Ok, so my car is officially dead. It turns over, but won't ignite. When I first tried to start it this morning, it fired, sputtered for a second and then died. And now it won't start at all. Seems like I should be able to narrow it down to a shorter list than what the FAQ says. Anyone have a comprehensive list of cheap things to check before I dig deeper or take it to a shop?
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1989 740GL 177k

As one of the first steps, run the OBD tests.

http://www.brickboard.com/FAQ/700-900/EngineOBDCodes.htm

You can identify, or at least eliminate, some of the issues, e.g., Radio Suppression Relay, injectors firing, RPM sensor, from the list.

Tagging on to Dan52's tips, I suggest you test for Ignition Failure first, because that will, by design, prevent any Fuel System operation.
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Bruce Young
'93 940-NA (current) — 240s (one V8) — 140s — 122s — since '63.

Possible causes:
1) Faulty fuel system relay - see FAQ or location in relay tray
2) Faulty Radio supression relay - Located no one or the other shock towers, black about 1" by 1.5" by 2". May be two identical relays. The other is for the coolng fan, swap them and see if the problem is fixed.
3) Faulty hall sensor in distributor or speed sensor on top of the transmission. Car will only have one, but not sure which is on '89 740. Signal output from this sensor is required for the ecu to "turn on" fuel pumps and ignition.
4) Fuse for fuel pump
5) Ignition power stage - driver side inner fender
6) busted timing belt
7) ecu faulty
8) bad coil

If the fuses are OK, check to see if the cam is turning when cranking the engine - remove oil fill cap and observe cam while assistant cranks the engine.

Determine if you have spark and if the main fuel pump is running. Fuel pump can be checked by listening. It is located under the car slightly behind drivers seat. Spark can be checked with old spark plug - lay plug on engine and connect to one of the ignition wires. Observe while cranking and you should see a bright blue spark at the electrodes. If no spark and no fuel suspect one of the relays above or the hall sensor.

You should also check the injectors while cranking. Listen to them for a ticking sound while cranking. Use a mechanics stethascope or the tip of a long screw driver held to the injector and the handle to your ear.

Report back your results for further diagnosis.

Dan

I went around the same list and it ended up being not the coil but a bad coil housing (circut baord and wiring). You can buy a coil by itself from most autoparts houses, but in order to get the housing and electronics that go around the coil, I had to buy both from Volvo dealership - about $120.

Please educate me: What fuel and ignition system is on your car? Rex Regina or Bosch?

Thanks,

Dan

I believe it's Bosch.
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1989 740GL 177k

Scratch that. I got code 144 back from the OBD module, and that points to a Rex Regina ignition system.
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1989 740GL 177k

Code 144 can come from either Rex or Bosch ignition. If you don't have the 6-pin plugged Air Mass Meter in the air duct just after the filter, but instead have a plugged in temp sensor, you have the Bendix/Regina FI, which always comes with Rex ignition.
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Bruce Young
'93 940-NA (current) — 240s (one V8) — 140s — 122s — since '63.