97 850 starter troubles

Discussion in 'Volvo 850' started by Jimbo, Jan 31, 2005.

  1. Jimbo

    Jimbo Guest

    Just purchased 97 850 wagon in great condition. Had a 95 850 wagon
    previously and loved it with no major issues. A few days after buying it
    began to have intermittent starting trouble. When the key was turned
    nothing would happen. Lights and radio would come on but the engine would
    not even turn over. The first few times after about an hour of waiting we
    would go out and it would start fine, work for a day or so and then repeat
    the same scenario. After 3 times I took in to my mechanic who said needed a
    new starter. Well, after a new starter and battery it worked for 3-4 days
    just fine and today it did it again. Same symptoms, it would not start or
    even turn over, after an hour or so it worked. Now it will not start again.
    Anyone ever had this happen?

    Elrodo
     
    Jimbo, Jan 31, 2005
    #1
  2. Jimbo

    Glenn Klein Guest

    Sounds like the ignition lock cylinder is faulty & needs to be replaced
    Not the electric starter switch

    --
    "*-344-*Never Forgotten"
    Is for the New York City Firemen who lost their lives on September 11,2001.
    The official count is 343, but there was also a volunteer who lost his life
    aiding in the initial rescue efforts. And I will never forget them as
    long as I live,
    nor should any American.
    "Mow Green"
     
    Glenn Klein, Jan 31, 2005
    #2
  3. Jimbo

    jr Guest

    If it is like my S70 (and it probably is) you should be able trouble
    shoot it by removing the plastic around the column and removing the
    switch. If the switch starts the car reliably I would suspect the lock
    cylinder. If the key ever rotates through 360 degrees order a
    replacement promptly, it probably does not have long to live. I had to
    do this, as this is what happened to me. On the bright side you will get
    a new extra key with the cylinder with no plastic on it.
     
    jr, Jan 31, 2005
    #3
  4. Jimbo

    JDG Guest

    I suspect it is the electrical portion of the ignition switch going bad.
    You can Google this part to find it. It runs about $80. Bay 13 at
    volvospeed.com describes the replacement, which you can do quite easily.
     
    JDG, Feb 1, 2005
    #4
  5. Jimbo

    Adam Guest

    I have a 1996 850 GLT wagon. My car started fine when cold, but did not
    want to start when warm (sometimes even on the second attempt after
    driving few blocks). I posted to news groups, reaserched circuit
    diagrams, and came to the conclusion that it is a ignition switch. I
    changed it on the Volvo dealers parking lot. The problem was still there
    and finally I took it to independent Volvo garage, they changed the
    starter and the problem was gone. Maybe you need the ignition switch if
    the starter change was no go. It is easy, 10 minute job, but at $90 here
    in Canada, it is not cheap to speculate.

    Adam
     
    Adam, Feb 1, 2005
    #5
  6. Jimbo

    Mike F Guest

    There's one other thing that nobody's mentioned - the neutral switch.
    Try starting in neutral instead of park.

    Also battery cable connections can act this way - if all the dash
    warning lights go off in the start position, then it's a power delivery
    (battery or cable) problem - if they stay on, then it's a switch
    problem. Note: headlights, wipers, heater fan all go off normally in
    the start position, don't use them as a guide.

    --
    Mike F.
    Thornhill (near Toronto), Ont.

    Replace tt with t (twice!) and remove parentheses to email me directly.
    (But I check the newsgroup more often than this email address.)
     
    Mike F, Feb 1, 2005
    #6
  7. Jimbo

    Bob Sisson Guest

    I had the same problem with my 850 GLT.

    Bad starter... several in a row.

    Started caring a Heavy stick (2x2) that I could "thump" the starter with.

    If it went "...." I would thunk the starter and it would start immediatly.
    I think the "replacment" starters are really rebuilt junk, not new... iether
    that or they are not building them like they used to ...

    Bob S.
     
    Bob Sisson, Feb 7, 2005
    #7
  8. Jimbo

    Boll Weevil Guest

    Try this nex time it happens. Turn the car off and then grab the gear shift nob
    and shake it. There is a switch on the gear shift and sometimes it gets stuck.
    I experienced this after my wife dumped Coke on the center console. At first it
    did exactly what happens to you until I shake the gear shift and then turn the
    key and the car would start. I had the car towed one before I learned this
    trick. This happens to me one a week.
     
    Boll Weevil, Feb 10, 2005
    #8
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