1993 Volvo 960 wagon, won't start...

msamyrox · Post by **msamyrox** » 20 May 2009, 06:16

Hi there...
My Volvo made a loud 'poof' sound when I tried to start it...like a big gust of air being forced out of somewhere...and it wouldn't turn over. I purchased it only 2 months ago!!
Prior to the no start, the a/c blowers lost almost all power with acceleration and check engine light was going on and off. Does anyone have any ideas??
THANKS

Amy

msamyrox · Post by **msamyrox** » 20 May 2009, 10:56

So here's the deal...I spoke with a mechanic that believes it is probably the timing... He told me to check the distributor cap... is it located under the battery on the 960 model as well? I'm a single mom with infant twins...and advice would be GREATLY appreciated!! Thanks so much!

danr960 · Post by **danr960** » 20 May 2009, 11:12

If you have a truly have a 960 model and not 940, you should run from your mechanic, the 960 does not have one. Without knowing the details of your problem it cannot be solved.

More details, past repairs, has the care been maintained, mileage total, that kind of information is what will be needed.

DanR '94 964 343,000 (109,000 on the new engine)

danr960 · Post by **danr960** » 20 May 2009, 11:18

I see now I answered you in another post, try to keep them in the same original posting. This way anything you add later will help others come to an idea.

When you say the car will not start, what does that mean? Doe the starter turn the engine, but the engine does not fire up and run or the engine will not even crank over?

When this all happened, was the start cold as in the first one of the day or was it hot or warm as in it was used in the last hour or two?

Twins and single and your post was in the middle of the night, good luck and get back with some answers.

DanR

Post by **vegasjetskier** » 20 May 2009, 11:24

Look at the back of the engine by the firewall.

Does the engine turn over at all? What exactly is it doing when you try to start it?

Post by **vegasjetskier** » 20 May 2009, 11:27

danr960 wrote:If you have a truly have a 960 model and not 940, you should run from your mechanic, the 960 does not have one. Without knowing the details of your problem it cannot be solved.

More details, past repairs, has the care been maintained, mileage total, that kind of information is what will be needed.

DanR '94 964 343,000 (109,000 on the new engine)

My VADIS is showing at least one engine model that does have a distributor.

Post by **vegasjetskier** » 20 May 2009, 11:43

I've merged the two topics so hopefully this will make some sense.

danr960 · Post by **danr960** » 20 May 2009, 12:53

[/quote] My VADIS is showing at least one engine model that does have a distributor.[/quote]

There is one with a distributor cap but it was not sold in the US.

DanR

msamyrox · Post by **msamyrox** » 21 May 2009, 01:10

This car was accompanied by a record of service that shows the original owner religiously took it in at every scheduled tune up and maintained it, until 100,000+ miles. The car itself is immaculate, and you'd never know it was it's true age. There was one owner in-between the original one and me... and the mileage is now 172,000.
When I tried to start it, it was cold...and the starter did try to do it's thing...but the engine wouldn't turn over. At that point, there was a loud gust of air, similar I guess, to backfire...but not the same. I tried a few times to get it to start... but it just wouldn't, and I didn't want to force the issue and risk making the problem worse.
I checked the manufacturer's sticker, and this car was indeed built in Gothensburg, Sweden. It is a 1993 960 wagon. The manual states that it is equipped with an evaporative control system, crankcase ventilation, and a distributor ignition system... just to name a few of it's features. It does have a troubleshooting guide, and one item listed, the vacuum fittings, hoses, and connections, indicates the hoses and connections to the distributor vacuum unit should be checked...along with the connections to the heater control servo systems and hydraulic brake servo. I'm thinking this may be a good starting point.
Thanks for the input, I do appreciate it... If anyone has additional suggestions, I'd be thrilled to hear them!
And... as far as when I can sleep... it is patchy, and I take power naps when my babies do... We're all doing fine, except for the car needing repairs.
Thanks again!!

Amy

DanR · Post by **DanR** » 21 May 2009, 16:17

I am still a little confused, does the engine still crank over but not start? Or it will not crank over at all?

Also, the only 960's that had a distributor on the engine were 4 cylinders and were only sold outside of North America. If you have a 6 cylinder then you do not have a distributor for ignition.

The only time my car ever made they sound you describe was when the fuel pressure regulator was faulty and allowing fuel to drain into the intake, this caused the engine to severely back fire, this made a short stubby hose fall off the intake, then the engine would only crank but not run, found that hose under the car, reinstalled and it started right up. Changed the fuel pressure regulator and all was fine there after.

If it will not crank over, try this, place key in the ignition, foot firmly on brake pedal, turn key to ignition on, but not in start mode, move gear shift lever back and forth thru the whole range of gears, do this about 20-30 times, place in park and try to start, see if that does it.

And if it is that the starter is trying to do it's thing, but it still will not crank over, then I have a very bad feeling that the timing belt broke and worse case, which it usually is in circumstance, the head may need to replaced. This can be a $2,000 dollar repair.
Hope that is not the case.

DanR