Cranks, then makes a high pitch noise, won't start

kashee77 · Post by **kashee77** » 04 Jul 2016, 20:32

Hi All, I have read a lot of posts but never actually posted anything. Thanks to all of you willing to share your knowledge and love of these cars.
So I don't have the typical no start, it doesn't just "click" or have slow cranking. It cranks normally then just stops and makes a high pitch noise, originally it started happening once in awhile. You'd try to start it , it wouldn't start first try, then the second try it would start. I checked my battery to find it failed a load test so I replaced it. Car starts fine for 3 times in a row then won't start on the 4th, 5th tries but after letting it sit overnight its fine again. I'm starting to think there is excessive resistance happening possibly and thats why it starts again after it cools down? Any ideas? Thanks Kathy

Post by **rspi** » 04 Jul 2016, 20:35

Sounds like the starter is going out.

Post by **abscate** » 05 Jul 2016, 04:23

Welcome Kathy

You could have bad battery cables, a bad ground, or a starter that stops when it gets hot ( that happens after about 10 seconds of cranking)

If you are good with a voltmeter ( I recall you are from your oxygen sensor problem) you can test voltage on each crank with the help of a lovely assistant.

Starters on these cars are pretty robust and seldom give trouble. That whine is probably the ETM making its normal sound; you don't hear it when the engine starts

FinallyGotThatVolvo · Post by **FinallyGotThatVolvo** » 05 Jul 2016, 11:44

I agree with RSPI, I had the same problem and replaced my starter and now I'm able to focus on the other issues like passing smog.

Worn starters scare me and I'd hate to risk not being able to leave somewhere.

Post by **abscate** » 05 Jul 2016, 12:15

Kathy - your 1999 has a starter bypass wire that would eliminate the ignition switch as a cause of this too. I took a picture of it in another thread about a road side problem on my 1999 V70 T5 I will link to.

Pictures of starter test bypass in this thread

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... a&start=10

Post by **misha** » 05 Jul 2016, 16:20

Kathy's car have failing bendix.
It's internal part of starter and since the starter must come off for bendix replacement it's good idea to hunt used starter.
If you have a good car electrician...just replace bendix.

Post by **scot850** » 05 Jul 2016, 23:18

If you are planning to keep the car for a while, I'd suggest getting a re-built Bosch starter. I find that as the starters get older there is an inner plastic piece that starts to crack behind the bendix. A used one is an option but a possible lottery and a starter is harder to swap out on a turbo if the used on is bad.

Neil.

kashee77 · Post by **kashee77** » 06 Jul 2016, 19:49

Hi, Thanks so much for the quick replies. I can't believe you remembered my 02 sensor issue It was so long ago I forgot I posted it. So I did check for a voltage drop and it was good so I replaced the starter and now no longer have the issue. Really appreciate the advice!