95 850 turbo - car won't start without jump

volvo850hbg · Post by **volvo850hbg** » 12 May 2014, 12:43

I'm not a mechanic, just a handy girl who tries to figure things out before I waste a trip to my mechanic.

Car is not starting. Battery and it's wires are putting out correct voltage. New alternator about a month ago. No foreseeable lights or instruments drawing power when car is locked up overnight. When keys are in ignition, all lights turn on (because the battery is fine.) Portable battery jumper doesn't do the job. I don't drive the wagon every day because I work from home.

The only way I can start the car is by being jumped by another car. It will start back up after the jump but not keep the charge. Ideas?

Post by **erikv11** » 12 May 2014, 12:52

My first thought is the battery. Do you know its vintage? Was it stressed when the alternator went bad (e.g. discharged until really low)?

Post by **Ben850** » 12 May 2014, 12:55

The first thing/s that comes to mind are dirty/corroded battery terminals.

Loose connection at the starter, ground strap deteriorating or loose or weak/old battery.

Rule all of those out before moving on, but I would wager it to be at least one or more of those.

Good luck. Electronics are fun.

Post by **cn90** » 12 May 2014, 13:06

volvo850hbg wrote:...The only way I can start the car is by being jumped by another car. It will start back up after the jump but not keep the charge. Ideas?

Get a charger and charge the battery properly.
If the battery does not hold charge, it may be defective and needs to be replaced.

The alternator is new but these days does not mean much.
Rebuilt alternators these days are hit-and-miss.
Check the alternator output too.

Post by **erikv11** » 12 May 2014, 13:18

cn90 wrote:...The alternator is new but these days does not mean much.
Rebuilt alternators these days are hit-and-miss.
Check the alternator output too.

Most of the chain auto parts stores will test alternator output for free, they will bring a device out to the car and give it a look.

Post by **alschnertz** » 12 May 2014, 15:01

Car is not starting. Is it no crank or no start?
Battery and it's wires are putting out correct voltage. Voltage could be ok, but it's the amperage that it puts out that is more important. Maybe a load test on the battery is in order.
New alternator about a month ago. As already stated, new doesn't always mean good.
No foreseeable lights or instruments drawing power when car is locked up overnight. Maybe it's the lights you can't see. Like the trunk or glovebox. Glovebox light staying on is pretty common with age.
When keys are in ignition, all lights turn on (because the battery is fine.) Right, but just the instrument lights are not a big load...see above.
Portable battery jumper doesn't do the job. Hmmm, that is weird.
I don't drive the wagon every day because I work from home. When my glovebox light was staying on, the battery would go stone dead in 2 or 3 days.

The only way I can start the car is by being jumped by another car. That kind of sounds like an amperage issue.

I'd start by removing the battery cables and cleaning them thoroughly with a terminal cleaner.

Edit: Forgot to add...be sure you know your radio code before you disconnect the battery.

Post by **abscate** » 13 May 2014, 03:48

Welcome to MVS volvo850hbg !

Definitely look hard at the battery. You can probably google the code and make to get an idea of its age.

I've occasionally had cars which didn't jump well with battery packs vs a car.

Do you get any action at all when you turn to start...buzzing clicking stuttering?

volvo850hbg · Post by **volvo850hbg** » 13 May 2014, 13:06

When the mechanic installed the new alternator, he cleaned all the terminals and wires. That saved me a little work! Every location seems to have the proper voltage.

When the key is turned, you can hear it clicking, but it's not turning over.

I've had to buy three batteries in the 7 years that I've owned the car. Do you think that there is a long term electrical issue? DUH!

I've tried almost all your suggestions, except for buying a battery charger. I've been running or starting it every 12 hours or so and it seems to be fine for the time being.

Thanks for all your suggestions! If I'm still having problems, I'll pop back up!

Post by **Ben850** » 13 May 2014, 14:22

Parasitic voltage draw. Take the bulb out of the glove box if you haven't done that yet.

There is a thread or two on checking unwanted voltage draw. I will add a link if I come across one.

Sagan · Post by **Sagan** » 13 May 2014, 16:12

Just a thought, but does your battery meet the cold cranking amps requirement for your vehicle?