1995 850 Turbo Wagon Intermittant Start Problems

Charlie-Sierra · Post by **Charlie-Sierra** » 22 Jan 2014, 08:26

Earlier this month I went out to out to find that my 850 cranked but wouldn't start. The gas light was on and around 0°F so I added some heet, a gallon or two of gas and used starter fluid on the air intake but got the same result, it would crank and crank without catching.

I charged the battery and pulled codes (the only one being long-term fuel trim). I eventually had it towed to a shop, not my normal Volvo guy but someone he recommended, he pulled it into the shop cleaned the spark plugs and it fired right up.

Fast forward 2 weeks and it's the same problem. About 5°F, 6 gallons in the tank, crank but no start. I had a similar problem in December when it started but would really bog down when I hit the accelerator, I also figured water in the gas lines and put a couple gallons of premium and let it idle for about 30 min and it felt fine.

I don't want it towed again but I'm not sure where to go from here so any guidance would be helpful.

Thanks in advance

mdempst_79 · Post by **mdempst_79** » 22 Jan 2014, 10:17

I am having similar issues.. 94 850 Turbo 5speed. Below -10c it will not start.. Pulled into shop, cleaned plugs and it went. Next day wouldn't start. Put in new plugs lastnight and it fired right up (inside shop). Today, it is outside and won't start. Here is what I have done:

Swapped wires/cap/rotor
Swapped coil module
Swapped coolant sensor
Cleaned / disconnected MAF
Checked fuel pressure regulator line for fuel
Warmed up ecu inside
Swapped & reflowed solder on fuel relay

Nothing has made a difference. I am going to try swapping the cam sensor tonight to see if that will fix it. I did however notice each time I remove the plugs that all of them are soaked.

Post back some of your findings and maybe we can figure out this problem.

Post by **rspi** » 22 Jan 2014, 10:43

What does SWAPPED mean?

mdempst_79 · Post by **mdempst_79** » 22 Jan 2014, 12:07

Swapped out with good known parts.

Charlie-Sierra · Post by **Charlie-Sierra** » 22 Jan 2014, 16:45

That's a great video, thanks for posting.

Air - All seems well I am going to take out the mass airflow and clean it up. I do have a "long term fuel trim" code for what that's worth.

Spark - The mechanic cleaned and checked the spark plugs 2 weeks ago so I figure they're fine but I can check them if needed. The battery is a month old, the distributor is 18 months old, same with the ignition coil and the wiring.

Fuel - I can hear the fuel pump which is also less than 2 years old for what that's worth.

Timing - It seems to be a cold weather issue but I can check it.

Compression - Again this is the same problem as before and she runs like a champ when she does start so I don't think I that's the problem but I am certainly not an expert.

I don't have a garage to warm it up in but it seems to be a cold related problem I figured I could solve it by keeping more gas in the tank but I have like 6 gallons. The lows this week are supposed to be between -5°F and -15°F so I'm kinda unsure where to go from here.

Post by **rspi** » 22 Jan 2014, 18:47

You should check spark when it fails to start.

bncme262 · Post by **bncme262** » 22 Jan 2014, 21:33

entire distributor 18 months old? i would look inside the cap, scrape off the contacts and clean the carbon tracking. check at night to see if wire arcing. i have a problem for the forum: my 850 starts runs perfect when temps are warm, above 50/55, very hard to start in colder weather, takes about 20 times, then runs perfect. you did not mention fuel filter replacement and whether a creature had built a nest in the air box below the filter. cleaning the maf and throttle body should clean up that trim code. also pull plastic wire/plug cover and see if oil vapor blown out from the oil fill cap from clogged breather has soaked the wires and s/plug holes. bad coolant or air temp sensor not signaling to enrich fuel for cold start? owner generating intermittent negative mechanical karma waves?

MSLV70 · Post by **MSLV70** » 22 Jan 2014, 22:02

It's very easy to check the fuel pump relay. Just warm it up inside and pop it back in. It's a common failure point in extreme cold temps.

Edit - just now saw that your plugs are soaked, so you can prob disregard my thoughts above.

Charlie-Sierra · Post by **Charlie-Sierra** » 23 Jan 2014, 13:40

Thanks for all the advice.

Tomorrow is my day off and it's supposed to be a balmy 25°F so I'll report back then.

Big thanks.

Post by **scot850** » 23 Jan 2014, 22:56

How good is your battery? Not a Volvo problem, but had an Audi A4, and if it was cold and the battery was low it would not start, but would flood the plugs. Removed the plugs and charged the battery and bingo! Problem was my wife ran the car to the train station rather than take the bus when it was cold. With all the electrical on, and the car not getting a chance to really warm up, the battery charge diminished enough to cause the problem.

Neil.