I recently purchased a 1997 850 non-turbo model. It cranks over happily, but doesn't start. The previous owner replaced the crank sensor and cam sensor with no luck. He also swapped coils with another running Volvo and it still wouldn't start. The non-running 850's coil worked on a running Volvo. He didn't replace the knock sensors. Could faulty knock sensors cause the car not to start?

I've noticed there are instructions on this site for a DIY flash code reader. Will this work a '97 850? I have not taken delivery of this vehicle yet, so I don't what error codes it may report.

Any help or tips would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.

Hello, did you ever find an answer to this issue? I have an 96 850GLT with teh same type problem. Thanks

Have you taken the plugs out to check if they're wet and fireing. Check the schrader valve on the intake manifold for fuel pressure. Other's have said that the 850 engine can flood easily and loose compression making starts difficult. If it's spinning w/ little compression try squirting some oil into each of the cylinders. If no fuel pressure could be bad pump relay or pump itself. The '97 has an OBD 2 diagnostics port. Your should be able to read any fault codes.

It has fuel, but doesn't have spark. There is no spark at the coil even thought the coil is getting power. Generic obd II codes were tps circuit fault and clt temp circuit low fault. The tps fault went away after I cleaned up the tps and throttle body.

i have had a 97 and 95 850s that i think both had the jumper wires crossed.
But they had no power to the coil from the pcm. The problem was a blown relay right next to the fuse panel. Take the cover off with torx screws, and there are i think 3 "J" relays, one or 2 of those could be bad, maybe just swap them around. I can tell you what they are for off the top of my head, but check those.