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Intermittent starting problem 200 1989

posted by cjc147 on Fri Jul 11 07:03 CST 2008
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last visit: Sat Jul 26 18:06 CST 2008

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I have this '89 240DL SW since mid 1990. 8 months ago it died while I was driving and it turned out to be the main fuel pump was bad. At least seems that way after the pump was replaced with an after-market NAPA part. In two month after that, I started have this intermittent no-start problem.

At first, I checked to make sure the fuel system was good and sparks was there. All seems okay. But it would not start still. I could wait 15-45 mins and eventually it would roll over and started. This was getting worse now that I could spend more than a couple hours trying and it still won't start. It just keeps on cranking. Checked both engine control module and emission control module according Bentley book, couldn't anything wrong. I got battery replaced 2 months ago but that did not fix the problem. May be a little better first not that case anymore. I even tried to remove negative battery terminal after I got it started to see the alternator working ok, it seem no problem even battery disconnected after start. I can start once in a while but never predictable base on weather, temperature, humidity or any environmental factor.

Interesting thing is if I get it started and driving, it will not die (at least has not yet) on me until I shut it down and try to restart it. A lot of times, no start.

Any one has any idea what could be not working?

Thanks you.

CJC147

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Intermittent starting problem 200 1989

posted by pageda on Fri Jul 11 08:27 CST 2008
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last visit: Fri Oct 24 13:18 CST 2014

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Three likely problem areas are the fuel pump relay and the crank position sensor mounted on the top of the bell housing behind the head. Look for frayed wire insulation at the sensor and replace it if it is.
Place a jumper on the left side of fuses 4 and 6, if the car starts the fuel pump relay needs to be replaced or the circuit board re- soldered.
The 25 amp fuse near the battery can be corroded contacts in the fuse holder or at the connection to the battery. It is best to replace the fuse holder with a water proof marine unit.
Dan

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Intermittent starting problem 200 1989

posted by cjc147 on Fri Jul 11 11:41 CST 2008
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last visit: Sat Jul 26 18:06 CST 2008

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Hi, I have a waterproof fuse holder from IPD near my battery area. That should be fine. The fuel pump is only 8 months old and I actually tested the fuel flow around engine compartment and look fine. Could it be the only thing left is the crank position sensor? Thanks for the hints. I'll re-check the pump relay and sensor.

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Intermittent starting problem 200 1989

posted by Smitty on Fri Jul 11 12:01 CST 2008
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last visit: Sat Aug 9 22:44 CST 2014

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"...that should be fine..."

Maybe so, but do open that puppy up and LOOK at the fuse.

At the risk of repeating this story for the 99th time, my '88 had a no-start situation. Jumpered the FP fuses, it started right up. A known good fuel pump relay made no difference. Pulled the fuse out of the underhood fuse holder (fuseholder haveing already been replaced once before) and it LOOKED good. For kicks I put the meter on it and got the nice "beep" indicating continuity. Good to go, right? Nope. A couple days later out of sheer frustration I replaced the fuse, and she started right up.

I double-checked the old fuse, but this time I measure the resistance, rather than just checking for continuity. The fuse had a resistance over 100K ohms... should have been a fraction of an ohm!

So, humor me... check the fuse, maybe even replace it.
--
No one ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American public - H.L. Mencken

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Intermittent starting problem 200 1989

posted by cjc147 on Fri Jul 25 07:38 CST 2008
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last visit: Sat Jul 26 18:06 CST 2008

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I had a local private Volvo shop worked on this. It is the main fuel pump relay intermittent contact and crank speed sensor causing the problem.

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Intermittent starting problem 200 1989

posted by matt b on Fri Jul 11 07:15 CST 2008
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last visit: Tue Oct 14 16:33 CST 2014

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Firstly, Don't pull the battery terminal to check the charging system... yea, back in the old days of generators you could do that, but not new cars with alternators. You can (and often will) blow the diodes in there...

As for your no start thing.. I can't help much. I can say, if it cranks over.. it ain't the battery. My first guess would be fuel pump not pumping, likely due to the relay. A '90 though is way too new for me to be able to help.. I don't know which fuses to jump to bypass the relay, or even where you might find said relay.

Surely someone else will reply with better details.

Good luck with it! I hope your alternator still works...

--
-Matt I ♥ my ♂

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Intermittent starting problem 200 1989

posted by cjc147 on Fri Jul 11 11:34 CST 2008
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last visit: Sat Jul 26 18:06 CST 2008

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Thanks Matt, I hear you. My alternator still works since I did manage to get it started again after the test. Is there a good way to find out the weak alternator?

Fuel pump is a good place to start troubleshooting but I did pull the fuel line before it gets to fuel injection intake and it does pumping the fuel. I know it is dangerous but got to try it. And, I know where the fuel pump relay is and followed the book to verify its operation but could not find anything wrong. All seems normal.

That's where I stuck. Thanks anyway.

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