some times she starts, sometimes shes a paperweight Topic is solved

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 10 Dec 2004, 12:28

I can't figure it out and im limited on cash so i figured i see if any one knows what the problem is. I have an 89 740 sw, got it less than a month ago. It runs great when it starts but has trouble starting sometimes. Yesterday for instance it turned over for about 15 seconds before starting, then later in the day it took 3 ten second tries. When i got home i shut it off, starts right back up no problem. let it sit for a couple hours, starts right up. Go to start it this morning, no luck just turns till the battery wears down. I live in maine and it has recently gotten colder so im not sure if that has something to do with it. the battery was tested and is fine. This started a couple weeks ago and i replaced that little black box thats screwed to the drivers side under the hood behind the air filter box. I'm not to car savy so i'm not sure what it is called. Anyway after i replaced that it started up fine but is doing the same thing again. If anyone has any idea that would be greatly appreciated. Also i've been reading other forums and people talk about hitting the fuel pump, im not sure where to hit so i've been hitting every thing in the car to no luck. also there is a wire sticking out on the right near the air filter that is not connected. not sure if this has anything to do with it. I can take a picture if needed, the part number on it is 1259828 and has three wires (orange, green, yellow)going into a female type connector. if anyone has even the slightest idea it would be very helpful. thanks

sweet89volvo740 · Post by **sweet89volvo740** » 10 Dec 2004, 12:37

i also checked all the fuses and they are all good.

sweet89volvo740 · Post by **sweet89volvo740** » 11 Dec 2004, 13:52

I also wiggled the relay behind the fuse boxes and tried turning it over, no luck.

Kmaniac in California · Post by **Kmaniac in California** » 11 Dec 2004, 14:08

Boy does your story sound familiar. Yes, I am the guy who suggest hitting the fuel pump with a rock. The main fuel pump and filter are located in triangular shaped cradle, under the car, below the driver's seat. The pump is the smaller of the two cylindrical shaped objects. When the car fails to start again, tap the pump with a rock a few times and try again. Instant success will mean the pump is starting to break down and needs replacement.

Remember, your car has two fuel pumps, the main pump under the car, and the in-tank fuel pump, in the fuel tank. If you need to replace the main pump, I strongly suggest replacing the in-tank pump and filter sock at the same time. Replacing these pumps is not easy for the inexperience shadetree mechanic. I have been working on my own cars for over 25 years and found these tasks a challenge.

The wiring connections under the hood that you spoke of are hook ups for diagnostic equipment. You're not missing anything under there.

Good luck with the car and let us know what you find.

sweet89volvo740 · Post by **sweet89volvo740** » 12 Dec 2004, 13:33

i found the fuel pump and hit it a few times. It still didn't start but is rusted to all hell so probably needs to be replaced anyway. i'll post updates as soon as i get them. probably have to get it towed to a shop. man i wish i knew more about cars. thanks for your response kmaniac

sweet89volvo740 · Post by **sweet89volvo740** » 16 Dec 2004, 09:14

Well the mechanic couldn't find any significant problems so he did a tune up, replaced the distributor cap, some cables, spark plugs, and a few other minor things. Got it back yesterday and shes running again, wicked sweet!

sweet89volvo740 · Post by **sweet89volvo740** » 18 Dec 2004, 11:46

When i got the car back from the mechanic it started up and ran great. I was loking for a job so I drove around for three or fours hours starting and stopping a bunch of times, not one problem. Then yesterday I'm coming out of the mall from christmas shopping and the car won't start again. The mechanics towed it again and ripped apart the dash and replaced the fuel sensor. Man what a nightmare, hope this solves the problem cause it is a pain in the butt to get stuck places and having to call for a ride, not to mention dropping a couple hundred bucks into it every time it gets towed. The car is sweet though!

decaf · Post by **decaf** » 21 Dec 2004, 15:40

hmm i find i have the same problem. it droped to 3degrees sunday night and my car has not started. i have checked the cables and they are making spark . she turns over like a banshee but no start, the plugs are new and i am at a total loss. before this i had no problems at all one cold snap and poof no start. removed a tube next to the fuel pressure regulator and checked to see if gas is flowing and it is nicely so iam at a total loss at this point . any clues.?

decaf · Post by **decaf** » 21 Dec 2004, 15:40

hmm i find i have the same problem. it droped to 3degrees sunday night and my car has not started. i have checked the cables and they are making spark . she turns over like a banshee but no start, the plugs are new and i am at a total loss. before this i had no problems at all one cold snap and poof no start. removed a tube next to the fuel pressure regulator and checked to see if gas is flowing and it is nicely so iam at a total loss at this point . any clues.?

sweet89volvo740 · Post by **sweet89volvo740** » 21 Dec 2004, 17:37

If it is the same problem i had, its the fuel sensor. The other most common thing I found was the fuel pump. The next time it doesn't start, tap the fuel pump a few times. If it starts after that its the fuel pump, if not you could look into getting a new fuel sensor.