I have a 1987 Volvo 245 GL... Recently, the car suddenly would not start. Prior to this starting issue, the engine ran smoothly, no misfires, no hesitations... Now, the engine cranks strongly (only in Park and Neutral as required with a neutral safety switch) but does not start. I have already checked each of the following:

Fuel pump relay---OK
Spark to spark plugs---OK
Ignition coil---OK
Neutral Safety Switch---OK
Air Mass Meter---OK
Distributor---OK
Vacuum hoses---OK
Fuel Tank---almost full
Timing belt---OK
ECU---OK

The car mysteriously started a few times in the past week or so, but now will not start. The engine continues to crank strongly... I suspect that the intermittent problem may be the external fuel pump...I do not hear any noise from the pump when I turn on the ignition switch except to hear the fuel pump relay click. (I also check for any sounds from the fuel tank by removing the fuel tank cap and listening when the ignition is turned on... No sounds at all...)

Today, after about one week of not being able to start the engine, it suddenly started easily and ran smoothly. Has anyone ever experience an intermittent external fuel pump problem? I got another used Bosch fuel pump and am ready to install it however, I am concerned now that it may be something else.

I welcome any and all thoughts...

Thanks in advance to all!

OnlyVolvo