#%@#! (expletive) - 1996 850 Turbo

june82000 · Post by **june82000** » 01 Feb 2012, 19:33

Okay, so I admit, my fiance's Volvo is kicking my you know what. No Spark - except once when it started and ran flawlessly, never again though. Have been trying parts from the junkyard, so far a coil or two or three and just bought three Crank position sensors. Have tried one so far (ran out of time because the one I was removing broke off (that was fun)). Anyway, taking a break and will try to gather my thoughts and do some more research. One question for now - the alarm and immobilizer - any advice on checking/bypassing, or otherwise removing from the equation? Does it actually kill the spark, or just keep the starter from engaging? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!

Post by **jblackburn** » 01 Feb 2012, 19:43

On a 1998, the alarm won't even let the starter turn over.

Have you tried the cam position sensor?

june82000 · Post by **june82000** » 02 Feb 2012, 07:42

I have not tried the cam position sensor yet, but it;s on my short list of things to try. I still have two more crank sensors to try on the remote chance that the one I tried last night was bad.

Can anyone confirm whether or not the alarm system just interrupts the starter, or does it also interrupt ignition - or both?

Thank You!!

Post by **tjts1** » 02 Feb 2012, 07:46

Definitely try cam sensor before anything else. Its the easiest to get to.

Post by **erikv11** » 02 Feb 2012, 07:58

On my 96s, the alarm will not let the starter turn over.

Order I would check them in: cam sensor, crank sensor, coil.

boggy · Post by **boggy** » 02 Feb 2012, 08:20

I believe the alarm system (when engaged) will not allow the engine to crank over. If it cranks the alarm system is not the culprit. I would look at the Cam or crank sensor. Coils seldom go bad. I have a 1997 850 T-5 that I replaced cam, crank, coil and I still do not get spark? So I'm in the same situation.

Post by **erikv11** » 02 Feb 2012, 08:29

I think next on the list for no spark is ECU (assuming you checked the coil wire too?). Expensive though - try to just borrow a known working one for a test.

RDEJR · Post by **RDEJR** » 02 Feb 2012, 09:15

I had a no spark issue on a 940 Turbo that I was helping a guy work on... turned out to be a bad distributor cap...

Do you have no spark to the plug wires, or on the main coil wire heading into the distributor. I would check that first.

june82000 · Post by **june82000** » 02 Feb 2012, 11:10

Does anyone know for sure regarding the alarm on the '96 850? Does it just inhibit the starter engagement; or does it also inhibit ignition? I have not tried the cap and rotor yet - I suppose it would be a good idea to change those anyway...

Thanks for the input, keep 'em coming - I promise to try everything until I get this thing running!!

Post by **erikv11** » 02 Feb 2012, 11:59

june82000 wrote:Does anyone know for sure regarding the alarm on the '96 850? Does it just inhibit the starter engagement; or does it also inhibit ignition? I have not tried the cap and rotor yet - I suppose it would be a good idea to change those anyway...

Thanks for the input, keep 'em coming - I promise to try everything until I get this thing running!!

What I know for sure: I have have a 96 850 and have been unable to start before due to the alarm. When this happens, the starter will not engage.

Before you change the cap and rotor, see if there is spark coming out of the coil like RDEJR suggests. I assumed you checked that but sounds like maybe not.

#*%@*#! (expletive) - 1996 850 Turbo