OBD2

cread · Post by **cread** » 24 Mar 2011, 08:10

I'm looking to buy an Equus 3030 Innova Diagnostic Code Reader for OBDII Vehicles to help me diagnose some problems with my 96 850 Turbo. From the reviews this looks like a good model thats within my budget, does anyone have experience with this reader ?

Also does my Check Engine Light have to be on to troubleshoot and diagnose issues as the vehicle currently won't start ? Lastly does anyone have a file or link that can point me in right direction to get code descriptions for a 1996 850 Turbo ?

As always thanks for your help , I love this forum and am learning quite a bit from all of you !!!

Post by **jblackburn** » 24 Mar 2011, 09:08

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/volvo- ... ble-codes/

That scanner should work just fine. If the car has codes stored, they will come up on a scan even without it running. Then again, if there's something wrong with it that it doesn't know about because it's unable to start and run through the checks, you might not see anything show up.

This is a horribly outdated list, and we are working on a new one. But if you have any questions on codes that you don't see there, just post up the code numbers and someone will try to get you an answer.

cread · Post by **cread** » 24 Mar 2011, 12:02

Thanks , I'm going to try the things you suggested in my other post first as far as the injectors go and determine if i'm getting spark as well. I think i'm still going to pick up this code reader as well to have for future use as this is an older model i'm wanting to invest in. SO these code readers can/will read codes even if they haven't set off the Check Engine Light for me to see yet ? Is that a correct/incorrect statement ?

Post by **jblackburn** » 24 Mar 2011, 12:13

If there are pending codes stored in the computer, sure. It takes multiple occurrences of a code for the car to set off the check engine light. However, IF the car hasn't noticed that anything is wrong before it wouldn't start, you might not have any codes stored.

cread · Post by **cread** » 25 Mar 2011, 08:17

okay got a code P0120 and after some searching found this definition ..... Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor/Switch "A" Circuit

So what does this mean exactly ? What are some things i need to do to try to resolve this code and try to find the exact cause ?
My problems started with a bad starter , car was running fine before that, I changed the starter and engine turns over good, just never cranks up, is this trouble code enough to prevent start-up ? Is it a fluke that it happened after a new starter install or does this make sense?

Thanks as always !!

Post by **jblackburn** » 25 Mar 2011, 08:28

Check the wire to the throttle position sensor - it is just behind the radiator on the front side of the throttle body. If it's connected and the contacts are clean, then it should be replaced. That could be enough of a cause for it not to start I think. You probably just knocked off the wire or forgot to reconnect it when you went down there to replace the starter.

cread · Post by **cread** » 28 Mar 2011, 12:14

ok checked TPS , it was plugged in. Replaced TPS and still reads same code, i disconeccted coil wire from distributor cap like you suggested and turned engine over removed a plug and could not feel or smell gas. I checked for spark after reconnecting coil wire and i don't have spark even after replacing plugs. I'm really stumped if you or anyone has any suggestions !!!

ok, just got off the phone with a friend and told him everything i tried. I forgot to mention on my original post that when i hooked my wires back on starter after install and connected the battery the car started turning over on its own but not cranking with no key in the ignition. I dissconnected battery and fixed wiring problem and now it turns over but doesn't start. My friend said i might have set off the anti-theft system ? Do you yhink that is why i'm not getting any spark ? If so how do i fix this so me and my volvo can get on with our lives and driving ? PLEASE HELP

Post by **jblackburn** » 28 Mar 2011, 12:19

That could have done it. I (think) that when I set my alarm off nearly 2 years ago by unlocking the car from the door, it wouldn't let me even engage the starter. I honestly don't remember that well except frantically trying to get the car to quit honking

If you have a remote, lock and unlock the doors with the remote. If you don't, stick the key in the drivers door and do the same thing (car locked first). This should, for the most part, reset the alarm system. If still nothing, try the same procedure 3 times in succession.

cread · Post by **cread** » 28 Mar 2011, 12:30

i will be home and i will try this and see if this clears it up. If not where do i go from here ?

Post by **jblackburn** » 28 Mar 2011, 12:47

i disconeccted coil wire from distributor cap like you suggested and turned engine over removed a plug and could not feel or smell gas. I checked for spark after reconnecting coil wire and i don't have spark even after replacing plug

Because of that comment, I would suspect a failed cam position sensor if you are unable to get it running again.

If you've got the little red light on top of your dash like my S70, if the alarm system is preventing the car from starting, that light will be flashing furiously rather than every few seconds when the alarm is armed.