Car wont start by key, have to tow it

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cheshire190e
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Car wont start by key, have to tow it

Post by cheshire190e » 20 Dec 2008 02:41 pm

Hi everyone,

My 340 will not start with the key, I have checked to see if there is spark and there is and it is getting fuel. To start the car I have to get it towed up the road and then it will bump start after about 400m

Once it starts it ticks over really sloppy but then gets better as it warms up.

Could this be a sensor gone of some sort?

Help please :D

Thanks alot
Matt
1987 Volvo 340 1.7

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petefarrell360
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Post by petefarrell360 » 21 Dec 2008 01:00 am

Off the top of my head for non starting check the crank position sensor on the bellhousing, they can get dirty or gunked up.

Pete
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Post by volvodspec » 21 Dec 2008 10:22 am

petefarrell360 wrote:Off the top of my head for non starting check the crank position sensor on the bellhousing, they can get dirty or gunked up.

Pete
nope, if the crank position sensor is faulting the car won't start at all.

check the battery and alternator. and take a hammer or a wrench and smash a few times on the starter motor.
Last edited by volvodspec on 21 Dec 2008 10:24 am, edited 1 time in total.

cheshire190e
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Post by cheshire190e » 21 Dec 2008 11:49 am

Hi,

Cheers for the replys. I was thinking crank angle sensor but I didnt realise it wouldnt start atall.

More to add, tried starting the car today and it wouldnt go atall. even after towing it round the block.

Could this be the sensor after all then? on the starter motor side, it turns over with the key but just doesnt fire.

Cheers for the help
1987 Volvo 340 1.7

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Chris_C
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Post by Chris_C » 21 Dec 2008 01:21 pm

If there is spark, CPS is working. They do go intermittent though, so check the spark again when it's not firing.

Will it actually crank on the starter motor?
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cheshire190e
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Post by cheshire190e » 21 Dec 2008 05:54 pm

No it wont crank round on the starter motor, just keeps goin chu chu chu chu chu chu and nothing.
1987 Volvo 340 1.7

classicswede
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Post by classicswede » 21 Dec 2008 10:31 pm

Could be cranks snesor but as Chris says you will not get a spark. If it is sparking have you tried Lynx? Spray a bit in as you crank over.
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Post by pettaw » 21 Dec 2008 11:47 pm

Your battery connections are duff, either the positive end or the earth end.

Check both ends of each, particularly where the main starter cable bolts onto the main battery, if the proper Volvo crimped one has been replaced with one where you cut the cable and bolt the battery clamp onto it you'll need to take that apart and clean it properly and make sure its screwed back in properly.

Next favourite is the engine earth where it bolts onto the engine. Once you've got the proper 12V going through the system I have a feeling all your other problems will resolve but if not get back to us once you van get it cranking over properly.

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Post by sven360 » 22 Dec 2008 12:48 am

classicswede wrote:Could be cranks snesor but as Chris says you will not get a spark. If it is sparking have you tried Lynx? Spray a bit in as you crank over.
Do you think perspiration could be the problem here, Dai??? sm14
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cheshire190e
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Post by cheshire190e » 22 Dec 2008 12:40 pm

cheers everyone, ill give that a try.
1987 Volvo 340 1.7

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Post by redline » 22 Dec 2008 02:09 pm

sven360 wrote:
classicswede wrote:Could be cranks snesor but as Chris says you will not get a spark. If it is sparking have you tried Lynx? Spray a bit in as you crank over.
Do you think perspiration could be the problem here, Dai??? sm14
lol, it will be the first and probably the last time you see a load of hot women chasing after a 300 ,

that'll be the lynx affect :lol:
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volvosneverdie
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Post by volvosneverdie » 22 Dec 2008 02:27 pm

Bom Chicka wah waaaaah.

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cheshire190e
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Re: Car wont start by key, have to tow it

Post by cheshire190e » 09 Jan 2009 04:32 pm

the engine is turning over it is just no firing. I have pulled out a plug and there is a spark although not a great one.

am i being stupid here but if there is a spark and its not firing isnt the only thing it could be is not getting fuel?
1987 Volvo 340 1.7

pettaw
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Re: Car wont start by key, have to tow it

Post by pettaw » 10 Jan 2009 10:14 am

I would say so yes. Take the air filter cover off, and pour about an 'egg-cup' worth of petrol directly into the carb barrels. If the car then starts or tries to fire, then you've found your problem. If no go then the 'not so great' spark probably isn't stong enough to overcome the compression.

cheshire190e
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Re: Car wont start by key, have to tow it

Post by cheshire190e » 24 Jan 2009 12:05 pm

Bit of an update.

Up to now we have tried:

Cleaning out the crank position sensor
cleaning up all the plugs
pouring petrol directly into the carb
new inlet manifold as the old one was threaded

Still no joy :(

Basically the car now tries to fire but it just keeps spitting loads of vapor back through the top of the carb. Were absolutely flummoxed as to what it could be now. I have uploaded a video of what the car sounds like when we try to start it.

I really hope one of you may be able to suss out the problem as if not its gonna be getting broken up in a few weeks.

here is the vid:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=SbUtcUa4dYw

sorry about the awful quality it was on a phone at night. but you can hear exactly whats happening.


Hope you can help.

Cheers

Matt
1987 Volvo 340 1.7

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