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Dummy Questions For New 850 Owner - Code, No Start

Started by Guest_New850_* , Feb 25 2005 08:00 PM

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#1 Guest_New850_*

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Posted 25 February 2005 - 08:00 PM

Hi Volvo folks! Long-time Saab DIY wrencher joining your ranks....

I recently acquired a very-low-mileage (only 275,000 miles) 1995 850 Wagon 5 speed. Took it from its most recent owner who is giving up on her after struggling with a mysterious no-start situation.

Basically, the car cranks away like a champ, I can hear the fuel pump, but there's no sign of the car even trying to catch. Sounds like no spark. I haven't tested for spark yet -- any tips for that procedure, so as not to fry anything, myself included?

Couple questions, along with my assumptions on possible answers:

1. Did a code check, but only BEFORE I cranked the engine. Oops. After six months of dead battery, there won't be any codes to retrieve, will there? Got 1-1-1. Will try again. By the way, where do you put the test lead when you're done with it? I left it dangling for fear I'd damage something if I plugged it into one of the sockets.

2. Only checked A2 socket -- should I be checking the other sockets for this car? How can I tell which system I've got? Motronic? Fenix? Does my manual tell me?

3. Hunch, based on this board's postings under "no start": Cam Sensor. Looking at that sensor, it looks old, but the retaining screws have obviously been dealt with at some point due to the toolmarks in them. Could have been the previous mechanic putting the old one back after a new one failed to fix? Or it's been replaced before but needs to be done again. Also looks like the crank sensor is kinda recent.

I've got a couple hundred into this car so I'm not planning to turn the thing inside out fixing it. Just screwing around at this point. But heck, if the car will run, it might just be a real handy addition to the fleet!

Thanks in advance for all of your tips, insults, or offers of money. I must say that even with its accumulation of popcorn, candy wrappers, and God knows what other kid-sourced detritus, this is still a neat car!

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#2 Bay13

Level 5 Member

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6,378 posts

Posted 25 February 2005 - 08:07 PM

Search for Italian tune up that might help if you have spark.

To check spark pull the coil wire off the distributor and ground it while cranking, Ground it on one of the strut top bolts that are right there, if you get a nice spark then you more than likely should try the Italian tune up.