Occasionally not cranking- 98 S70 GLT

[OilAnalyst]

First off...nice site. Great information on the S70 here!

So I did a search...on several forums in fact. I'm getting everything from the ignition switch to the PNP switch to the actual starter in my searches.

The car runs great when running. When the starter kicks in, it sounds fine. The problem lies in the fact that occasionally it simply will not crank. I tried moving the shifter...nothing. Won't start in neutral during these "moments". I can hear a click...but sounds more like a relay maybe under the dash than the starter solenoid.

Then out of the blue, she'll just fire up like there was never a problem.

Having priced the PNP and a starter, obviously I want to get this right the first time. So, what would my best course of action be from here? Should I remove the starter and have it tested?

Thanks in advance for the help...

Matt

[MadeInJapan]

Have you tried reading your codes? Even if a check engine light isn't on, you could have one or two.

[Ozark Lee]

Matt,

You are correct in the current flow for the starter. From the ignition switch, through the PNP, and to the starter solenoid.

That said, the usual ignition switch failures are a failure in the run (II) where stuff just turns off for no real reason.

The PNP switch problems usually have other "tells" like reverse lights that don't work and the up arrow light on the instrument cluster.

A bad or going starter cannot always be diagnosed properly with an auto parts store test since starters do grow dead spots on the armature. They will work just fine until you hit the dead spot. Then they do nothing. My test for a failing starter is, when it will not turn over, to crawl under the car and give it a big ol whack with a hammer. If it turns over then it is starter time.

Note: My wife was far less than enthusiastic about the diagnostic process than I was when she crawled under the car - in a dress - with a hammer in her hand. At least her office co-workers applauded when it started.

...Lee

[tca217]

Check to make sure all the battery and starter cables are clean and tight. Also make sure the smaller wires on the starter are tight.

[zenmervolt]

A bad or going starter cannot always be diagnosed properly with an auto parts store test since starters do grow dead spots on the armature. They will work just fine until you hit the dead spot. Then they do nothing. My test for a failing starter is, when it will not turn over, to crawl under the car and give it a big ol whack with a hammer. If it turns over then it is starter time.

Note: My wife was far less than enthusiastic about the diagnostic process than I was when she crawled under the car - in a dress - with a hammer in her hand. At least her office co-workers applauded when it started.

...Lee

Listen to this man. The starter on my 914 was like that, but at the time I couldn't justify the money. So I just always carried one of those giant Craftsman 1/2 inch blade screwdrivers with me and if the car wouldn't start, I'd reach under and whang the starter hard.

A couple years later I was under my 951 and notice a warning sticker on the Bosch starter, "DO NOT HIT STARTER WITH HAMMER!". Funniest dang warning sticker on a car. I think Bosch knew something about the failure rate of their starters.

[greasefingerss]

A couple years later I was under my 951 and notice a warning sticker on the Bosch starter, "DO NOT HIT STARTER WITH HAMMER!". Funniest dang warning sticker on a car. I think Bosch knew something about the failure rate of their starters.

That

[bobsnow100]

Nothing worse when you have to whack your starter when it's raining or your in your good clothes to get your car running . If your hearing a click when you turn the key then I think it is the solenoid on the starter or the starter itself. If you remove the starter most auto places can test it for free.