Non starting s40

billtaylor8779 · Apr 16th, 2010, 08:48

Help.First post & new to lpg.
volvo s40 1783 cc ;2002
Just bought the car & drove it home (Edinburgh to Manchester)
Journey...car started ok,on gas,but not sure it was with a cold engine
Fuel clock showed empty & low fuel light was on ,so after 1 mile fueled with petrol.The tank overflowed after 16 litres.(clock still shows empty & warning light is on).Is this a relay/sender unit problem.?
Lpg clock showed only 1/4 at this point so drove to Gretna on petrol & filled with lpg there.continued journey on gas.
Stopped & started several times towards Manchester with no problem.Engine runs very smoothly.
This morning..engine will not start.
all dashbord lights come on normally & starter spins the engine over quickly.
I can hear the fuel pump for a couple of seconds
Tryed with lpg switch on and off.
No sign at all of the engine trying to fire.
Should I have finished the journey on petrol.?
best regards

capt jack · Apr 16th, 2010, 13:04

Hi Bill and welcome.

I reckon the clue could be in the 'starter spins very quickly' bit of your question. On that basis I'd guess it's not anything to do with the LPG and/or petrol, and everything to do with a knackered starter motor, or possibly the battery not having enough guts in it to make the starter engage.

How mechanically-minded are you? If you can, just make sure that all the battery connections are nice a clean and tight. Do you have access to a digital multi-meter? If so, then check the battery voltage. If that looks OK then you need to get the starter motor checked out.

If the engine is turning over on the starter then it does sound like a fuelling issue. The behaviour of the petrol gauge is very odd. LPG fuel gauges are at best a guide and at worst completely useless when it comes to telling you how much LPG is in the tank!

Generally speaking bi-fuel cars start on petrol then switch to LPG automatically once the engine is warmed up.

If spanners aren't your thing then you're going to need a helpful mate, or the RAC/AA.

Good luck

Jack

Apr 16th, 2010, 08:48	#1
billtaylor8779 New Member Last Online: Nov 6th, 2020 21:38 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: manchester	Non starting s40 Help.First post & new to lpg. volvo s40 1783 cc ;2002 Just bought the car & drove it home (Edinburgh to Manchester) Journey...car started ok,on gas,but not sure it was with a cold engine Fuel clock showed empty & low fuel light was on ,so after 1 mile fueled with petrol.The tank overflowed after 16 litres.(clock still shows empty & warning light is on).Is this a relay/sender unit problem.? Lpg clock showed only 1/4 at this point so drove to Gretna on petrol & filled with lpg there.continued journey on gas. Stopped & started several times towards Manchester with no problem.Engine runs very smoothly. This morning..engine will not start. all dashbord lights come on normally & starter spins the engine over quickly. I can hear the fuel pump for a couple of seconds Tryed with lpg switch on and off. No sign at all of the engine trying to fire. Should I have finished the journey on petrol.? best regards

Apr 16th, 2010, 13:04	#2
capt jack VOC Member Last Online: Apr 20th, 2024 18:56 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Selby, North Yorkshire	Non-starter Hi Bill and welcome. I reckon the clue could be in the 'starter spins very quickly' bit of your question. On that basis I'd guess it's not anything to do with the LPG and/or petrol, and everything to do with a knackered starter motor, or possibly the battery not having enough guts in it to make the starter engage. How mechanically-minded are you? If you can, just make sure that all the battery connections are nice a clean and tight. Do you have access to a digital multi-meter? If so, then check the battery voltage. If that looks OK then you need to get the starter motor checked out. If the engine is turning over on the starter then it does sound like a fuelling issue. The behaviour of the petrol gauge is very odd. LPG fuel gauges are at best a guide and at worst completely useless when it comes to telling you how much LPG is in the tank! Generally speaking bi-fuel cars start on petrol then switch to LPG automatically once the engine is warmed up. If spanners aren't your thing then you're going to need a helpful mate, or the RAC/AA. Good luck Jack Last edited by capt jack; Apr 16th, 2010 at 13:10.

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