89 740 GL Turbo intermittent start issue

[rybateman]

Hey guys,

I'll just start this off with the disclaimer that I'm sure none of you want to hear: I have no clue what I'm doing. I've done very little repair in the past, and with that some pretty minimal stuff with my father guiding me through it all.

Just bought my girlfriend an 89 740 turbo. Only $600 bucks, and it has only had one other owner since it was driven off the lot! The guy was real good to this car, and other than some cosmetic damage on the upholstery it seemed like a dream. Drove it back to the house and it seemed like we'd walked off with a steal of a vehicle.

However, a couple days later we're having some starting issues.

The second day we had the car we took it out for some errands (multiple stops, car started up just fine). The next morning the car wouldn't start. I figured I'd take a look at it, but later that evening it started right up just fine.

Several days later, the same thing happened. It ran fine for multiple trips and being parked overnight, and then all of a sudden just wouldn't start. So that brings me here, because after a couple days of trying out some various things I can't figure this out.

When I turn the key I can hear a whirring noise (fuel pump activating?) and then a single, loud click. The dash lights, radio, fan, and headlights all turn on, and there was no indication of the car having any battery issues previously. For several days the battery seems to have still been able to power all of those things, so I've ruled that out.

Next I moved on to the starter. After talking on the phone with my dad he mentioned that it sounded like it could be a starter/solenoid problem. I think that I have found the starter. So I guess that's the first piece of advice I need. Have I actually found it? What I've been looking at is on the driver side while looking at the engine, below some other part, two cylindrical pieces together, one larger than the other. I take it that the larger of the two is the starter motor and the smaller is the solenoid.

Can you guys recommend a course of action from here? My dad recommended tapping lightly on the starter and solenoid with a wrench or hammer, as apparently that can sort of limp a failing starter system back to life. I tried that on the part in question with no response.

Sorry for the long post, so I'll just give a brief synopsis:

TL;DR - Where's the starter, and how do I figure out if it is the cause of my intermittent starting issues.

[Whitebrick]

That is the starter, and be careful how you bang on it, a rubber mallet would be better. Your dad wants you to dislodge build-up that's interfering with the starter motor. It could also be the alternator, maybe even just the battery. If the alternator isn't charging it, the battery will eventually drain, especially in the cold- and you're in Alaska! Read this completely, borrow a multimeter, and check through the whole system.

www.nuceng.ca/workspace/Volvo%20FAQ%20Site/ElectricalStarting.html

You got a great deal, and once you have to replace a part or two (in my experience it's always a couple of things teaming up to cause a failure) then you know you don't have to worry about that particular thing for a long time.

Jeff

[rybateman]

Thanks a ton for the help. I tested out the battery and poked around for any potential bad grounds, etc. and then went ahead and pulled the starter. After about half an hour of wrenching on a stuck bolt I got it out. Took it to NAPA and they tested it and said it was well on the way to being toast, so I ordered up a new one today.

Just wanted to say thanks for the help, I really appreciate it!

[Whitebrick]

Excellent. Let us know if that did it when you put it back. I'm finally a big believer in squirting PB Blaster on bolts and letting it soak in before I try to remove parts that have been on forever.

It's a great feeling having a new or rebuilt starter, it'll last a long time!
Jeff