My 850 automatic transmission, standard engine with 118k miles will not run after I parked it into my garage last evening.
The engine cranks over and tries to catch but will not run. I ran the onboard diagostic systems. All components checked out OK (1-1-1) except the auto transmission A-1. The red LED glows a 1/4 brightness when the ignition is turned on. In running a readout of codes the LED blinked repeadidly which I could only interpert as 3-3-3 (solenoid SL circuit shorted to ground) I deleted it from the ECU but the LED still glows 1/4 bright. Ive repeated cranking and running the diagnostic but can not duplicate any trouble code. This is the first major problem ive had in ten years, great car. I do my oun tune ups, brakes and minor repairs.
Any advice would be appreciated
thanks.
Leo, also have 2002 S80 another great car.

No luck in gettilng my 850 running. I replaced the fuel pump relay (103)
The engine turns over ,good spark and I smell fuel. The engine cranks and tries to catch two or three times but still wont start. Any suggestions please.

Got the car running
Had it towed to a diagnostic center. they checked it over and found everything normal. They recharged the battery and cranked it realy hard. They think it was badly flooded. I only cranked for 6 seconds max. Runs like a top now.

Using a voltmeter, turn the ignition ON and measure the voltage at terminal 2
(middle one) of the IAC (Idle Air Control) valve connector terminal.
Voltage read should be exactly the battery voltage: i,e: ~ 12.6 volts
If voltage is not present or lower than battery voltage, check the Fuel System
Relay.

The Fuel System Relay (not the Fuel Pump relay) supply the 12V voltage to the
fuel injectors, IAC valve, MAF sensor, EGR converter, evap valve ect ect
If this relay is defective, you car will never start.

Hello Sunscircus, Thanks you for the tip to check out the IAC. I checked the middle terminal 2 and had 12v there with ignition on. Ive drawn the battery down to 12.3 volts from all my cranksing. Ive done a visual all around and see no leaks or cracks in rubber connections. Timing light says ignition is Ok.
Person "Bay13" has an excellent thread On Fuel Pump Problems. Ive located the fuel pump relay but can't figure how to get the relay out. The relay 103 seems to be held in by retaining clips at the base. The whole assemble and base will not lift out even after I removed the 5 screws of the white base. Im missing something here, Please help. Leo

The relay is only "snapped" into the white base socket, remove the big black relay on the left (labelled 101/102), it'll give you more room for your fingers to get it out.

A problem like this could be anything, and unless it has started by the time you read this, you have to narrow it down to either a fuel or ignition related problem. 850's are know for failing fuel senders but usually they give intermittant warnings prior to complete failure. You may also be experiencing the famous "lawn mower" syndrome and have simply flooded the engine. With regards to the LED that "glows at 1/4 brightness", mine has done that since day one. I have been told by Volvo technicians that they see that on occasion. It's just an anomoly. Ignore it and continue reading codes as usual.

Thanks for your suggestions Tony, Where is the fulel relay ? I have the Haynes repair manual. The engine has never failed to start in ten years and never showed an inclination to flood out. Whatever happened, it was dramtic and sudden. Ill next check for spark by pulling one of the plugs.

Hi Leo

The A1 port glowing 1/4 brightness seems normal on the 92 - 95 model 850, I think they updated it when for the 96 models.

Could be the fuel relay is not working.
Matt
93 850 GLT 134,000 miles

Thanks for the input Matt. Can you open up the gas tank fill cap and listen to hear if the fulel pump is running? I remember something about that from my 760 days. What bothers me is about the glowing Led it has never done that before. Ive run diagnostics every couple of years and this is new.