98 V70 Car cranks but won't start, no spark.

[BestNana1485129]

I don't have spark. New battery. Have been losing power steering fluid x 1 week. This morning, went out but the car won't start. Checked the plugs and have no spark. Backtracked through spark plug, wires, distributor cap, solenoid back to the relay switches. Need to see if the relay switches are good, I think. It's the only thing left I can think of.

[Ozark Lee]

I'm not sure what you are referring to by the "relay switches". The routing on the ignition wires is, working backwards, from the spark plugs, through the plug wires to the distributor cap. From the cap the coil wire goes back to the coil which is triggered by the ECU.

It could be a bad coil but that wouldn't be the most common problem and further testing should be done before replacing it.

As a quick and dirty test I would feel the fuel injectors as the car is being cranked to see if they pulse. If you have no spark and no injector pulse the most likely culprit would be either the camshaft or crankshaft position sensor. Without position signals the ECU doesn't know when to trigger the coil or the injectors hence no spark and no injector pulse.

An OBD-II scan might reveal an error code associated with underlying problem and if you can get the system scanned please post back the Pxxxx code number(s) and we can be of more help.

...Lee

[BestNana1485129]

Lee, a little confused, but I'll get there. I am fairly certain I can either rent or pick up an OBD=II scanner at my local AutoZone, but not sure. If I pick this unit up, do I plug it in somewhere so that it gives me a code and then get back to you with that? I was going to pick up the cam sensor because that seemed the most likely, but on second thought, feel I'd rather know exactly what the problem is before I go stoking all kinds of money into the car. So much seems to be breaking down on it week after week now. Must be the age of the vehicle. Still, love the Volvo and don't want to part with it just yet. Your thoughts?

[BestNana1485129]

Lee, sorry....I wanted to say thank you so much for your reply and got blonde on myself. I apologize. Thank you so much for your input, I really do appreciate it.

[Ozark Lee]

Most of the chain auto parts stores do indeed "rent" a scanner. What they do is charge you a deposit that is basically the sales price and then they refund it entirely when it is returned. The scanner plugs into a connector port that is located in the center console glove box on the 70 series. From the factory it has a cover that has OBD-II embossed on it but 90% of the covers are missing. Just plug in the scanner and then follow the instructions that will be included with the scanner. Be sure to write down the Pxxxx code number. Some of the scanners try to get fancy and diagnose the problem for you but they are often wrong in their diagnosis. The code number will tell us what we need to know.

The camshaft and crankshaft position sensors are pricey, as is the coil, so throwing parts at it can get expensive fast. The scan may point directly to the problem.

As far as keeping the car goes it is often a tough call. The '98s are particularly good since they don't have all of the problematic gadgets like the electronic throttle module but they are all getting old and as they age they tend to require more attention. If you can do much of the repair work yourself, and it sounds like you are capable, it makes sense to keep the car if you like it. If you need to take it to the shop for most repairs then they will bleed you dry.

...Lee

[BestNana1485129]

Mr. Lee, thank you for the compliment, and the wisdom. My turn now, to go get the OBD-II scanner and get the Pxxxx code...then work from there. Thanks again, Eva