v40 1.8 won't start

[-chris-]

evening,

my v40 has decided to throw a hissy fit, not sure whether it's because i haven't given it a clean in a while or because i have been talking about replacing it but whatever it was it didn't like it!

i left it sat for a few days over christmas and when i came to go for a drive it wouldn't start.

so far i have tried jumping it from another car and a power pack neither of which helped. i brought a new battery dropped that in but still not starting however did fire a couple of times.

i have just removed and checked all the spark plugs. all of them are sparking and they seemed to be damp with fuel so it looks like they are getting fuel.

it has a full tank so it's not run out of petrol!

if anyone has any ideas of other things i should check/try i would be greatfull.

cheers

chris

[stevo48]

I would buy a set of new Volvo spark plugs, remove the HT leads and take them indoors to dry them out (possibly Damp through being stood) or give them a good spray with damp start or similar then try starting the car again, its probably just damp that has got into the leads etc.
Spark plugs can appear to spark ok when removed from the engine but they can still break down when fitted, are your existing spark plugs genuine Volvo(triple electrode)?

[-chris-]

ok thanks,

not really sure what they should look like but they seemed to be sparking pretty strong when i had them out maybe worth swapping them as it's a quick job. i did spray all the connections with damp start while i was at it and didn't spot any obvious damp.

i forgot to mention i also spoke a mechanic from the garage i brought the car from today he mentioned that when the battery is removed the imobaliser needs to be reset by using the key fob to lock and unlock the car. i have done this but not sure if it could be a problem related to the imobaliser?

the spark plugs didn't seem to be genuine volvo ones but they did have tripple electrode jobbers!

[stevo48]

If i remember rightly the immobilizer stops the plugs from sparking by disabling the ignition circuit, but I'm sure someone will be along to correct me if I'm wrong.

[Kimberley Smith]

Hi. When you say that it will not start...is it actually cranking when you turn the key? If so then the next steps are to check that the plugs have a fat spark and also when removing them look to see if they are wet with petrol. I think that the immobiliser shuts off the fuel, not the ignition, but I stand to be corrected.
Kim

[-chris-]

yes it is cranking just not actually starting. their is fuel on the spark plugs as i took them out let them dry replaced them tried to start and removed them again and they were wet with fuel again.

i think you are both right with the imobaliser as i have now read in the haynes manual that the ignition and fuel pump would not work if imobaliser was on.

is a camshaft sensor a possibility?

i am trying to get it read for fault codes but not sure if i can get the reader form a friend. will have to invest in one ready for next time!

[-chris-]

thought i'd finish off the thread if anyone wants it for future refrence or just to mock me! lol!

after much fuss i got my old man to tow me to a garage using his trusty 740! never been towed before! i can confirm that 60 down a bendy A-road 3 foot from the back of the towing car with limited brakes and steering is rather hairy!

the garage have got it running again no problem. by the sound of it the initial problem was that my battery had run flat but when i tried to start it became flooded with fuel so that even when we attempted to jump start it it wouldn't start. anyway they took the spark plugs out and blew air into the cylinders to dry them and got it going. good tip to remember.

cheers