740 Wagon 1992 Won't Start

JMags721 · Post by **JMags721** » 11 Mar 2009, 14:49

Ok, has been running well, but wouldn't start this morning, has started fairly hard a couple of times in the past week or so. It seems like the engine is cranking but won't fire. Just replaced all the spark plugs, the ignition wires and the distributor all of which did seemingly NOTHING. I talked to one of the service guys at a local dealership and he said it is probably one of the following: the air mass meter, the fuel pump relay or the fuel sender wires. Any suggestions from anyone out there? I want to get some more ideas before I take it in to a shop...also if anyone knows of a good Volvo repair shop (not the dealerships-can't afford $90+/hr labor on a 17 year old car!) in the capital district of NY I would LOVE to some recommendations on where to take my car!

Post by **billofdurham** » 11 Mar 2009, 16:43

Welcome to Matthew's Volvo Site.

I can't help with a repair shop because we have a large expanse of water between us.

Your car is fitted with an On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) unit in the engine compartment. This enables you to check if any fault codes have been set. Certainly a faulty air mass meter would set a code.

The fuel pump relay would stop the fuel pump(s) working if it were faulty. When you switch on the ignition you should hear a buzzing sound from the fuel pump for a couple of seconds as it pressures up the system. If you don't hear this sound then it is possible that the relay is defective or the fuel pump is gone. However, your car has two fuel pumps, one in-tank and the main and either could be causing trouble.

Problems with both pumps are well covered in the RWD section. Do a search for "fuel pumps" with the author Kmaniac in California USA. Chris has a good write up on his problems.

The fuel sender wires may cause trouble but I haven't seen a complete failure of them. You can check them by accessing the top of the in-tank fuel pump through the inspection hatch in the luggage area of your car and testing for 12v with a meter.

Post back if you need further help.

Bill.

fredbyte · Post by **fredbyte** » 17 Mar 2009, 22:08

Go to www.stepbystepvolvo.com for free guide to no-starts on 740/940s. You may find a fix there. Also check out "Real-Life Volvo Quiz," as it may also apply.

JMags721 · Post by **JMags721** » 18 Mar 2009, 07:35

Turned out to be a faulty distributor cap & rotor. All fixed up and back to running great!
Thanks for the input.

Post by **billofdurham** » 18 Mar 2009, 13:42

Thank you for the update.

Bill.