16 Valve DOHC Head, Twin Carb, 230 block

Can anyone help ? I have the above engine (1988/89) which will not start - no spark. Have changed the crankshaft position sender and run the tests on the coil pack. There is power getting to the module and I have checked out the earth connections - all ok. I can get no light from a 20 watt test lamp when I connect accross the secondary winding connections of the ignition module and crank the engine. I suspect that the module is knacked, is there any way to confirm for sure? However, It would appear that it is a non standard module for this engine - have searched all of the local scrapyards !! As I said, the module has a crankshaft position sender, not a hall effect from the distributor. It also does not have a vacuum advance module fitted to it, which a number of the units I have seen have - is this because my engine is twin carb? The unit is made by Renix but I have no part number. Can anyone provide me with this ? What model(s) was this powerplant fitted to in the UK? Can anyone assist / advise please ? Regards, Scottie

Hi Peter, Many thanks indeed for the information. I have heard of the disasters which occur when the cam belt brakes on this engine - loud bang followed by a very expensive result!! Any idea of the part number for the whole coil pack or the amplifier? My local volvo agent was rather mystified about the Renix unit I was holding in my hand, whilst I was speaking to him. Was the engine fitted to any other model of Volvo, or any other car for that matter (I know some Renaults share Volvo powerplants), in the UK ? Is it a B234F even although the head is mounted on top of a 230 block ? I was told to carry out the lamp test by connecting across the two terminals that the coil "plugs" into (after removing the coil). Was this wrong ? Once again many thanks for your help. Regards, Douglas

I don`t know if this is of any help but on the link below there is a wiring diagram for the Renix igniton system listed as being fitted to the 700 with the B200K (carb) engine. The Renix system was also fitted to the Renault based engines in the 340 series. There is no separate ignition amplifier (power stage in Volvo-speak), all the electronics except the flywheel sensor are contained in the coil unit. The actual coil can be removed from the assembly and replaced if faulty. Colin. 1990 740SE B200E/M47, remote C/Locking.

Douglas, I may be wrong but this sounds very much like the Penta engine as used in boats etc, these were twin cam on a B230 Block identical to the B234F but used twin carbs instead of fuel injection, What type of carbs are you running?? out of curiosity as i have a B23 with twin dellortos albeit single cam in my 240 coupe, Try posting on as these guys seem to know a bit about penta engines and that kind of thing but they are american so i doubt they will know about uk suppliers and that,

Hi Colin, Many thanks for the information. I have looked over the wiring diagrams on the website - most impressive. Unfortunately it does not seem to give me the "mix" of electronic gismos I have attached to my B234F running a RENIX ignition amplifier. Any idea where I might get the wiring diagrams for a B234F powerplant in all of its guises? I understand that it was installed in 3 series cars although I cannot confirm this. Do you know if this engine was installed in 3xx or anything other than Volvos ? Regards, Douglas

Try a post on the 300 section of the forumn, they will know if it was ever fitted to the 300s. Colin. 1990 740SE B200E/M47, remote C/Locking.

Thanks Colin, Are they as friendly in there ?? Many thanks to you all for your assistance. Regards, Doug