1996 850GL suddenly won't crank

leeming · Post by **leeming** » 20 Jan 2014, 15:54

Has been very reliable always started first time. Suddenly today, turn the key and a click only. Battery is new and good, we tried with jump leads to another car as well.

I tried moving the gear shift (automatic) a few times in case it was the switch.

When turning the key to "on" position, all the lights come on as usual. When key moved to "ignition", the dash lights and all electrics (inc fan etc) all die and there is a click but no crank. When released to "on" position, the dash lights appear again but very faint and pulsing in time with a periodic click from under the engine front - perhaps the starter? I put a DC meter on the battery terminals when doing this and the voltage stays constant. However, the terminals get a little warm as if a lot of current is being drawn.

Is it possible the starter motor is stuck or has failed?

I live in a small Pacific Islands country and there no support for Volvo here. No chance of getting any codes etc.

thanks in advance

socompsp · Post by **socompsp** » 20 Jan 2014, 16:01

give the starter a nice whack with a hammer. sounds like its jammed. or you have a loose connection to the solenoid, which you should honestly check first before smacking things lol

Post by **jose456891** » 20 Jan 2014, 20:40

I have an aftermarket keyless entry + remote start on my 850. one day I decided to close the doors with the remote while I was inside. Then I manually unlocked the door, got out and came back after 5 minutes. When i opened the door I set off the alarm.

I reset the alarm with the remote, then I tried to crank the motor. The starter would not turn!!!

I had to get out, and give the driver's door key hole a couple of turns left and right to reset the immobilizer.

So, like socompsp said: stuck starter.....or immobilizer.

socompsp · Post by **socompsp** » 20 Jan 2014, 21:46

when you confused your immobilizer did the starter solenoid still click? that clicking sound is the only reason i feel it could be a stuck starter or loose connection. but +1 on the immobi idea, i didnt even think of that.

Post by **rspi** » 20 Jan 2014, 23:10

How new is new? I replaced 4 batteries in 1 car last year.

Post by **jreed** » 21 Jan 2014, 05:10

For what it's worth I had to replace my starter last week... same symptoms: 1) turn key. 2) hear a clunk from the solenoid. 3) No crank.
I removed the plastic shield and whacked the solenoid gently with a tire iron and tried starting a few more times... no luck. Then I pressed my hand against the solenoid as my assistant turned the key (I wanted to feel the clunk)... this time it clunked and also started! That was lucky for me because now I didn't need to have the car towed. I figured the solenoid must be sticky or the contacts inside the solenoid were burned. I bought a Bosch-remanufactured starter from FCP and put it in. So far it works great!

neworleans · Post by **neworleans** » 21 Jan 2014, 07:06

Leeming,

I had a similar problem, I first replaced the PNP switch, didn't fix the problem, then replaced the ignition switch and fixed the problem.

In order to understand if it is your ignition switch or starter, I would suggest you do this.

Bring the key to the 2nd position, the lights on dash will go on, get a long screw driver, locate the starter under manifold, remove the solenoid cover, it should come off when pulling towards the front of car. Then you will see a green wire and red cable that comes from the battery, now you need to make a contact with your screwdriver in between, you might see some sparkling, that is ok, if the car starts change your ignition switch. It is only 50 bucks and there is a video how to replace it on youtube, you will need a long torx screw driver to remove the cover under the steering wheel.

neworleans · Post by **neworleans** » 21 Jan 2014, 07:26

Here are some pics while I was trying to fix mine... Red line shows where you need to make the contact with a screw driver between the green wire and the bolt.