I went out to my car this morning and it didn't start. It drove fine on Monday (the day before yesterday). I thought it might have been low on gas, so I emptied a 4 gallon gas can into it. Still no starting.

When I insert the key, I hear the chime I'm supposed to, to let me know th key is in. When I turn to the ON position, I notice the arrow light on the right side of the display is flashing. Also, the lights on the SPORT/ECON button flash to whichever they're set to, but when I press the WINTER button, the orange SPORT light flashes, but the green ECON does not.

I talked with my mechanic and he said it sounded like a fuel pump issue. I got under the car and banged on the bottom of the gas tank near the center with a rubber mallet while Dad tried to start it. It didn't work, but I heard what I think is the fuel pump turning on. I tried a few more times with no success.

I tried the ratcheting of my gear shifter like I sometimes had to do when it was cold. It didn't seem to help because the car still hasn't started and the flashing arrow is still there.

I also tried disconnecting the battery for a few minutes, in hopes that it would reset the system. That didn't work either.

I tried letting it sit for a while because I had read that that might be a solution. Doesn't seemed to have panned out.

I don't know if it's sparking because I don't know how to get a spark plug out and see.

I don't know if it's consequential but we did have a nasty thunderstorm last night. It rained for hours and our power was out all night. I really don't know what could have happened that would have caused the car to be fine on Monday and then not fine Wednesday (today).

I would really appreciate any help. I don't know what else to do except have my car towed to my mechanics (which is about 45 minutes away) and have him work on it, which might not be for a few days. At the very least, if I could get it started, then I could drive it there myself. I hope I made this detailed enough.

Regards,
Richard

Richard:

You probably had the car towed by now, but you should know how to change the spark plugs and find your relays. The black plastic cap on the top of your motor that says "Volvo 20 Valve" is held in place by 6 large torx screws. Buy yourself a good 3/8" rachet at sears, a spark plug socket with a rubber insulator and an extension bar of about 8". Once you have the cover off, you will see the 5 "top dead center" type spark plug wires. Pull them off and you will be looking at the spark plug. Be sure the crush washer comes up with the plug and be sure to torqe the new plug to the correct measure. Sears sells a great long handle torque wrench and Autozone now puts the torqe values on Bosch super plugs. The fuel pump relay is under the regular fuse box on the left side of the engine. Take the torx screws off around the main fuse panel and lift up the plastic cover. The fuel relay is the big red one. The only way I know to test is with another one......I find sets of relays on Ebay for about 20 bucks and keep one set in the trunk for crappy days like your having right about now. Good luck. Let us know what the problem was. Search "Volvo Relay" on ebay. Sure beats 50-60 bucks each at the dealer.

You probably have fixed by now, but likely to be cam position sensor.

The arrow flashing is probably the park-neutral-position switch malfunction. Does the key not go to position? Is the starter cranking?

get in the car, close the door to stop that silly chime, and turn the key to posII - on. You should hear the fuel pump whirr for a second or two. If you do not, then I suspect it is the fuel pump relay, which is under the fuse tray and numbered 103. Tap that relay and try starting it again.
It could be a number of things, like the cam position sensor, a blown fuse, etc.

Write back, and stop banging on the fuel tank :)

Klaus
--
1995 854T and 1998 V70R

So the car turns over but doesn't start?

If you have a timing light connect it to see if you have a spark. If not, buy some ether and spray it onto the intake while you are cranking the engine. If it fires but does not run you have a spark and no fuel.

If it does not fire then you have no spark.