1991 240 volvo wagon will not start

cstodg13 · Post by **cstodg13** » 04 Mar 2008, 11:37

The car has 217,000 miles. When you turn the key it's as if you are trying to start the car in nuetral. All the lights come on in the dash board and I tried to jump it so I'm not thinking it is the battery. Also, when I turn the key there is a BUZZ that runs through the engine similar to a motorized antenna. I checked the fuses for the fuel pump and it appeared to be fine. Any ideas on how i might be able to fix it myself, so I can avoid taking it to a shop?

Post by **billofdurham** » 04 Mar 2008, 12:14

Welcome to Matthew's Volvo Site.

I assume that the engine turns over when you crank it but it won't fire.

Whereabouts is the buzzing noise loudest, in the engine compartment or the passenger compartment?

You have checked the fuel pump fuses but have you checked the fuel system relay? It is mounted behind the dash on the driver's side. They do breakdown as they get older but sometimes a sharp tap on the cover will coax them back to life.

Bill.

cstodg13 · Post by **cstodg13** » 04 Mar 2008, 19:11

the engine does not even attempt to turn over. the buzzing is loudest in the passenger compartment, but is the fuel system relay inside the car or under the hood? thanks for the help

Post by **billofdurham** » 05 Mar 2008, 12:24

As the engine is not turning over it is a waste of time looking at fuel system parts at this stage. A fault in the fuel system would not stop the engine turning over. However, the fuel system relay is inside the passenger compartment.

As all the dash lights work, and presumably the outside lights as well, it would point to an electrical fault in the starting circuit.

If the car has an auto box it may be that the inhibitor switch at the bottom of the shift lever has moved out of alignment or has developed a fault. The inhibitor switch is there to prevent the car being started unless it is in P or N.

Can you be more specific as to the location of the buzz?

Bill.

cstodg13 · Post by **cstodg13** » 05 Mar 2008, 18:17

Now that you mention the auto box, the night it stopped running I was helping a friend move. I loaded some drawers in the passenger seat and when I drove the car they were pressed up against the gear shift. I was able to drive the car, but when i unloaded them is when the car would not start. As I mentioned before, it is as if you are trying to start the car while it is not in park. As for the location of the buzz, it sounds like it is coming from the steering column or from behind the fuel guage and speedometer. If you open the hood it sounds like it is coming from the steering column first and then there is a second buzz in a silver piece above the spark plugs. I wouild like to try the inhibitor switch because it just seems like the fault is centered around that gear shift somehow, something happened when the drawers were pressed up against the shifter. How would I get to the switch and determine if it is in place? Thanks again.

Post by **billofdurham** » 06 Mar 2008, 12:42

Remove the gear selector cover (two screws I think). The switch can be seen towards the rear left of the hole. There will be two marks 'N' & 'P' which should line up exactly with the selector lever when it is in neutral or park. If it doesn't then loosen, but do not remove, 2 retaining bolts on the switch and readjust it.

The engine should only start in neutral or park. Also check reverse lights only activate in reverse position. There is a control pin between the lever and the switch. Take care that this does not come out.

Before you start pulling everything apart have you checked to see if the car will start in any of the gear positions? If you try to do this make sure your parking brake is set and you have your foot on the brake pedal - hard!

Bill.

cstodg13 · Post by **cstodg13** » 10 Mar 2008, 20:24

Ok, I tried the reverse lights and they did not work. The engine does not start in nuetral or park. I have not pulled the gear cover. Should I check the switch and control pin as u stated in the previous post or is it something else since it will not start in either position?

Post by **billofdurham** » 11 Mar 2008, 13:07

I would suspect the switch or possibly even a bad connection to it caused by the load you were carrying.

Bill.

cstodg13 · Post by **cstodg13** » 17 Mar 2008, 15:51

Alright, so I got the pin back in.... Good call. Is there anything there that would have drained the battery. Before, when the pin was out, the lights on the dash would turn on no problem. But now there is nothing. I tried to jump it which got the lights to come on and the engine did try to turn over, which it had not done before. I assume that the battery is toast, but not sure how as it has been just sitting there.

Post by **billofdurham** » 18 Mar 2008, 12:56

Have you checked the wires attached to the inhibitor switch?

One goes to the starter motor and the other to the ignition switch. If either of them is making no, or a bad, contact it would make it appear that the car was dead.

I can see no reason for the battery dying with what you have done.

Bill.