023, 10:46

Have you had a really good look around to make sure you have not left anything disconnected?

The old saying of if it was working before you took it apart, then not when you reassemble, you have introduced the issue.

Neil.

CFL850T · Post by **CFL850T** » 15 Nov 2023, 11:31

Plugs are on the newer side but they don't look particularly great.Fouled at the bottom. I am using autolite coppers. IAC and TPS are plugged in, also checked on Cam position sensor which looked plugged in as well. Tested spark and that was solid on all 5 cylinders. I have fuel, and spark so I am a little confused. I took the intake manifold off along with the throttle body and EGR when I did the PCV job. I also replaced the starter. Anything in that you guys think could have been undone that would cause this? I did hear a pop noise one of the times I tried starting it which was not very reassuring, hoping that it didn't jump timing.

jmartin919 · Post by **jmartin919** » 15 Nov 2023, 11:35

Arcing coil is another possibly. I'm throwing out things that caused no-starts on my '93 NA 850.

CFL850T · Post by **CFL850T** » 15 Nov 2023, 15:52

Tried another ignition coil I had as well as two other crank and camshaft sensors since they were easy to swap and I also had spares of those. Nothing improved. Sounded like it wanted to start once or twice. Any chance that It might be an issue with the way I installed the starter?

Post by **scot850** » 15 Nov 2023, 16:04

Unless the starter is bad, then I'm not sure it is bad. There is a small wire connector on the starter. Check it is on. If the starter is turning over then the starter is unlikely the issue, unless the bendix is not releasing, but you would hear that for sure!

Make sure the cam sensor and crank sensor cables are routed well away from the distributor cap. If they are too close, they kill the cam/crank sensor signals.

Neil.

CFL850T · Post by **CFL850T** » 16 Nov 2023, 06:58

Attempted to start with starter fluid since I was starting to second guess whether or not fuel was the issue. Might have gotten a little carried away.... Engine backfired. I heard a popping sound a few days ago when I was trying to start so the only other thing I can think to do is pull the timing cover and make sure that the belt didn't jump after cranking it as many times as I have recently.

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 16 Nov 2023, 12:30

Like Neil said, if it ran before you took it apart,
focus on everything that you touched doing it.
Going down other rabbit holes might make it worse...

I agree that you’ll probably find something unplugged
or disconnected from your original work.

Good Luck!