Argh Ignition Problem - Please Help!!!

[muddyfox470]

Hello,

Having just returned from my travels I found my car was starting a little strange, it would cause all the dash lights to flash and just go click click click (I think - from the alternator) as soon as I pressed on all the HT leads it would start with no issues...

Care is Volvo 480 K - Reg 2 Litre - B20F engine

So I thought it was due a change in leads and new sparks...

In my haste I think I replaced the cables in the right positions but have since altered them so much as I haven't been able to get the car firing since.

Now to complicate things there was an earth that had been disconnected (so i reconnected it thinking it could be the source of all this - its connected to the metal behind the oil filler cap in this picture: [Click on Images for Higher Resolution]



The above picture shows all the 4 new sparks in place, please could you confirm the numbering for me, I assumed (from left of photo) that they were 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 (in firing order). On distribution cap, shown below they are numbered 2 - 1 - 3 - 4 (counter-clockwise from top right).



On the above the connections have been cleaned as they were a little dirty.

Other photos:




Spark that looks like it has been burnt out, its only around 3 months old:

Also the car had been sat around for around 3 months, but after starting up with a bit of coertian it has been ok for the past week, with the occaional dash light flashing syndrome as explained at the top.

Please please please could you possibly help me, and could you confirm the numbering of the sparks and the distribution cap numbering please.


I have tried using the information from these threads to no avail:

http://volvo480.dragons.org.uk/forum/vi ... p?p=154174
http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?p=541636
Also couldn't find any trace of numbering in Haynes...

[muddyfox470]

Using Diagnostics, its stating 1-1-1 (no issues) misfiring or otherwise.

Have checked the battery and water/fluid is to the correct level, just cleaning connectors now.

On the one link I have linked to similar problems, someone has said that the numbering is from the RIGHT SIDE, does this mean looking at the engine block on the right side (nearside), or looking from the drivers seat therefore offside.

Thanks again

EDIT: The initial problem had been apparent for the past 2 days, where when it was started early in the morning the electrical clicking noise was heard. Now that clicking noise seems to be coming from when the alternator and something on the gearbox is trying to turn. When looking down at the gearbox there is a little slit where you can see something trying to turn in sync with the alternator. Now the plugs I believe are wired 100% correctly but now it is not even attempting to turnover (previously it was trying to turnover) - I may go to Halfords and buy some more plugs, these are new bosch ones I bought, but they haven't worked :S

[muddyfox470]

Just bought some new Ignition Leads (bog standard ones from halfords) previous ones were new bosch ones (replacing halfords ones)

The car ran fine for 200 miles the other day when I was travelling back to parents the other day.

Argh...

Clicking noise is weird, before it would try to turn over and then would click (approx 1.5 weeks ago), recently it would just click, a push on ignition leads (older halfords one) would let the car turnover properly, now since replacement of ignition leads (to bosch and then to new halfords ones, incase the original bosch ones were dodgy) it is just clicking, and no movement of ignition leads will work.

If possibly, firstly could one of you confirm the numbering of the leads and sparks for me.

Thank you.

[muddyfox470]

After 2 hours under the charger, the battery of 3+ years (same battery that came with the car when I bought it and has needed topping up etc over time), definitely time for a replacement. What batteries do you have?

Anyway, after the charge the car started up, my heart was starting to drop as I had never heard noises like it and thought I had screwed something up...

Fingers crossed the car wakes up tomorrow morning

[DaKyy]

IIRC the closest plug to the dizzy cap was the #1, then #2, #3, #4. So looking the engine on front it would be 4, 3, 2, 1 from left to right. I can't check it out at the moment but thats what I recall...

[jamescarruthers]

Hi,

I had this problem on a 480 a few years ago. It was the battery connections. Not actually the clamp onto the bateltery but the next connection down the positive wire. It was intermittent so a temporary solution was just to wiggle the wire and it would start. Obviously a more permanent solution would be to reterminate the wire if you have the same problem. Strangely mine went away!

James

[Iroll480]

The firing order is 1,3,4,2, ccw. So connection on the dizzycap should be (the most right hand plug) #1 at top left position, #3 at bottom left, #4 at bottom right, #2 at top right position.

[ceda012]

Little more info is necessary, tnx...

[glasgowjim]

as you stand in front of the car (where the number plate is) looking at the row of spark plugs from left to right A (has longest lead) B C D (has shortest lead)

the picture above has 4 connections to the spark plugs at

11 o clock to avoid confusion this is the shortest plug cable and runs to the closest plug to the distributor plug D
1 o clock this is the second shortest lead and runs to plug C
5 o clock this is the longest lead and runs to plug A
7 o clock this is second longest lead and runs to plug B

[ted clutch]

that clicking noise you keep mentioning isnt coming from the alternator. its coming from the starter motor. its the best indication that the battery is totaly flat. its the solenoid that switches the starter on, when the contact is made the voltage of the flat battery drops sufficiently to deactivate the solenoid, clicking off letting the battery voltage climb again with no load and energising the solenoid again. the whole cycle is repetative. click,click,click.

[ceda012]

Tnx you guys, every day I learn a new thing about how things work in my car.
If you ever come to my country, you have a pint of beer waiting

[NorwegianGTE]

I had the same problem with my Renualt 5 GTE 1988 model. It has the F3N engine (Volvo B18ft in volvo language)

Thanks to glasgowjim's explanation I could discover that cylinder 2 and 3 were connected in opposite direction.
Google is your friend I guess ! Great forum