Hi all, I have a 1986 Volvo 740 GL that needed a water pump replaced, So I replaced the water pump and drove the car only about 3/4's a mile and the car overheated so bad that it shut down on it's own. After that the car ran only about 5 min and then to about 20sec and now it seems to have lost it's spark and won't start at all. I have replaced the distributor cap and the rotor button and it still won't start?! Any Ideas??? Should I start checking around for something else or should I have the car towed and fixed at the dealer???? Thanks, TractorMike

Tractor Mike,
I'm the guy who gave you this link from the tractor board. Look up top on this board, click on features, then 700/900Faqs. Lots of good info, troubleshooting. I have an 85 740, not that hard to work on. Post back with your progress.

Thanks, I will give an update as I make progress. So far I have replaced the distributor cap and rotor button and a $70.00 coil, And I still have nothing??? So... I am still searching. Hopefully I will find this bug soon. TractorMike

Check the distributor very closely, mark it and remove it after removing the cap and rotor. Check that the three wires from the hall sensor to the plug are in good shape and that the plastic plug in firm in the distributor plate. If not the plastic housing can be gotten from a dealer for a few bucks and the contacts carefully removed from the old one and installed in the new one. This plug must be secure in the same way that the points wire had to be there in an old style distributor.

If the tach needle doesn't bounce when you're grinding the starter then you most likely have no spark. If that is the case, try the power stage, on the left fender well. I have never heard of an engine shutting down on it's own unless there is some major damage done by overheating, though.
-Steve