engine turns over but fires ocasionaly

Sounds like it may be dumping fuel and flooding it self,this is mostly caused by bad o2 sensors,or clogged catylac converter.

I removed the plugs and they were dry but bad so I changed them and it fired a little more often. I also tried starter fluid with no effect.

Does the domestic code reader work on a Volvo?

Mark Can this alow the car to run one day and stop it from starting the next or should she have had problems before? Sorry for the dumb questions but I am doing this for a disabled friend several miles away.

Body,you may need to check the fuel pressure sounds like it may be fuel pump acting up if it does this randomly.

Sorry my last post was not clear, It was running one night and hasn't run since .

A standard OBD-II code reader will work for most of the systems, and likely for this situation if the car is throwing a code. Otherwise, you'd need to bring it to a dealer or local European/Volvo shop that has VIDA/DICE.