Hi all,

Originally posted in 940/1991 with limited feedback, posting to a wider audience in hopes of some additional help.

We just got our 1st Volvo, a 91, 940se, the engine is a B230FT. Turned the car off one day and it just kept running. After playing with the ignition switch for a while it finally complied. This was a single occurrence in the one week we've owned the car. While investigating a stereo speaker issue I couldn't help but notice that someone had installed a remote car starter, the installation was a hack job and since I didn't have the starter I decided to remove it. I've installed them before so am comfortable with the operation. While doing so I noticed that someone had repaired a short in the harness. From what I can tell the shorted harness consists of a single black wire running from the fog lamp switch to a relay in front of the console (under the radio) where there are a bank of relays. The relay also had another torched wire; I think it was orange and white. The relay in question is the one closest to the rear of the car in the panel. I believe the relay is working as evidenced by the clicking sound when the key is turned on. This repair was a real hack job so cleaned it up as well, solder, shrink tubing, wire ties, etc... I like things neat and orderly!

Having completed both repairs, removing the remote starter and cleaning up the harness issue now the car won't start??

I'm pretty certain this is a coincidence. I should have perused the glove box a bit more carefully prior to purchasing this vehicle because I've found a wealth of history that may have changed my mind. Although there is no mention of the remote started being installed, which I'm now convinced caused the short in the harness based on the sloppy installation, there is mention of a number of other electrical items being replaced. The repair history reads as follows:

11/07/2001
The following items were replaced:
- Power Stage Module (Ignition Control Unit ??)
- Crank Sensor (Reference/Hall Sensor ??)
- Fuel Pump Relay
- Electronic Control Module ECM (Control Module EZ-K (DI) system ??)(used)
NOTE: Sounds to me like they were hunting for the golden nugget and found one!

05/02/2002
Repaired a shorted harness.

OK, here's what I've done so far to resolve this issue:

Retraced my steps in removing the starter and repairing the harness short.

Read the various FAQ's on troubleshooting ignition issues, from what I gather there are the following components, an ignition switch, Hall (reference) sensor, Ignition Control (Power Stage) Module, the coil, cap, rotor, etc., not to mention the ECM. Since all of these things were replace 2 yrs ago is it possible they are bad again?

There is a post in particular by abe crombie referring to a 87/740(http://www.brickboard.com/ARCHIVES/2000OCT/20109955.shtml) that gives details regarding testing the "hall sensor" and "power stage" that leaves me puzzled. He mentions unplugging the hall sensor connector inside the distributor?? I'm hoping this has changed on my 91/940 because the connector is on the firewall. He also mentions a reading of 5v from the blue wire, my reading is 3v. Also, I get no spark as mentioned in his diagnostic scenario. He goes on to mention, "The power stage can be checked only by checking all the inputs and if they are all there and still no spark then it is bad. The power stage needs a power supply, two grounds (one is just a connection to the shielding wire for the signal wire), a connection to coil, and the gray wire carrying the signal from ignition ECU to trigger the power stage amplifier circuit to complete ground for primary of coil." I checked the grounds, the one direct ground is good but the one used as a shielding I'm guessing can't be tested as such. There's power, and the wire to the coil tests ok. Looking at this unit it certainly doesn't look as if it was replaced 2 years ago, it actually looks original.

So, to sum up this scenario, I turn the key to Position III and get all dash lights, fuel pump in tank kicks in, when I turn to crank, the starter cranks fine but I get no spark, no power to the coil. That’s about it! If you anyone can think of something else, please let me know!

Thanks for your expertise!

- Jeff