850 Will not start

ssylves1 · Post by **ssylves1** » 29 Nov 2010, 22:57

I disconnected my battery to remove corrosion. After reconnecting, my radio screen displayed "off". In the past, the screen has displayed "code" and I type in my code (4332) and it turns back on. I researched online how to handle the "off" display. Many results explained to turn the ignition to the "on" position and leave it for 2 hours. Then, the "code" screen should appear for the code to be typed in. I did this and my battery died. I charged the battery and it was not holding power. My dad took the battery from his truck which is bigger and backwards (positive was facing front rather than back). My dashboard lit up and car turned over, however did not completely start. Checked fuel pump and transmission fuses, they looked good. Car will not start completely. How do I fix this? Do I just need to get a new battery similar to the one I had? Or has a bigger problem occurred?

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 29 Nov 2010, 23:06

Welcome to MVS and I wish it was under happier circumstances.

Hopefully you duly noted that the terminals were backwards and didn't hook them up that way (backwards). If you did hook the battery up backwards all bets are off and I don't even know where to start.

Elaborate a bit more on the battery replacement and we can work from there.

...Lee

ssylves1 · Post by **ssylves1** » 30 Nov 2010, 13:08

Battery was connected correctly. We have hypothesized that the car may have become flooded due to the multiple attempts to start it. Getting a new battery (made for my car) today and trying again since it has sat all night. What are your thoughts? Also, do you know of a better solution to get the radio working again?

jonesy850boosted · Post by **jonesy850boosted** » 30 Nov 2010, 15:38

If the motor is turning over, and its not firing up, it could be lots of different things. But most likely its cause you have no spark at the spark plugs or no fuel. Obvious! When you put the key in the on position you should hear the fuel pump buzz a little bit coming from the back of the car to prime the fuel system. I have heard of problems with the fuel pump relays with these cars, but it does seem odd that the problem would start after cleaning the terminals.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 30 Nov 2010, 17:10

Does it sound any different as it cranks - as in much faster? You may have lost all compression due to the "lawnmower syndrome" if it does. It is easily fixed but I don't want to send you down that road without more feedback.

...Lee

ssylves1 · Post by **ssylves1** » 01 Dec 2010, 04:30

Got a new battery and it started! I'm so relieved there weren't bigger problems at stake. I guess it was flooded from the frequent attempts made trying to start it. This website is so great! Thanks for all the feedback! I will definately recommend this site to any other Volvo owning friends.

ssylves1 · Post by **ssylves1** » 02 Dec 2010, 15:58

So my car ran for a day and now it's not starting again. Fuel tank in full and no problem with the pump. What is the lawnmower syndrome?

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 02 Dec 2010, 18:00

What is the lawnmower syndrome?

It is a condition that results in zero compression an all cylinders and it is normally a result of starting the car and quickly shutting it off again - as in you moved the car just enough to get the lawnmower out of the garage - hence the "moniker".

The cars start very rich and they have very tight piston tolerances, so tight that the oil being washed off of the cylinder walls will kill the compression.

The car will sound very funny when you crank it though, a much faster crank-over than normal. It is easily fixed by dumping a teaspoon of oil in each cylinder and then cranking it again or you can often get it to catch simply by flooring it. If you add the oil to the cylinders do it outdoors - the smoke cloud is amazing.

In your case I don't think that is the problem unless you notice that it is cranking very fast.

...Lee

ssylves1 · Post by **ssylves1** » 13 Dec 2010, 22:55

Replaced the fuel pump and battery. Car was starting fine. However, was still a bit slow to turn over on really cold days. It warmed up to 30s and my car was starting in tip top condition again. Now, the weather is cold and I'm back to the same problem with it not starting. My neighbor jumped my car and it started. I drove 1 mile and parked outside for 3 hours. I came back and it wouldn't start. Jumped it again, I drove it 5 miles to a shopping center with heated parking to let my car warm up. After I arrived, I turned off my car and tried starting it again. It wouldn't start. I went shopping and came back 2 hours later. My car started right up!!! It seems to be entirely temperature related. This week is going to be really cold and I'm weary that it's not going to start. Any ideas what the problem could be? Spark plugs? What do you think about the HEET product? Ignition switch?

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 14 Dec 2010, 01:13

When you say it will not start so you mean that it will crank over and not fire up or does it get to the point where it will not crank over?

You may have a parasitic drain problem on the battery which always gets worse as the temps drop. The glove box light is often the drain problem.

...Lee