Will not start

Tiny
KAITLYNN GREEN
  • MEMBER
  • 1991 VOLVO 240
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 140,000 MILES
My car wont start, even though I have related damn near everything in it. New fuel pumps, new aic, new position sensor, new ignition coil, new spark plugs, new fuel injectors, new rotor and cap, new temperature gauge, newer exhaust system really, everything except the ECU and EZK have been replaced. Took the ECU out, removed all the corrosion and build up and it ran perfectly for four days, now back to no start. It will crank and the tailpipe releases smoke like substance each time I try to fire it up. I am at the end of my rope here. Any suggestions?
Tuesday, July 5th, 2016 AT 9:50 AM

6 Replies

Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
I guess it is time to do the testing and stop throwing parts at it.

All "crank, no start" conditions are approached in the same way. Every engine requires certain functions to be able to run. Some of these functions rely on specific components to work and some components are part of more than one function so it is important to see the whole picture to be able to conclude anything about what may have failed. Also, these functions can only be tested during the failure. Any other time and they will simply test good because the problem is not present at the moment.
If you approach this in any other way, you are merely guessing and that only serves to replace unnecessary parts and wastes money.

Every engine requires spark, fuel and compression to run. That is what we have to look for.

These are the basics that need to be tested and will give us the info required to isolate a cause.

1) Test for spark at the plug end of the wire using a spark tester. If none found, check for power supply on the positive terminal of the coil with the key on.

2) Test for injector pulse using a small bulb called a noid light. If none found, check for power supply at one side of the injector with the key on.

3) Use a fuel pressure gauge to test for correct fuel pressure, also noticing if the pressure holds when key is shut off.

4) If all of these things check good, then you would need to do a complete compression test.

Once you have determined which of these functions has dropped out,
you will know which system is having the problem.
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Tuesday, July 5th, 2016 AT 10:32 AM
Tiny
KAITLYNN GREEN
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I had taken it down this spring to my local Volvo repair shop and they did the whole slew of tests. From what I understand everything checked out because the car started right up when they looked at it. They told me it was a bad fuel pump and to replace it if the car did not start again. Replaced them, same problem.

My grandfather, who has worked on more tHan his fair share of cars in his life, has been helping me with this and all of the tests come back perfectly, making this even more baffling. We even checked timing and it is perfect.
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Tuesday, July 5th, 2016 AT 10:45 AM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
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  • 20,761 POSTS
That simply cannot be true. If it passed every single one of those tests, the car would be running.
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Tuesday, July 5th, 2016 AT 10:51 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
I would remove the spark plugs and look at them to see if they are fouled or not, then when it doesn't start there must be a reason much like Wrenchtech says, so one of the systems is letting you down lets find out which one it is so we can go from there, here is a guide that will help you.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

Let us know what you find.

Best, Ken
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Tuesday, July 5th, 2016 AT 2:44 PM
Tiny
JIS001
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,411 POSTS
The main relay has always been a problem on these cars. It is located behind the sound proof panel on passenger side (underneath glove box). The main relay turns on the computer and energizes the fuel pump. Check it next time it wont start. Open up the main relay by removing t he cover. When you turn the switch on, you should see both contacts close. When it wont start and one of the contacts fails to close, gently close the contact. If it starts up replace the main relay. Hope this helps.
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Tuesday, July 5th, 2016 AT 6:24 PM
Tiny
JIS001
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,411 POSTS
Added a picture.
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Tuesday, July 5th, 2016 AT 6:26 PM

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