Volvo Forum : “engine turns over, but won't fire...why?”
engine turns over, but won't fire...why?
1998 Volvo V70 XC AWD 2.4L, 5 cyl.
I recently pulled the engine and transmission in order to replace old seals and gaskets. The car has 225,000 miles and was leaking everywhere, but other than that, the car was running fine. I put the engine back in, and the car turns over strongly, but won’t fire. There is no spark getting to the plugs so I checked the distributor wire coming from the coil. There was no spark either. I have checked the crankshaft positioning sensor and the camshaft positioning sensor. Both check out good. I checked all fuses to make sure none were burnt. All good. I double checked all connectors to all sensors and cleaned them with connector cleaner to ensure good contact. I double checked the timing and alignment marks and even put a compression tool in the number 1 cylinder to make sure that it is on top dead center. There are no codes although I am using a regular code reader not specifically for Volvo's. I have hit rock bottom. Any help on why I am getting no spark? I really need this car to run.
Jacob
how about crank sensor or ecm fuse in fuse box.if crank sensor is not position correct will not fire make sure it is not rubing h.balancer.i think volvo put it their.if not check back of trans if every thing is ok it has to be one of the 2 not to get spark. let me know.
Thanks for following up again! I will get this before long. I have asked the question everywhere and am trying to put all our thoughts together to come up with a solution.
This is an answer I got from another page. ("Did you re-install the ground strap from the engine to the body and/or frame? Also, check the automatic shutdown relay, as it supplies battery voltage to the ignition coils.")
Like I said, the ground strap is good, but I will check the automatic shutdown relay. I haven't checked that yet.
In response to yours, I checked every fuse and they all read good. I rechecked the crank sensor (and the camshaft sensor) but it seems fine and in position. I will buy a new one ($68 new) only if I get nothing out of the automatic shutdown relay which I will do first since I know I haven't checked that. I'm off to the junk yard.
I will definitely check back frequently and let you know the outcome of all this mess. It really has me stumped and I know how valuable the experience is when you figure something like this out so I will definitely share.
Thanks again.
Jacob
MAN! I have rechanged the crank sensor and the camshaft sensor and put a new coil. Nothing. Then I replaced the main engine relay. Still nothing. I located the automatic shutdown relay that the other guy was talking about and there is no lack of voltage to any so I assume they are fine too. Where does that lead me?
How about the neutral start switch on the transmission? This can cause a no-spark situation if it were damaged or disconnected during the engine replacement.
How about the ignition module, usually in the distributor. Also, did you check that distributor was not accidentally installed 180 degrees off?
Well, it ended up being the darn crank sensor for all who wondered. I replaced that sensor twice but with parts from the junk yard. What are the chances that you get 2 bad ones? I ended up loading it and taking it in to the volvo dealer just to keep my sanity. What a crock. On the way home, I got a new code. P0715. Here we go again. Back to checking more sensors!!!! Wish me luck.
Just an emission ordeal on the check engine light. Cleared the light and hasn't come back on since. Taking it in to get the transmission flushed as the fluid was quite black. I would assume the last owner never took care of it. It makes a bit of a shudder when downshifting but am assuming that will go away with the flush. Had this problem a lot worse with an old suburban and doing a complete flush on the tranny took care of it. This volvo shudder is slight in comparison.
Yes, it is running! Had it detailed the other day. What a nice looking car.