'93 850 won't start

I have a '93 850 GLT w/ 200k miles that was running great. Now it will
turn over but won't start. I replaced the spark plugs before this all
happened and started up for a minute- it ran fine. 2 days later I went
to start and it doesn't fire up. I pulled 2 plugs to see a healthy
spark in each and put a little gas in each cylinder but still it won't
fire. Have had a service light on for a couple of weeks but thought
that was just a maintenance warning. Is there some electronic gotcha
that's preventing the engine from running and am I at the mercy of
towing it to a dealer? How do I clear service light?
Stevo

 

Steve,
On the driver's end of the fuel rail is a cap that looks like a tire valve
cap. Unscrew it and push in the center to see if you have fuel pressure. If
you do not, peel back the trunk carpet and access the round panel that is on
the trunk floor directly behind the right rear seat. There is two, the one
toward the right side. Tap the top of the fuel pump with a rubber mallet and
have someone crank the car while tapping. If the engine starts, you will
need a new fuel pump.

 

Steve,

I had the same thing 2 times. It was the fuel pump relay in both cases. The
relay is behind the ash tray and the fuse block. If you tap the relays back
there while trying to start it may actually start a few times before the
relay jambs again. I think it was the relay in the middle. If you get it to
run, take 1 relay out at a time, the one that stalls the car is the fuel
pump.

low cost item if you do it.

good luck

BobZ

 

I finally got my car started, but can't pin down magic cure. I checked
the pressure valve on the fuel injector and got a small squirt of gas-
wasn't sure if this was supposed to spray out with more force? Tapped
the relays which are located under hood up against the driver's side
windshield and the fuel pump thru access door in trunk. Then cranked
over many times for short periods (put charger on in between to avoid
killing battery)- didn't want to ruin my starter either! Also pulled
the plugs again and dried off. When it started I let it run for 10
minutes and took out on highway for 10 miles. Have put on 100 miles
since and started cold and hot without any more problems. Didn't
replace anything and saved tow charges. So was it flooded? relay stuck?
or valves stuck in the cold as told to me by another person?? Thanks
for suggestions.
Steve

 

sounds like fule pump issue......when (if) it does
it again...just tap the fule pump (under the drivers seat)
mine did this and once tapped, it started right up...indicating
the pump was about to "meet its maker"......

 

Where exactly is the Fuel Pump located at, plz?

I have the exact same proble.

Volvo 1993, GLT 220K miles.

 

WOW.
Problem solved - short term of course.

In short it was raining for the past few days and it was very humid,
and yes you guessed it, my Volvo didn’t like it.

I need to replace the distributor cap along with the wiring and the
plugs, all of this is fine. However the solution to start my car was
new to me, but it seems my friends new about this trick, but of course
didn’t mention it to me when I NEEDED IT.

The towing guy sprayed half a can of WD-40, seems it removes all
humidity from the wires and the dis. cap.

hahaha, I feel like an idiot, but at least I can drive my car to the
garage now.

Hope this helps another poor soul like me.