1993 245 wagon.

Our car is being spastic. It randomly won't start. We thought it could be the coil so changed that out. Drove it 30 miles one day. hopped in to go home and no start , finally got it to start an hour later. It won't even turn over. Then it ran fine for a week going here there and everywhere. Went out yard sale ing. Driving down the road it died on us. No start and ended up being towed home. We pulled it off the tow truck and it started right up? So we changed out the coil. Car ran great for a week. Yesterday drove into daughters house, got ready for take off after a visit and it wouldn't start so we pushed it forward, it still wouldn't start. Borrowed her car for the day came back and it started right up. Any ideas on what the heck would cause this? Where do we even start. We've run the codes , nothing will pull up just 1-1-1 so???? Help? Would a relay that is going do this? Weather climate doesn't seem to matter if that helps it can be hot or cold out.

"It won't even turn over."

Clarify that statement. Does it mean the engine with not rotate with the key in KPIII or it will no show signs of creating combustion while it is rotating.

If the former, it is a likely the neutral safety switch.

If the latter, it is likely one of four culprits and the coil was never one of them. You have not reported it ever dying while driving.

"Driving down the road it died on us."

Reading comprehension fail...

That makes it the usual suspects of CPS, Fuel pump relay, ignition power stage, fuel pump fuse (or PAL fuses if equipped).

auto or standard?

I also ask did it turn over or just nothing?

I had the cps go bad off and on for 2 stops( wiggling luckily got it started) before I drove the 50 miles to home and replaced it.

I also had my 89 245 auto neutral safety switch go bad . no go there also.
once again jiggling got me back home for fix.

my woes with 245 automatic

gc

When you say "It won't even turn over"

Do you mean it wont even Crank, Like totally dead? Or it cranks but wont even try to start?
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Hello there,
Knowing where to start is a good question.

Let me back up to where you said it wouldn't even turn over.

I have to ask how old in the battery? You may have a cell in the battery that is "almost" sulphated death. It could be the cell recovers enough continuity, to make the battery a complete circuit each time and then opens again. This can be very random but will get worse, if you have the patience to find out how long that is.

If you have another car with similar size battery it will most likely fit. Love these Volvos as their batteries are not crammed over with engine and accessories.
This way, if the problem moves, you know you found the culprit!
If it's in your car, you get the ah-ha moment! (:-(

Do you have a voltmeter gauge in the dash? If not consider getting one! It gives you a heads up to the charging system condition, like loosening belts, let alone a battery that is waning with age.

Next clean the battery cables and inspect both ends for corrosion.
Clean and tight and you will be alright! At least it's a step. (:-)

The fuse panel is a good suggestion as it does power the ignition switch that heads to the starter!
Ah! Now that chump and it's connections down there can act as an intermittent gremlin too!

They are so reliable that sometimes it's hard to believe that it could be a problem.

Next are the tune up components of the ignition system but that's if it turns over spritely.

In order to have a reliable car, it has to have reliable maintenance and its those things we use everyday we take for granted that usually fail first.

So guess what, with these things I suggested, it is where I would start first!


Phil

As previously noted the main relay and the crank position sensor are the 2 most common actors in this scenario. The relay can usually be fixed by popping off the cover and resoldering the connections, they crack over time. The crank position sensor is an easy swap, be careful of the bolt holding the unit to the bracket. The bracket can break, make it snug, not gorilla tight. On a 230 can't hurt to disconnect the battery and clean the fuse box with a brass bristle brush. Good luck.

Fuel system relay may cause this, could be loose dirty fuses, failing crank position sensor or ant number of other things. When it doesn't start do you have spark and fuel at the spark plugs.
Dan