Volvo V70 1999 Engine Starting Problem

robmeister · Post by **robmeister** » 06 Jan 2010, 12:24

Hi. I bought a V70 2.4SE on Sunday from ebay. The car has done 140k miles and the seller drove it 100 miles to me. I took it out for a short spin that evening and it seemed a good car. I started it the next day in freezing conditions and whilst it was a little rough starting, it started okay. I tried to start it yesterday and am getting nothing other than whirring noises which sounds like the starter motor spinning but it's not cranking the engine. The battery seems strong, and even so I've given it a full charge. I've checked the negative strap from the battery and the +/- battery connections and they seem fine. I've checked each of the fuses. I've googled the issue and tried suggestions such as wiggling the ignition key (presumably for a loose connection) and I've tried moving the auto gear shifter back and forth multiple times to see if there is an issue there. None of this has been successful (hence the post). Unfortunately I don't have the Owners Manual (and can't locate one online) and I should note that the amber engine warning light(?) has come on. I have ordered the Haynes manual and hope to be able to have a proper look under the bonnet over the weekend. In the meantime, I would be grateful for any help as these sort of things always bug me! Many thanks.

Post by **jblackburn** » 06 Jan 2010, 12:55

whirring noises which sounds like the starter motor spinning but it's not cranking the engine

So if I understand correctly, it sounds like the engine itself is not actually being turned by the starter?

If so, I'll save you my 'an engine needs 3 things' speech and say that your problem, then is actually in the starter gear solenoid itself. When you turn the key, the gear is supposed to mesh into the flywheel to turn the engine. If you're just hearing a whirring and no cranking, then that is not happening. You're probably looking at a new/rebuilt starter there.

You can try clonking it hard with a wrench - this kept an old Honda I had going for 6 months on a dying starter. If you get a loud grating noise, STOP! You'll chew up the teeth on the flywheel.

robmeister · Post by **robmeister** » 06 Jan 2010, 13:48

Thanks for that response - that's helpful. I remember replacing a starter motor in an XR2 about 20 years ago. I've struggled to find the starter motor in the V70 - is it to the left of the battery and visible from above (RHD model) and relatively small - about the size of a couple of cans of beans?

Post by **jblackburn** » 06 Jan 2010, 13:57

That's it. Just follow the battery cable from the cooling fan relay down to it.

Unfortunately! It's kind of a pain to get to. First, you have to remove the cooling fan. Then remove the plastic fresh air intake hose, the throttle body air intake hose and the lower Idle air control valve hose, and then the battery. The starter's then held in by 2 bolts.

Georgeandkira · Post by **Georgeandkira** » 06 Jan 2010, 14:42

Hello, Very briefly: I've changed a starter or two in my life so I think I'm an expert. My 1999 V70 base whirred one morning and I was sure my starter was spinning (the whirring noise) but not being thrust into the flywheel/torque converter. It wasn't until a helper turned the key and I saw a cam shaft turning through the oil fill hole that I knew something else was wrong. Turns out the recommended Bosch spark plugs which I had installed were wrong. Simply installing Volvo non-turbo spark plugs(3 electrode) was ALL that was needed. It was that simple. The cranking sound of my healthy 5 cyl. engine lacked the familiar rythm we all grew up with. I felt stupid at first then realized I had never heard my engine crank. It had always jumped to life instantly. It continued to do so thereafter. Has your timing belt and related hardware been changed? Good luck with your '99. I loved mine. Kira

robmeister · Post by **robmeister** » 07 Jan 2010, 00:58

Thanks - that's also really helpful. I had a Golf GTI a number of years ago which had the wrong plugs. Once I changed them it was so much better, but I can't remember if it led to starting problems where the engine wouldn't crank or whether they just fouled the plugs and the engine timing? Anyway all of these are very helpful and I'll have a good go at it over the weekend!

robmeister · Post by **robmeister** » 08 Jan 2010, 07:55

I've just had the RAC visit. I understand the starter motor is fine but that I have a frozen engine. I asked about if there might be a problem with the timing belt. He's taken a look and thinks it's broken (it's slack). Think the next step is to wait for the thaw (could be a couple of weeks) and get a mechanic to replace the belt but I suspect it can't be started/ driven to the garage.

Post by **jblackburn** » 08 Jan 2010, 08:13

Well that stinks - unfortunately if the timing belt breaks, the pistons smash into the valves. Hopefully since your car wasn't running, and just cranking at the time, the belt gave way and there isn't too much damage. You can get the belt replaced and see what happens.

robmeister · Post by **robmeister** » 08 Jan 2010, 08:20

I'm hoping that as the engine hasn't even cranked since it last started that there won't be engine damage but I guess I'll have to wait and see....

Post by **holler1** » 08 Jan 2010, 09:15

I'm having trouble believing your timing belt is broken unless it happened the last time you actually had the car started. If it were me, I would want to see for myself that the timing belt is bad, and to know why the mechanic thinks the engine is frozen. I suggest a good habit to develop is whenever someone tells you that something is broken, to say "show me". However, having said that, if the belt has never been replaced, it is past due, so replacing it is a good idea anyway. That may or may not fix the problem with starting.