Volvo Repair: car wont start, fuel pump relay, mileage cars

Question
Hello and thank you for your time

I have a 1993 volvo that wouldn't start a couple months ago. I changed the fuel pump and fuel pump relay. Everything was working fine. But just a couple of days ago it wouldn't start again. I replaced the battery. I checked the fuel pump and it is working. The starter seems to crank over normally.
Any suggestions what to do next.
Maybe it's the starter?
thanks
Robert

Answer
Robert,
Are you sure fuel is getting to the engine? It could be a clogged fuel filter.You can narrow the problem down very quickly between a fuel and electrical problem. If you have a timing light, connect it to any plug wire and crank as normal while an assistant holds the trigger on the timing light. If the light flashes, it is getting power to the plugs.
If the starter seems to rotate the engine normally, I doubt that it is your problem. Has the timing belt been replaced within the last 100k miles? It could have jumped a tooth or so, preventing it from firing. If it is timed right, is getting fuel, has power to the spark plugs, the spark plugs are good, then the problem could be low compression. You didn't mention the mileage- of course, high mileage cars are more likely to have low compression.
One other thing you could check is the fuel pressure. A new fuel pump does not necessarily mean that it won't malfunction. Good luck- I hope this helps.