1994 850 intermittent starting

keywestjack · Post by **keywestjack** » 21 Jun 2014, 16:11

Hello, new to the forum. I have an 850 (non turbo) that has intermittent starting problems. I thought it was the battery but no (it now has a new one), then removed the starter and had it checked at both advance and auto zone, it passed. When the car decides it does not want to start, I hit it with my 200 amp starting circuit on my charger and it starts an will do so for a while but eventually it the problem comes back. I checked the charging system it it appears to be good throwing around 14 volts. I put the starter back in so any help you guys can give will be appreciated. I am not very experienced with Volvos I drive a Jeep Wrangler and have some collector Corvettes. I really do like the Volvo and want to get it running as reliably as they are known for. Thanks, Jack

Post by **abscate** » 21 Jun 2014, 19:08

Battery cables and ground cables are often problem spots for starting problems.

Post by **jreed** » 22 Jun 2014, 05:14

I had a similar problem with intermittent starting especially when the engine had already been warmed up and also if it was rainy out. The cause turned out to be a corroded positive battery terminal. You can measure the voltage drop across the terminal to see if yours is bad too. I replaced the cable with a new one I made up from cables and connectors (write up here: https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... le=desktop )
Some have pointed out that a crimped connection is reported to be more reliable than the soldered connections I made. They may be right. My field testing experience so far has shown that the soldered connection is continuing to work fine. I'll let everyone know if I get a failure.