Volvo turns over but won;t start

[Coby Herd]

My 1991 240 DH
turns over but will not start. We had a terrible rain storm the other day
so I took off the distributor cap and made sure no moisture was present,
even took fingernail file and made sure the contact points were fresh. Can
you tell me how to check and see if I'm getting spark? Do I start at the
solenoid and work my way down? Also as per the check engine codes from A2 to
A6, is there
a way I can find out what all of the codes mean? thanx for any help.

Coby from Brooklyn

 

[Nick Zervas]

Coby:

I learned this from my local Volvo shop a few months ago...

Check your fuses for the fuel injection/fuel pumps, both at the fuse panel in the driver's side footwell and also the 25A blade fuse located next to the high-beam relay behind the
battery. Check wires leading from and to also and make sure they are not too corroded.

Checking for spark is kind of a pain and painful. Basically, you remove each spark
plug one at a time, attach it to its wire, and observe the tip while someone cranks the
engine. WEAR HEAVY GLOVES! If you have spark, then you are all set. If not, remove the
plug and hold the end of the wire near a ground, like the top of the valve cover. Once
again, check for spark and be prepared for a jolt. If you get spark, then you can
rule out the wires. Check the high-tension lead between the coil and the distributor
cap in the same way. Sounds like you've ruled out the cap and rotor. Cool.

It's usually not a spark issue but a fuse issue. I hate to have to see you checking
for spark and getting zapped all the time. Good luck!

NickZ

 

[Robert Dietz]

Coby:

I learned this from my local Volvo shop a few months ago...

Check your fuses for the fuel injection/fuel pumps, both at the fuse panel in the driver's side footwell and also the 25A blade fuse located next to the high-beam relay behind the
battery. Check wires leading from and to also and make sure they are not too corroded.

Checking for spark is kind of a pain and painful. Basically, you remove each spark
plug one at a time, attach it to its wire, and observe the tip while someone cranks the
engine. WEAR HEAVY GLOVES! If you have spark, then you are all set. If not, remove the
plug and hold the end of the wire near a ground, like the top of the valve cover. Once
again, check for spark and be prepared for a jolt. If you get spark, then you can
rule out the wires. Check the high-tension lead between the coil and the distributor
cap in the same way. Sounds like you've ruled out the cap and rotor. Cool.

It's usually not a spark issue but a fuse issue. I hate to have to see you checking
for spark and getting zapped all the time. Good luck!

NickZ

When checking spark on a car with electronic ignition, use either a
spark tester or old spark plug with the plug body grounded to the
engine. Pushing the ignition to produce a maximum spark can be fatal to
the control unit. Absorbing a huge spark through your body can be fatal.

Bob