Advice on troubleshoot starter

Post by **bags519** » 07 Dec 2012, 06:58

Hi, first post and I have a few ideas on what is wrong but I wanted to run it past you guys on the board .

I'm buying a 2000 Volvo s80 2.9 when the key is turned all lights are on but the starter does not crank.

my run down to figure out the problem is to check fuses and relays the small wire the becomes corroded on the starter the battery itself and a starter itself are there any issues that the board is aware of that may be a simple fix or am I just headed in the right direction? I've also thought of the neutral safety switch on a tranny

Thanks for your input.

Post by **bags519** » 07 Dec 2012, 07:03

Also it is a 2.9 non turbo.. if that makes a difference.

Post by **regent** » 07 Dec 2012, 09:35

If a visual did not reveal any suspects and if you did not hear the solenoid 'click' when you put the key in pos. III, then connect a meter to see if the solenoid is getting voltage and how much. The answer to this could help us narrow it down to a few possible culprits.

It could be a long list of things (from undervoltage or battery low to a bad connection, bad solenoid or even a bad key switch contact.)

Post by **bags519** » 07 Dec 2012, 10:09

Thanks I'll let you know what I come up with...

I couldn't resist as a diy person delving into this vehichle . Its looms like a cherry, 175k and for 400 bucks I couldn't resist.

Owner had every service record back to the beginning and a brand new xemodex put on three months ago..

Post by **bags519** » 09 Dec 2012, 11:33

No voltage at solenoid, took a look at the ignition switch and did get power on position 3 to the yellow white striped wire. All other wires have power..

Also jumped the relay engine cranked but would not start

Any thoughts

Post by **regent** » 09 Dec 2012, 13:10

Can you look at your wiring diagram here:
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/volvo-wiring-diagrams

If your starter relay is getting +12 volts, then it is missing the ’switched ground’ from the CEM. This inhibits the starter, ignition, and fuel delivery.
This condition may be caused by immobilizer (key switch antenna), TCM (PRNDL switch), alarm system, etc. Try rocking the gear shifter back and forth (if the TCM thinks the shifter is not in P, start is inhibited). Could be as simple as this

Post by **bags519** » 09 Dec 2012, 13:35

Tried the shifter park thru first about ten times, dash and shift lights show correct gear. Is there anyway to test antenna or fool into sending the signal?

I also have no warning messages or trouble lights

Post by **regent** » 09 Dec 2012, 16:05

I am really out of ideas... If all the CEM's inputs are fine to allow start and there are no codes then I would be looking for a wiring fault in the circuit that carries switched ground out from the CEM...

Or maybe I should ask this dumb question: Can you check if the no start happens when you try the other key (there are at least two sets)? The keys have a chip paired up with the immob antenna.

The easiest approach I would have is 'talk' to the car with my VIDA/DiCE toolset. It has all sorts of tests and tricks and has saved me about a dozen trips to the stealership... $90 plus tax each.

VIDA can 'see' the inputs, outputs, and status for every module in the network including CEM. Sometimes the comp stores proprietary hidden codes with no MIL and no DIM messages. Those codes are only visible to VIDA and can tell a whole lot.

Post by **bags519** » 09 Dec 2012, 20:31

I have tried both keys... I am going take a good look at the wiring diagrams tomorrow and see what I can decifer.

Thanks for your help.

Post by **regent** » 10 Dec 2012, 08:11

One more thing - not exactly sure how this may be relevant to your problem, but you do not want keep both keys on the same keychain or close to each other (interference of some sort that is)