Hello All,
I know this is vague, I have a 1994 940 T with @ 256,000 miles (one owner) but a few days ago I drove my car home form work and pulled into the drive which has a slight incline, just as I was stopping, the engine just died. Tried to restart, but it would just turnover and not start.

I've since changed the plugs and distributor rotor with the same results.

I don't think the coil(Bosch) has ever been changed to the best of my memory.

***Any trouble shooting pointers?

This has been a great car thus far with the turbo being the only major replacement issue about 5 years ago.

I really appreciate an advice I can get, this is my primary vehicle, thanks.

I have several old bricks that occasionally run into the same problem.
1) Do you have spark? At the plug, if not from the coil?
2) Do you have fuel? Can you hear the fuel pump energize when you turn the key on?

To check for spark,I just purchased an inline Spark Tester to make my life easy, it is available for 12.95 at many locations FCP, Amazon etc and works for all cars. If you don't have one, you can pull the plug and lay it on top of the engine where it is visible and have someone crank the car while you watch it. Spark should be visible. If no spark, pull the ign wire that runs from the coil to the distributor cap from the dist cap and place it near a piece of metal, I used the top of the strut, and again have someone crank the engine while you watch. I had a 740 that at first did not show any spark from the coil, but when I moved it closer it arked very nicely. My Volvo buddy thought that I had jiggled the crank sensor wire (another common ailment) and that is why it worked. If you have spark but no fuel I would replace the fuel pump relay, especially if you have not done so. The next thing I would check is the fuel pump particularly the inline pump on BOSCH fuel systems. There are some other relays in the engine bay that could also be the problem depending on the model, not to mention the crank sensor on top of the xmsn, but hope this helps for a start.

Dear rzh,

Hope you're well. When was the crank (aka RPM) sensor last changed? If this sensor fails - usually due to deteriorated of its insulations sheath, that allows water to get to the wires - the engine computer shuts down the fuel pump. This is aa safety feature: should a collision open a fuel line in the engine bay, a running fuel pump would spray fuel onto a hot engine: fire risk!

If the sensor is about a decade old, it is due for replacement. The crank sensor is mounted in the transmission bell housing. See this site's FAQs for the repair replacement procedure.

Hope this helps.

Yours faithfully,

Spook

Much thanks.

Spook; I can say that I don't think I've changed the RPM sensor within the last 10 yrs or so, maybe 12 yrs ago when we were facing a stalling while driving issue which turned out to be a Relay- Noise Reduction or Fuel Pump can't recall which. Thanks for the advice, I'll look into the RPM sensor.

I guess I need to make notes of the life span of the various sensors and relays since they are prone to fail from heat and age. I tend to get complacent when it just keeps on running, but when it quits...


Amarin; I had actually filled up the day before. I figured there may have been some kind of strain on the system (grasping for straws of course).

Thanks again to both of you.

Check for spark. If none, then they gave you were to look. If you have spark, see if it will start with starting fluid. Need to narrow down, ignition or fuel issue.
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Post Back. That's whats makes this forum work.

Thanks aleekat, I surely will check for spark and I truly hope it's not fuel related, the one thing that has "never" been replaced is the fuel pump and now thermal paste! As I stated in the previous post I will definitely post back.

Thanks again.

If not the CPS then what about the ignition power stage. This needs its thermal paste renewed about every 10 years. If not it can over heat and fail completely.

Either way, you need to check for spark. No spark, then likely one of the two ignition items listed above.

Much thanks,

I had no idea that there was a thermal paste, let alone renewing it! It has never been renewed to the best of my knowledge, I can say for certain that I have never renewed it and as the model/year states, she's 20 yrs old.

Is there a recommended brand of thermal paste to use?

Wow I've learned something new today, thanks again. I will get to it, check for spark and post back on what I find out.

Hello,

Slight incline? Are you driving with nearly empty tank? Fill in more using gasoline container. Or roll the car back to flat surface.

The Bosch coil RARELY have any issue in our cars.

Amarin.