Back on May 1st, my 85 240DL wouldn't start one morning. I tried it later on that afternoon and it started but then stopped again just like that. I had fuel and it cranked and cranked very strong. I got lots of help from my last post but I still couldn't figure it out. I changed the ignition coil and the plugs and cap and rotor but still nothing till May 16th. I had not touch the thing for about 5 days and then decided to try it again that day (May 16) and it started right up!!! I was amazed! I can't figure out what happened. So far it keeps starting right up. The only thing is now I am a bit nervous about driving it too far from home as I never know if it might not start up the next time. I know my wire harness has some sad looking wires (a few fried looking) and I assume it may be some sort of electric problem. Or what else could it be?

Do I have a miracle car?

Any suggestions. Can a shop do a check on this sort of thing?

I am in Los Angeles area. Can anyone suggest a good Volvo shop to go to.

Thanks

/// There has been a recent thread on this.

No spark---Does every thing else work, radio, wipers? If not start with the battery and follow the voltage path to the electronics. You are looking for a bad joint, battery cables, or connector, wiring and plugs, going to the engine electronics. It will only be evident when the car won't start. Nothing will show up when it cranks.

Once those are eliminated, use a test light or meter to determine if you have a pulse at the coil. If no pulse, go to the pick up for that coil signal. I don't have your mod. If you have a crank shaft pick up or a sensor in the distributor go there and find the firing signal. You will need a meter for that low voltage/current signal.

You replaced the coil. Use an old spark plug to observe spark. Clamp it to engine ground and put a plug wire on it. There should be a resistor in the top of the rotor, it can open or the high voltage wire from the coil to the distributor could be open.

You are reporting a sudden stop. Bad plug wires would have given poor performance for some time. Observe the engine in absolute darkness for sparks where there should be none.

Check recent posts on wire harness.