98 Volvo v70 No re-start? MVSOLVED BAD MAF

jomustard · Post by **jomustard** » 29 Apr 2014, 23:26

Bought a 98 Volvo V70 a few weeks ago. Been having problems ever since. First there was a hole in the radiator. Got a used radiator at Pick n Pull that my husband installed. Engine was very dirty so he cleaned it as well. He just finished all this after 6 days and I got to drive it to the store. It was fine.
Now, it turns over but will not start. We can not figure out why. My husband took off the air pump solenoid and I drove the car without that part on. Could that be the reason that suddenly the car won't start? Thanks, Joanne

Post by **erikv11** » 30 Apr 2014, 00:10

I can't see any reason why removing that solenoid will cause it to not start. Maybe he got water in the spark plug holes (pull the wires and let them dry out well) or under the distributor cap?

Or maybe due to bad luck something else went awry. Common no-start problems:
fuel pump relay broken (is there fuel pressure at the rail? jumper it with a paper clip)
fuel pump dead (does it hum? is there )
cam position sensor dead (is there spark at the spark plugs?)
crank sensor dead (same - is there spark?)

jomustard · Post by **jomustard** » 30 Apr 2014, 00:15

Thank you for your reply. I guess we will rule out the air pump Solenoid then. It is just strange how it started and drove then 10 minutes later it won't start. I wonder if the Anti-theft code needs resetting since he removed the battery and put it back in. One button on radio keeps blinking.
Then we will go through the troubleshooting steps you mentioned.

Post by **abscate** » 30 Apr 2014, 05:00

Joanne..welcome!

One thing that happens on these cars is the temperature sender goes bad, and then the engine thinks it is always cold. It pumps extra fuel in for a cold start, which floods it after a 10 minute milk run.

Do you smell fuel at the tailpipe when you get the no-start ? You will attract attention by sniffing your exhaust pipe so be discrete...lol!

jomustard · Post by **jomustard** » 30 Apr 2014, 14:58

Thank you, we will check that out. I do smell a slight fuel smell at the tailpipe.
We borrowed an OBD11 Code reader....no codes came up it said PASS...But when we checked the IM Monitor...everything said n/a except Comp Component which said ok. Before when we used it...there was several incomplete...and maybe one or two n/a. What would that mean?

Post by **abscate** » 30 Apr 2014, 15:58

Incomplete refers to the process of the system testing various subsystems before it can report the status. Some of the systems can take up to 100 miles of driving to complete the test. Every time you disconnect the battery, clear the codes on the Check Engine Light (CEL) you have to complete the drive cycle again to ensure you have solved a problem.

I remember if the temperature sensor (often called ECT here) throws a code but the lack of a code is certainly not a good diagnostic! Its common for things to be marginal and not show a CEL code.

jomustard · Post by **jomustard** » 01 May 2014, 08:10

How can we tell that the temperature sensor itself is bad?
I don't know if this is correct but I understand in Calif...the 98 Volvo v70 is exempt from the readiness monitors in the smog test. Certain Volvos do not have to go through the drive cycles. I called a smog shop yesterday and was told this. I am hoping it is true...would make it easier to pass.

jomustard · Post by **jomustard** » 01 May 2014, 08:18

I used to own a 95 Volvo 850.....loved that car but it couldn't pass tough Calif. smog...it wasn't exempt from the readiness monitors.
I wanted to change the car in my profile and can't see where you can do that.

jomustard · Post by **jomustard** » 02 May 2014, 21:47

Found out the problem was the MAF sensor. We unplugged it and the car ran. Plugged it back in car didn't run. Got another one at Pick n Pull for $60 and it works fine. Thank you to all the helped. https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=32827

Post by **abscate** » 04 May 2014, 09:00

Thanks for follow up, duly re-titled as SOLVED!

If your garage is willing to inspect and waive emissions testing go for it. There is no way a garage will risk getting this wrong as the fines are incredibly large. There is documentation here about waivers for certain Volvos if you want to search.

And please don't feel less 'green' for getting the waiver. Keeping a 1998 on the road is greener than the cleanest hybrid in operation.