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Won't Start - Please Help! 850 1994

My (daughter's) Volvo '94 850 Turbo that has an intermittent starting problem.

The short version is that usually the car starts with no problem. But occasionally the car will crank fine but won't start. No sign of even trying to turn over, just steady cranking. This can go on for 10-15 minutes or for days (three and counting so far this time).

Towed it to our mechanic and left it there for three weeks and could not replicate the problem. Had it home for two days and wham, won't start. All connections have been checked.

The car is parked overnight on an incline and occurs mostly when the engine is cold (after sitting over night or at school all day). It happened once during the summer after being parked on level ground in a covered garage after sitting for an hour or two on a hot day. Took about five minutes or so of cranking before it started.

I was out there this morning (currently about 50 F) trying to get it to start. I gave up after about 10+ minutes.

I can hear what I think is the fuel pump running in the right rear after I shut the key off after each try.

I have tried pumping the gas pedel with no effect except to create a fuel smell, so I think gas is moving.

No CE light.

Any ideas on possible causes are most appreciated.
_________________
Cheers, Fred








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    Won't Start - Please Help! 850 1994

    Okay,

    I lived with a similar problem for a few months and discovered that the fault codes couldn't necessarily be trusted if there was a bad electrical connection. I spent a lot of time replacing components and trying to locate the specific source of the problem - with the help of an experienced Volvo mechanic.

    In the end, it was the man connection to my electronic ignition coil that was at fault. The plug went on fine but seemed a little spongy. I discovered that a good hard squeeze made it click on a little further. My car has started fine ever since.

    A simple crack or a bad connection in a main lead can lead to what you are describing. Jarring and thermal expansion/contraction creates the intermittent problem.

    Good luck - these can be fun to try to find.








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    Won't Start - Please Help! 850 1994

    Mine had a bad camshaft position sensor that was intermittent, until one day when I went for a coffee, it failed permanently. I'll be it is the culprit!

    Ensignnolo








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    Won't Start - Please Help! 850 1994

    Maybe the camshaft position sensor? Try searching
    on "cam sensor" or similar combination. When it fails
    the car is impossible to start. I'm not sure if failure
    mode is intermittent (someone else will know). A Volvo
    specialist would be aware of this fairly common problem.

    I've also heard of the alarm failing in such a way as to
    keep the car from starting (but that is less common).

    Hang in there!








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    Won't Start - Please Help! 850 1994

    fbfisher:

    do a search on "rpm sensors" on this site and see if it helps...

    yt855
    1994, 5spd, non-turbo 855@95kmiles







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