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why wont it start? 200 1981

posted by  Rota on  Tue Feb 4 10:57 CST 2003
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last visit: Thu Aug 14 15:44 CST 2014
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Hi all! 1981 240 with a weird history
Long time no posting, Volvo has been running great!
For no apparant reason, it wont start.
Been starting fine, running well, just very abrubtly wont start anymore.
When i turn the key the starter cranks, the engine turns over, it fires, but wont keep running.
It sounds almost like it's flooded, but no matter how much, little, or no gas i give it, it wont keep going after the starter is disengaged.
I tried giving it no gas, pumping it, pedal to the floor etc.. time in between to dry out if it was flooded. probably 30 times it sounded like it was about to start, then it wouldnt keep firing.
Spark plugs and wires are fine.
Fuel pumps are fine.
Fuses are fine.
Only thing i can think of that might be different is someone else put gas in it the other day, not at my usual station. My usual is 89 octane and cheap, he put in 88 octane expensive (maybe the cleaners in the expensive gas?)
Any ideas would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Delphine







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    why wont it start? 200 1981

    posted by  Rota on  Wed Feb 5 09:26 CST 2003
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    last visit: Thu Aug 14 15:44 CST 2014
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    Hi, thank you all for suggestions. I'm too sick to play with the car today, will get back to it soon.
    I have no ballast resistor (i think this has come up before and my mechanic explained why i dont, and that it's ok)
    The spark continues after the starter is disengaged (its not easy to test this by yourself, involves clotheshangers)
    Plan for next step is going to be make certain gas is flowing, checking for obstructions in the lines (i just love the taste of gas :P)
    Will also make sure the pumps and relays are ok, but i think they are. i can hear them when i try to start it.
    Tossed the battery on the charger last night, figured trying to start it so many times has probably worn it down a bit.
    Weirdest thing about this is it was such a sudden thing. Drove fine for months, then just wont start. Weird.
    If ya'll think of anything else, please post it, i'll check here before i go out to work on the car when i feel better (tomorrow?)
    Thanks!!
    Delphine








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    why wont it start? 200 1981

    posted by  someone claiming to be trev29 on  Tue Feb 4 11:07 CST 2003 [RELATED]

    It may be your ballast resistor if you have one. On my car it's found on the passenger side near the wiper motor. It's a marker thick metal tube with connections at either end. Check to see if connection are solid. Let us know result.








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    why wont it start? 200 1981

    posted by  Don Foster on  Tue Feb 4 11:07 CST 2003
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    last visit: Sun Oct 5 11:53 CST 2014
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    Check to see if the spark quits when you release the key from "crank" to "run" position.
    --
    Don Foster (near Cpe Cod, MA)








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      why wont it start? 200 1981

      posted by  Rota on  Tue Feb 4 12:13 CST 2003
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      last visit: Thu Aug 14 15:44 CST 2014
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      Hm.
      Things i hadnt thought of. i'll go out and play with it...
      Thanks!
      Keep ideas coming!
      I hate driving my moms car :P
      Delphine








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        it starts! and a silly story 200 1981

        posted by  Rota on  Thu Feb 6 12:06 CST 2003
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        last visit: Thu Aug 14 15:44 CST 2014
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        Hi all
        My car is starting!
        I have to admit i'm not really sure why.
        I took apart the fuel system, cleaned everything, blew out all the lines, replaced the filters etc. Nothing looked damaged, nothing looked clogged.
        But when i got it back together, it starts quite nicely.
        So i never figured out WHY it failed, or what fixed it. but it runs. weird :)
        Thank you to all who gave help... :D

        I am in the desert, its nice and warm, i'm working on my base tan for the year, so i was wearing just undies and suntan lotion, had the car in bits, tools all over, and a guy came to deliver water... oops. i told him if he has never seen a naked chubby white chick before, it was time he was educated :)
        He asked what i was doing, chatted engines, was generally stunned by a female fixing cars, especially a naked one :) said i had made his day :)
        Delphine








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          it starts! and a silly story 200 1981

          posted by  jbowser on  Thu Feb 6 12:37 CST 2003
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          last visit: Fri Dec 24 08:36 CST 2010
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          Hmmm, I know NM is somewhat warm in the summertime but it is now the MIDDLE OF WINTER!!! I know here in TX today was absolutely miserable, rainy, cold, couldn't even remotely imagine running around outside nekkid! My toes were numb just after the time it took me to change out tail light assemblies this afternoon!

          Have fun, I think...

          Justin B.
          83 244 Turbo







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