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Yet another 88 240 wont start (sometimes)

This is a great forum and Ive been reading for tips and tricks, your opinions will be appreciated. Ive Googled this list for hours and see similiar problems, but not this specific one.

1988 240 GL USA model. About 2 months ago, wont start - cranks good but wont turn over. Tow to the Volvo independent and left overnight. He goes out and it starts, no problem, repeated starts all day. Says spark OK and voltage to main fuel pump OK. We go to pick it up - wont start. He keeps it and the next day same situation, cant make it fail. We figure it is 90% probably main fuel pump so I ask him to change it. Also FP relay. No problem since that time.

Then yesterday, wont start. Tow to the general repair shop, left overnight. Today, he finds lots of spark, lots of fuel to the injector. Pulls plugs - they are fouled, empties something (I forget) lots of additional fuel. He also reattached tiny vaccuum hose that goes from firewall to top of intake manifold (?) Starts OK for him. We go to pick it up - wont start (!) Bring the mechanic out - he gets in and cranks for 10 seconds - it starts. No problems since, but you can understand our concern for reliability.

Some misc information: Changed rotor cap and plugs 3 months ago. Gas was very low yesterday, added 1.5 gallons but still not able to start. Filled the tank after leaving the shop today. Yesterday, I could hear the relay click, but not the whirring of fuel pumps? Am I just not listening at the right time / place? Once started, the thing runs great, no dips in RPM or stalling.

Ideas? AMM? Tank fuel pump? Sensors?

I'll be bringing it back to the independent this week, but in the meantime am looking for ideas. Sorry for the long post, I didnt have time to write a short one.

Don O in ATL

Reply to
dso2001
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I'm starting to sound like a broken record here but check the engine wiring harness, '88 is right on the edge, it may have the updated insulation that doesn't rot, or it may have the old stuff which is cumbling to bits within the outer plastic sheath.

Reply to
James Sweet

wonder if hes parking the car up hill or down hill allowing the fuel to flow in spite of a faulty in tank pump.is you gear shift ok as the contacts maybe out of alignment stopping the car from starting good luck .OOOH AND CHECK THE FUEL RELAY THAT CAUGHT ME OUT ONCE THEY DIDNT SOLDER THE CONTACTS VERY WELL ON THE RELAY.

Reply to
John Robertson

All - I forgot to follow up on this and also to thank those that responded. James Sweet suggested checking the wiring harness and I did - all in very good shape. But I dug in and cleaned and ensured all connections were solid. On the wheel well behind the battery there was 18+ years of gunk etc. When clearing this out I noticed that a couple of wires in the area of the ignition modules had worn insulation so I taped them up - no issues at all in the past 6 weeks.

So thanks again, and happy motoring!

Don O. in ATL

Reply to
dso2001

Reply to
Mr. V

Glad you got it going. Were the wires worn by something or is the insulation crumbling off? If it's crumbling, you have further hidden damage that will come back to bite you later.

Reply to
James Sweet

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