Failing Fuel Pump? - 2002 V70NA2.4T ODO:241k miles

[Jonboy74]

Hi all,

I've got a peculiar one.....I got in the car yesterday morning to head to work, but it would not start. The car had been sitting for a full week without being driven, but had not exhibited any issues prior to this - I was out of town and that's why it had not been driven. I left it with a full tank of petrol, so that the wife would have an available spare if hers decided to act wonky. If she moved it while I was gone, it was only so my son could play Basketball in the driveway. (she doesn't like that car, and prefers being up high in her minivan, so she avoids driving it at almost all costs).

Anyway, it turned over nicely, without hesitation, but would never start. Either no spark or no fuel, with my suspicion being no fuel. To verify this, I tried a 3 second squirt of starting fluid into the air filter intake. Closed the cover and tried to start. Still no dice.

Was out of time, so I let it sit until after work. Last night, I hooked up a fuel pressure gauge to the Schrader valve at the rail, and had nothing. Nada, Zilch.

Again, tried turning it over, waiting for a moment to let the fuel pump run (I did hear it). Again, nothing.

Out of one final act of desperation, I sprayed another 5 second squirt of starting fluid into the air filter housing, snapped it closed, and tried again.

Turned over several times, acted like it was going to start.....and then it did!

And it kept running!

And the fuel pressure was at a constant 55 PSI. (now, the Schrader valve was not properly sealed, so had that been properly sealed and not leaking, it likely would have been higher, maybe even 60 PSI.)

I drove the car to work today, stopped for almost 2 hours, and had no issues starting it either time, and it appears to be running fine.

So back to the question in the subject line.....is my fuel pump or sensor going bad, or is this just a fluke? Any other ideas?

Thanks,

Jonboy

[Jonboy74]

Update - hopped in the car after it sitting all day, and it started without issue to drive home. Parked at home for about 2 hours, hopped back in to drive two more times, and again, no issues. I figured I would've had another issue by now. Would really love some insight if anyone has some....

Jonboy

[abscate]

My PEM failed over a six month period from first symptom to the fist no start.

Keep driving it for a bit. Keep that fuel pressure gauge handy

[Jonboy74]

Thanks for the reply. Interesting. What were the symptoms?

[oragex]

I find it strange that it refused to start with so much try, then it works without a fail.. You say you were hearing the pump which would meant the pump spins with low voltage so doesn't build up pressure. As above, that would be a PEM but keep in mind the FPS as well. I would try used ones - see Ebay or local scrap yard. The PEM is the same on all Volvo from 2001 to about 2012 for some S40 V50, just located at different places, you can also pull yours see if it has lots of corrosion on it www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEQeoCnwOu0

[abscate]

I had a skip at speed, an intermittent miss. That cured it self , then six months later, a no start.

I removed and opened the PEM and cleaned out a handful of corrosion, then rinsed it with contact cleaner. That cured the no start. I replaced it with new, it was expensive, about $333

[deano1]

Anyone know where the PEM is located on the plastic tank s60 cars??

yes I've looked,,,it's not in the same location. I checked under the rear seat,,,trunk and above fuel tank.
cheers

[abscate]

I thought it was either on top of the tank or sideways in the spare tyre space....wait, wrong Cambridge...spare tire space.

[Jonboy74]

Ok, so what exactly does the PEM do, anyway?

[abscate]

It takes the demand signal from the CEM, and drives the fuel pump with its duty cycle to keep the fuel pump pressure at spec.

We actually have found the waveforms for these two modules and have them in a thread somewhere.