1992 Volvo 245 Ran Fine, Died, Won't Start Again, No Error Codes

Build · Post by **Build** » 01 Mar 2025, 17:02

My car has had regular maintenance since new. A week ago it was driving along and instantly died. After 3-5 minutes it started and has been fine until now when the same exact thing happened.

There are no error codes.

Less than 10k miles ago it had new spark plugs, distributor cap, plug wires, new Bosch fuel injectors, crank position sensor, fuel filters, air filter. The fuses and fuse box were cleaned, connectors to amm, CPS, etc have been cleaned.

I hear the fuel pump turn on when I turn the key. The battery is a year old and fully charged. The engine cranks over fine, but never starts.

I'm out of ideas and my car is miles from home, parked on a street. Any thoughts of what to check?

Thanks!

Post by **volvolugnut** » 01 Mar 2025, 18:22

Fuel, compression and spark at the proper time.
Do you have good fuel pressure MEASURED at the fuel rail of the engine?
Do you have compression on all cylinders? This proves valves are operating and the cylinders will hold pressure. A broken timing belt will not allow compression at the right time.
Test for spark with a timing light to assure spark at the right time.
If any of these fail, you have a clue what to check.
If you have done all these, report back.
volvolugnut

Build · Post by **Build** » 01 Mar 2025, 19:28

Volvolugnut,

After the car sat for awhile, it started and ran 100% normal.

What could be effecting this? Could a defective thermostat cause it to instantly die and not restart?

Thanks

Post by **volvolugnut** » 02 Mar 2025, 08:21

I doubt the thermostat would cause this problem.
You may have a temperature related problem if it dies when warm and restarts when cooled. This might be electrical and hard to locate.
volvolugnut

Build · Post by **Build** » 02 Mar 2025, 08:57

Volvolugnut,

It could be something heat related. The first time it happened, it was cold outside, and died after 10 minutes, but restarted after 3-5 minutes.

Yesterday it was warmer, it died after 20 minutes and took over an hour to restart.

I get no error codes now or when it wouldn't start yesterday. The first time it failed last week, it gave me a 231 error code and a check engine light. So during the week I cleaned every electric connector, every fuse, the amm, the throttle body, flame trap, idle control valve, battery terminals. It ran great afterwards until yesterday when it died and wouldn't restart.

Build · Post by **Build** » 02 Mar 2025, 10:08

Also, after the first time it died while driving, during the past week, the car started instantly every day, several times a day, and I let it run for over an hour, once I let it run for two hours, sitting at home. It was warm every time. It never died, always run smoothly and perfectly as it always has these 24 years I've owned it.

Yesterday when I drove it for 15-20 minutes or so the first time since it failed, and it was fine, but on the second trip of 20 minutes, it died miles from home and wouldn't restart for over an hour. It's still out there because I didn't think it would make the trip back until I fixed what's causing the problem.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Post by **volvolugnut** » 02 Mar 2025, 13:51

Carry a timing light with you for when it stops and won't start. See if you have ignition pulse on each plug wire when it is not starting. This will give a clue how to proceed.
You can also rig a pressure gauge into the fuel supply line and leave the gauge under the hood while driving. If it stalls, check the fuel pressure. This takes an assortment of special fuel fittings to tee in the fuel pressure gauge.
volvolugnut

Build · Post by **Build** » 02 Mar 2025, 18:31

Good ideas Volvolugnut,

Tomorrow I'll dig deeper into it as I've had it towed home now. It seems strange for it to be like this and have no error codes.

What are your thoughts about a failing ignition amplifier?

Thanks!

Build · Post by **Build** » 03 Mar 2025, 16:17

I have no spark.

What are your thoughts on a faulty ignition amplifier?

What's your thoughts on testing it?
Thanks

Post by **volvolugnut** » 03 Mar 2025, 19:12

Yup. Could be the ignition amplifier. Try to find a used one and swap.
Maybe cool it down with ice pack and see if it then works for a while.
Does this have the ignition module box with vacuum line at right front like the earlier 240s? I have had one fail. If so, find a number and I may have a used one.
volvolugnut