98 V70T5 won't start, then does

Bern Davies · Post by **Bern Davies** » 15 Oct 2012, 19:37

Hi,
Tried to start my V70 T5 (440,000 km) turn ignition key to start, nothing - no solenoid click, doesn't even try to turn over. CAA couldn't start it, so towed to my driveway. After let down from the tow truck, I tried it once more - it started. Took it to the dealer to have it checked, they said the battery and charging system checked good and they couldn't find anything else wrong. I drove a couple of miles and after a brief stop, it wouldn't start again. I tried to duplicate the tow-truck by bouncing the front of the car up and down - and it started. It seems like it might be a bad connection or break in a harness, any ideas?
Bern Davies
Halifax, NS

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 15 Oct 2012, 19:47

It could be the beginnings of a bad PNP switch on the transmission. If it happens again try to row the shifter from park to low gear, quickly, a couple of dozen times and then try again.

...Lee

Roadrunner · Post by **Roadrunner** » 15 Oct 2012, 21:46

Try this trick, When starting your car push up on the gear slector. Knew of a guy who did this untill he replaced the trans safety switch.

byeboy · Post by **byeboy** » 16 Oct 2012, 16:40

Roadrunner wrote:Try this trick, When starting your car push up on the gear slector. Knew of a guy who did this untill he replaced the trans safety switch.

Is this with auto trans or manual?

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 16 Oct 2012, 17:56

I haven't heard of the trick suggested by Roadrunner but it only applies to automatic transmissions, the manual transmissions have no neutral safety or clutch safety switches.

...Lee

Bern Davies · Post by **Bern Davies** » 17 Oct 2012, 04:33

It's automatic transmission

Post by **cn90** » 17 Oct 2012, 06:29

1. Make sure your battery is fully charged and both terminals are properly tightened (not loose).
Check ground cable at battery and chassis.

2. The current flows like this:
- The BIG RED Cable go straight to starter, waiting for the command from the ign switch.
- The command circuit: battery ---> ign switch position III ---> Starter Relay (85-86-30-87 type) ---> to PNP Switch ---> Green Wire going to starter motor itself.

QUICK Trick:

Remove the Starter Relay (Black Relay called "J" in Main Fuse Box next to suspension tower), place a Jumper wire between 30 and 87 to r/o a bad Relay.
If starter still does not run, check the green wire in the back of starter motor.

A safer trick: make a longer wire with spade connector, unplug the green wire and now plug your longer wire with spade connector to the back of the starter. Then connect the other end to the battery (+) post. This technique bypasses everything else (i.e., it bypasses ignition switch, starter relay, fuse etc.) and bring current directly to the control pin (green wire) of the starter motor.

At 440,000km, chances your starter is going out.

Pic of engine compartment fuses/relays:

Bern Davies · Post by **Bern Davies** » 28 Oct 2012, 11:21

Thanks everyone,
Turned out to be the starter