I exhausted every avenue and replaced several good parts before I found this. I had transmission mode selector lights that would start flashing as soon as the key was turned on. Also the up shift arrow on the dash would flash on & off as well. I finally got it to fail with no spark on 2 adjacent cylinders at the same time. Since the ignition control modules for the even & odd cylinders are seperated that eliminated that possibility. The only thing those have in common are the ECM & a ground connection at the left motor mount just above the steering rack. I had checked continuity previously from the bolt to ground and gotten a good reading. This time I removed the bolt and connected both ground wires to a common ground back to the battery negative terminal. As soon as I turned the key and the transmission mode lights didn't flash I knew I was on to something. The 2.9 sprang to life on 4 cyl, the 2 plugs were still removed and were firing like crazy. This is the ground Volvo identifies in their schematic as a "power ground". I'm not sure of the terminology, but I found out if it just sputters and dies and won't restart, look here before buying any parts. These are the individual grounds for the ignition control modules. FWIW. Hope this helps somebody.

Dear another 960 owner,

May this find you well. Might I suggest you submit this for inclusion in the next edition of the FAQs. That way, your very useful findings will be easily accessible, to anyone, who meets with the problem you came across.

See the FAQs, under FEATURES, above, for how to submit items for inclusion int the FAQs.

Yours faithfully,

spook

Done.

Just a point of clarification.... when you say left motor mount, you do mean the one on the driver's side, correct?

Thanks for the follow-up.

DEWFPO
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1998 S90 070,350 and 1995 964 153,650

That's correct, the drivers side motor mount.(USA) There are 2 black wires that exit the harness approx 3 inches long with a crimped terminal on each. The bolt also acts to secure a corner of a plastic shield for the wire harness. This is a 96 960 with the Bosch Motronic 4.4 ignition system.

That's correct, the drivers side motor mount.(USA) There are 2 black wires that exit the harness approx 3 inches long with a crimped terminal on each. The bolt also acts to secure a corner of a plastic shield for the wire harness. This is a 96 960 with the Bosch Motronic 4.4 ignition system.

That's correct, the drivers side motor mount.(USA) There are 2 black wires that exit the harness approx 3 inches long with a crimped terminal on each. The bolt also acts to secure a corner of a plastic shield for the wire harness. This is a 96 960 with the Bosch Motronic 4.4 ignition system.

Great tip. It's amazing what problems a poor ground can create.
Richard
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86 740T/87 745GLE/96 960 Wagon

Yea, it causes things to be rewired in a manor no one ever expected it to be, with many new connections. Great puzzler!
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'96 965 with 16' wheels at 119K. Had '85 745 Turbo Diesel for 200K.