95' 850GLT won't start AGAIN..Im so pissed w/Volvo dealer

[viper69]

I have a '95 850GLT, 89k miles on it. It runs great. However. since January of this year. I have had to bring it to Volvo 3 times. Each time same problem, starts fine, then mysteriously the next day it doesn't start, NO turning OVER at all!

So, 1st time they found a glove compartment light that was on. Supposedly fixed>>WRONG

2nd It was something else that was minor>>WRONG

3rd time they discovered it was the Bendix motor ( alot of money!!) replaced it, the next day it started up fine, that was I believe back in March '06.

NOW, today same thing it wouldn't turn over.

I would like to add that once the Bendix was replaced it sounded fine, but over time there would be instances where it sounded like it had a hard time starting, it would start, but the sound of it starting wasn't a strong turnover if that makes sense. I just attributed that to recent starting and stopping of the engine from one stop to the next during my driving. This electrical issue makes no sense..It's not my battery either...its brand new (6 months old)..made my Excide from NTB.

In dash lights will go on, dome lights go on as well. Just like before.

Does anyone have ANY clues as to what maybe the problem. I swear to god I think someone is f%cking w/my car in my apartments garage. I have never had a problem until I drove it 2,200 miles across country. Now I have this crappy problem.




What would you people do..bring it back to Volvo dealership for them try it and figure out the problem AGAIN OR bring it to a private mechanic that only works on Volvo and Saab?

[billofdurham]

As the engine turns over in a sluggish way I would suggest that you are looking at an intermittent electrical fault.

Have you, or the dealer, checked and cleaned the earth lead where it meets the body? Remove it completely and get the contact area well cleaned. Also check and clean the engine/transmission to body earth strap in the same way. Make sure you know your radio code before removing the battery earth lead!

If this does not work check the live lead with a volt meter or test light at the starter solenoid. If you have to go this far you should check for 12 volts at the inlet side of the solenoid by removing the cable and turning the ignition key to the 'start' position. If you have 12 volts there then reconnect that lead, go to the live out lead from the solenoid and and do the same check. If you have 12 volts there the solenoid is not faulty and it would then pay to have the starter motor checked for correct operation. Hopefully you will find the problem before having to do this. Most starter problems stem from poor earth contacts.


Bill.

[viper69]

thanks...I just can't figure out what could possibly be causing my battery to drain, or at least appear to drain. I don't know if it's out of juice yet I have to bring it to the dealer I guess.....last time it wasn't out of juice..something having to do w/starting.

[billofdurham]

I just can't figure out what could possibly be causing my battery to drain, or at least appear to drain.

Is the battery draining? In your first post you said

In dash lights will go on, dome lights go on as well. Just like before.

Do the other lights come on at full power as they should or do you have problems with them? Switch on your headlights and have someone turn the key to start the car whilst you check to see what happens to the lights. If they go very dim you could have a battery problem - or a bad earth connection.


Bill.

[viper69]

All lights come as they should, However the radio won't power up, until the car is started.

I brought it into Volvo...they hooked up a battery charger to and it started fine. But I do not believe it's the battery, as earlier in the year when the same symptoms appeared my battery wasn't the problem. I have an Excide battery in it from NTB.....I may have them take it out, and replace it w/an Interstate battery. Something is causing problems, either causing the battery drain in THIS example, but not previously. I just find it strange that 4 times I have had had the same problem, each time a different repair.


This is highly frustrating..the bendix was replaced in Feb 21 2006.

[galerie]

I had that problem before (only once though), i had it towed to my indy mechanic (which is literally 1/2 mile from my house) all he did was put the gas pedal to the floor and turn the key and it started right up.. He said sometimes that happens with 850 volvo's when there is a dramatic change in the weather....like I said it happened only once...you might want to try that next time

[viper69]

THere's been no change in weather haha...and this isn't something normal.

Volvo stealership says it's the postive battery terminal not carrying 12volts..SOOO>.what I wonder now is how come that wasn't the problemo before??? Did I drop 564 dollars on a bendix w/labor for nothing last time??? And why wasn't this drop in postive terminal found before...the cables haven't changed.


I don't think this is the problem at all.

[billofdurham]

Do U.S. Volvo dealers know how to repair Volvo cars? They certainly do not know how to diagnose faults if they can come up with so many different causes for yours!!

I have never heard of just one terminal on the battery not carrying 12 volts. If the battery is not producing 12 volts it would be impossible to specify one terminal. If you have a voltmeter test the battery output yourself, it is easy to do.

In the U.K. we can go into any auto-electrical shop and ask for a battery test to be done. In most cases this is a free service as they hope to make money out of supplying a new battery, if it is necessary. As they are the experts the results can be relied on. They will also test the output from the alternator, again free of charge. Is this not possible in the U.S?

I still think you have some sort of earth problem and would advise you to check the cleanliness and tightness of the battery negative lead, especially where it connects to the body and also check the engine/transmission to body earth strap.

Bill.

[viper69]

I shouldn't say the terminal...my mistake..it was the positive battery cable form the terminal that was having a drop in electrical load. Thats what they says...They tested alternator..nothing wrong..no bendix issue, even checked remote entry control to make sure there wasn't a fault in draining the battery..

What do you mean by "earth"...do you mean ground?

The battery was drained they told me..I asked them how it could have been drained...The only thing they suggested is if the battery cable was bad, which it was, then they are suggesting the alternator couldn't return juice to the battery and charge it...I find this to be not the problem, I just find it so strange that each time this happens it's something different, and when it does happen, there's no warning. One day its running fine, the next day it won't turn over. This time around it actualy turned over and I was able to drive it..no need to tow it.

I will say each time they looked at it when I get it back it starts up very well! But over the course of a few months it's ability to start so strongly decreases somewhat...This is confusing...as of yesterday it was working...we'll see...Im not convinced that was the problem.

[billofdurham]

Sorry about my terminology - earth = ground.

I can now see what the dealer is meaning. The cable can deteriorate slowly but I must be honest and say I have never seen, nor heard, of one going so bad that the alternator cannot keep the battery charged.

Not being familiar with US repair procedures I do not know if you have specialist auto-electrical repair shops. If you have I would suggest you try one for advice. They are, or should be, the experts and if I were having such an electrical problem that would be my course of action.


Bill.