96 Starting Problem

lishaunderwood · Post by **lishaunderwood** » 17 Apr 2006, 21:38

Help!! I cannot figure out the problem. The car will start with no worries when the car is cold, but when it is hot the starter doesn't seem to catch. You can hear the starter turning over and over and feel the gas flow, but no start. I took it to the mechanic, who said it was the starter. I was under the impression that if a starter failed it just stop working. Can anyone help?

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 18 Apr 2006, 12:46

Starters develop hot spots, but this really doesn't sound like that issue either.

I would go and get a second opinion. Don't tell the second mechanic that you already had it looked at, and see what he says. Oh yes, and if you're a lady (sorry, not trying to be a male pig here), then find a guy who is somewhat knowlegeable about cars and take him with you. Hate to say it but many guys out there will take advantage of a lady because they can....makes you think you need something when you don't.

Your car repair might be very very simple or it may not be. I guess more information is needed for us here to accurately try to determine what might be wrong with your car...like when it started happening. If there are exceptions to it starting when it's hot. If it makes a certain sound, or if some work has just been done with your car before this started. Let us know some details about your car...it's quirks...things you can think of that might be related. I think then we can help you better here.
Regard,
MIJ

Glad that Matthew moved your post from the ETM section to the correct forum. Hopefully you'll get better help here as your 850 doesn't have an ETM.

lishaunderwood · Post by **lishaunderwood** » 18 Apr 2006, 13:42

Yes. I'm a woman. Your insight doesn't just apply to mechanics, sad but true. The neutral switch has been out. I've had it replaced a couple of times, but not long after it goes out again. I tried putting the car in neutral and starting it but no go. When the car is hot, and is turning over you can hear the starter turning over and if the key is turned again to fast you get the grind (nails on a chalkboard). This started after the state inspection test. I would not have put it pass the inspector to do something; so, I would need to bring it back for work, but this is not the same guy that told me it was the starter. I have looked for cut or loosened wires. Didn't find any. I have a project truck that I myself work on. Yes, that's right. A girl. But the truck is set for racing; so, most of the wiring has been removed. Needless to say, I know something about cars (if not I might have not questioned the starter mechanic). There is also a after market alarm. I was wandering if the ignition kill could be shorting out (when hot). This Volvo is a whole different bear. Need to buy some books! The idea of a second mechanic sounds good, but sometimes they don't listen to men or women. I'm afraid of getting the same quick responce and spending a sum of money and not having the car fixed. If you can give me more deatailed questions I can answer. By the way, I don't have any man to go with me, car smart or not.

With the second mechanic, (if needed) do you think I should tell him I know more about a car than putting gas in it?

White850Turbo · Post by **White850Turbo** » 18 Apr 2006, 14:04

Do you have a fuel pressure gauge that you could use to test pressure with? Check to see if you're getting spark? If both of those are present, problem most likely lies w/ one of the many sensors on these cars.

P.S. I've seen women driving some pretty crazy cars out at the drag strip; some of them faster than what most of the guys are driving

.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 18 Apr 2006, 17:33

I'm full of respect for a woman who knows her cars (not saying that I don't for women who don't). When you go and get a second opinion, tell the guy how you rebuilt a race car and give him the heads-up that you're a woman who knows cars, but this Volvo's just giving you fits. Go ahead and tell him what the first guy said, and add that you think he was wrong...that what he said didn't sound right because the starter still is spinning and does makes a grinding sound when engaged alread....and then tell him what you have posted here (what you've tried and what you thought it might be). I think that shooting straight with someone, when you're someone of your caliber will do you more good because it will earn you his respect and get him to listen.

I was thinking vacuum hoses too. They warm up, expand and the leaks are bigger. When they are cooled down and aren't expanded, the leaks aren't big enough to create problems. Would be worth checking for these...especially the elbows around the intake on both the passenger and driver's side.

A lot of the above is my opinion and not so factual, so take it for what it's worth (the part about how to conduct yourself with a mechanic you don't really know).

lishaunderwood · Post by **lishaunderwood** » 18 Apr 2006, 22:50

To All:

Thanks for all your help. I'm moving away from the thought of a second mechanic. O Reilly can check the starter for free. That's a great word. I jumped off the deep end, head first. Well, hands first. I'm in the process of getting that starter out. I found a bad oil leak.

That's where the oil has been going. I thought maybe the car was just getting old and might have a small leak, but I hit the "mother load". Got Oil? There still enough under my nails for at least half a car, but I like it. Looking under the hood I'm a little upset. I've been depending on mechanics to work on this car. And by the second bolt I could tell this car is in bad shape. It does have over 150 thousand miles, but more could have been done or not done. It's not the mechanics I'm upset with it's myself.

One guy's insight was on the air intake. The air intake was off and pretty much just laying there. The rest of the air intake is looking bad. And now the oil leak and I haven't even got the starter out. Look for a new topic. GETTING OUT THE STARTER! I've got a book on order. It should be here tomorrow, but any extra help is great, because I really cannot see what it takes to get the starter out. Boy, this car is different than my truck.

Lisha 96 Volvo 850