This is a 1998 C70 Coupe with 222k on it.

Was traveling across the state to see family today. We got about 130 miles from home when I stopped for gasoline at a QuickTrip. Pulled into the wrong pump (for my fuel door) so I tried to restart the car and move it...

I cranked and the engine did not start. Crank repeatedly and still got nothing.

Removed several of my specialized tools and spare parts from the car so I had no code-reader or other diagnostic tools on hand.

Car cranks and crank, but just doesn't fire up - hot or cold.
This is new and had no real indication of trouble before we left.

I opened the fitting on the fuel rail, plenty of fuel in there. Later, checked pressure on the schrader valve and still got plenty of fuel coming out.

I have no way to know if my injectors are firing, or if my sparks are firing, or if some other sensor or relay bought it.

All I've got to on is this
1) The fuel level is about 1/8th tank.

2) All fuses (main bus and smaller) are fine.

3) I replaced by wiper relay 2 days ago, and had to remove the blue and orange relays to get to the wiper relay. Those two relays only fit one way and I'm sure they are installed correctly.

4) Started the car at 12:00, drove it solid for 2 hours averaging 70mph. Car had lots of power and easy acceleration. However, I felt a few little jumps on the trip. I initially thought the jumps were rough shifts from the auto transmission, now I'm thinking that they were something else.

5) When cranking, I get an oil light, battery light, shift light, and check engine light.

I have got to get this car back on the road on the 26th. If it can't be fixed in-situ, then I *have* to rent a car-carrier and pull it back with the 940.

A good friend ferried me and my family home for Christmas, but the car is stranded back where it broke down.

Any ideas are appreciated.


--edit--
was wondering if the cam position sensor could be the problem? I've read that they fail and this seems similar...

--edit again--
Folks at Turbobricks and MVS are giving the thumbs to CPS failure.
Maybe I can fix this baby and get her home...

Nobody, but nobody had a freaking CPS in stock. All the parts stores said "we can have one tomorrow" Even NAPA, who wanted $240 for one and had one at the warehouse. Of the three Volvo dealers in town, two were open, and both parts departments were closed.

So, headed out to a local Pick-n-Pull - and ever single 850/70-series that would have had a CPS was missing the CPS. I also wrecked my T40 Torx bit trying to remove a plug from a similar looking engine in a 94 850...

By luck, I ran into a local guy who bought some wheels from me a couple weeks back.
He confirmed that one yard on my list has *zero* Volvos in the yard, so I buzzed over to the #3 yard on my list (in the next state).

Here I finally got lucky.

The first car had a CPS... but it was filled with a creamy brown mix of oil and water... The next had a CPS, but someone has ripped off the plug... The next had a CPS covered in oil, but had a good clean interior. And the last one.. had a pristine looking CPS. I grabbed the three complete sensors (plus some interior bits for my 940).

My wife and I hopped into the aforementioned 940 and we drove the 117 miles back to attempt to rescue the c70.

My stomach was in knots the whole way - not knowing if the car would even be there, or if the part would even fix it. We also had a tight timeline to get home and pick my daughter up from here day care.

So... arrived at the gas station. Found the car perfect and unmolested (Thanks QuickTrip!), I popped the hood. Unbolted the old CPS (using a combo of a T40 bit, socket and 3/8 to 1/4 reducer.

Then it started to rain on us.

I put a new CPS with just the top bolt (the bottom being almost inaccessible)... I crossed my fingers and gave the key a twist.

She started right up. It had a CEL on the computer. I pulled the code and it was "Bad Crank Position Sensor" I cleared the code out and she was back to her old speedy self.

We just got both cars home and it is now raining ice. Total Cost - $30 in parts (including the 900-series bits) and a tank of fuel for the 940 ($50).

I couldn't feel better than I do right now. We made it back in time to pick up the kiddo and we can watch the ice fall knowing both our cars are ready to take us to work tomorrow.

So, thanks to everyone who weighed in. This Christmas I learned to never take my code reader out of the car and to have a spare CPS in the trunk for all my high-mileage 70-series cars.

We live and learn. Happy Holidays.

Had a similar issue recently -- no start, and no codes, damp and misty night. Started fine the next day. I found the distributor cap was slightly loose and appeared to be letting some moisture in. I cleaned the cam cover real well where the cap mounts and reassembled. Also I figured the coil could die without generating a code, so I replaced that, also. (original coil, '98 V70, 326k). Hope this helps.

yeah, checked that and found everything secured.

Of all the rotten luck. My first reaction is the CPS failed. A generic code reader will tell you.

But the shift light is also on? Again, the CPS.

Klaus
--
My advice is free, so you got what you paid for...

The shift light being on as a symptom is also helpful.

I'm almost kicking myself for removing my code reader from the trunk before leaving. It's been in there for months - maybe over a year, and this is the first time I've every removed it from the car.

Yeah, rotten luck, but got the chance to spend some time with friends/family before getting back home.

The real challenge tomorrow is getting a replacement sensor from someplace where it's in stock. Seems like it's a two-day-plus order for everyone - or it's "at the warehouse"

It's a crap-shoot at the junkyards.

Getting it in-hand tomorrow is my #1 priority.

CPS also supplies the rpm to the tranny to allow the torque converter to lock up. What you probably felt on the highway was the lockup releasing.

I wish I could help, but I don't have one on my bench.

Everything is supposed to be closed on the 26th.

Klaus
--
My advice is free, so you got what you paid for...

Man.. I'm hoping something is open tomorrow. There are three Volvo dealers in St. Louis and a dozen or more parts places, plus at least four pick-n-pull junkyards...

Someone has to have something.

Sounds like it very well could be the CPS. That's where I'd start. I've never had a CPS go, but I've certainly read plenty about them going on the RWD forums. As you know they can go without warning. Just woke up after a late X-mas eve. If I think of anything else I'll post again.

Good Luck!