intermittent no crank, but starter whirs

97-850-t5 · Post by **97-850-t5** » 30 Mar 2010, 19:36

Hi,

I've just acquired a 1997 850-t5 with 130,000 miles on it. It was sitting for an unknown amount of time before I bought it from a person who doesn't know anything about it.

about once out of every 30 starts, i turn the key to crank and I hear a whirring noise, but the engine does not sound like it crank or turn over. So far this has happened twice and after trying to start the car 5 times it has decided to work. The car runs just fine otherwise.

Are these common problems for vehicles of my vintage:
is the solenoid not thrusting the gear into the flywheel?
is the flywheel possibly missing teeth?

Any ideas on how I can narrow the problem down would be appreciated as I don't want to get stuck at the wrong moment!

my problem sounds similar to this one, 1997 v70 won't start but the thread wanders off to timing belts and spark plugs and is never resolved

Thanks for any help!

whoa · Post by **whoa** » 30 Mar 2010, 19:53

Sounds like a bad starter. The starter bendix isn't engaging the drive-plate; if that's right, a new starter is in order. Luckily, they're not hard to get to on this car.

Post by **jblackburn** » 30 Mar 2010, 20:54

I agree. It will probably keep working for a while, but it will only get worse. As soon as you start getting grating noises, stop driving the car and get a new starter. There is always the risk that it'll leave you stranded, too.

This is one part you could probably go rebuilt or (maybe) aftermarket on. Whatever you do, bench test the darn thing first before you put it in. It's not a fun thing to put in and then find out it doesn't work, let me tell you

Post by **wheelsup** » 30 Mar 2010, 20:57

Mine did the same lasted about 3-4 months and finally gave up the ghost. You're going to have to replace it anyway so might as well be sooner rather than later before it leaves you stranded.

97-850-t5 · Post by **97-850-t5** » 30 Mar 2010, 21:12

ok it does make a bit of grating noise I think, hard to remember because it all happens so fast.

How much are starters? Lordco (in British Columbia) quoted 400+ CAD.

Can my existing starter be rebuilt or I get a different rebuilt starter?

By aftermarket do you mean a non-volvo starter? Like a bosch one? any recommendations on models or brands to avoid?

I don't think I'll be doing this job myself, I have no tools at the moment as I am moving cities.

thanks so much for the advice!

Post by **jblackburn** » 31 Mar 2010, 11:18

Most of the time, you send off for a rebuilt one and send back your old one, and you'll be given back a "core charge" that you have to pay up front. Rebuilts Bosch's here are about $180, aftermarket (new) Chinese things are like $170. I'd go for the rebuilt honestly, most come with a 1 or 2 year warranty. A new one will probably run you $300 or more. I'm not sure what this translates to over there.

whoa · Post by **whoa** » 31 Mar 2010, 11:28

Cheap used on ebay if you want to spin the wheel and can get someone to put it in.

Post by **OEMVolvoParts** » 31 Mar 2010, 13:02

Part number is 8111302, which is for a factory reman unit from Volvo. It sells for $246.88 but I would need you to send me back the old one or you would pay a core charge. Freight would be about $25-30 for USPS to BC.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 31 Mar 2010, 14:52

I replaced my son's starter with a rebuilt Bosch from O'Reilly Auto Parts. US $140.00 Plus the refundable core but I took the old one in with me when I bought it.

The rebuilt starters come with new bearings, brushes, regulator, and solenoid. I would take a rebuilt Bosch over anything aftermarket.

...Lee