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Delayed start when cold.

Help, Advice and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's P80 platform cars -- Volvo's 1990s "bread and butter" cars -- powered by the ubiquitous and durable Volvo inline 5-cylinder engine.

1992 - 1997 850, including 850 R, 850 T-5R, 850 T-5, 850 GLT
1997 - 2000 S70, S70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70, V70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70-XC
1997 - 2004 C70

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JimBee
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Re: Delayed start when cold.

Post by JimBee »

The last couple of winters my 93 850 had been reluctant to turn over when the ambient temp was in the lower teens F. I knew the battery was okay.

Last summer, I cleaned up the ground terminal behind the left side headlight and the negative connection to the block, and rebolted them with a dab of electric grease.

I also replaced the positive cable with this 2 ga. # from Autozone:
https://www.autozone.com/batteries-star ... 7_309947_0

I had a used starter on hand so I installed that.

I also replaced the distributor cap with a new one.

At zero degrees F, and anything above, it has been starting right away—instantly as soon as it turns over.

I can't say which of those repairs made the difference, they all probably helped a little. The AZ cable definitely does the job.

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clarkerussell
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Post by clarkerussell »

dj_v70 wrote: 11 Feb 2019, 10:58 You were having an issue with 1V differential between battery and starter post during cranking, was this solved by the new cable?

If you still have a problem with starter and you are seeing 12+V across starter pos post and starter case while cranking, replace or rebuild starter. Doesn't matter what auto parts store tells you. You either replace the starter, use lighter engine oil or live with it.

I don't believe in proactively replacing parts that aren't broken unless they have very bad failure statistics associated with them. If I did, I'd just replace the whole car:)
I have not had a chance to put it all back together to test yet as I have been doing a lot of other deferred maintenance (PCV, plugs/wires/cap, motor mounts, etc). Since I have easy access to route the new cable, I just went with that instead of trying to fix the battery side connector on the original cable.

But thank you for the input on the parts. I was just trying to save time and labor by doing it while I had easy access to the starter, but it's not really that hard to access later. Thanks again!

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clarkerussell
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Post by clarkerussell »

abscate wrote: 11 Feb 2019, 10:53 If it is working well, leave it alone.

That Bosch remanufactured unit is not as good a starter as OEM - rebuild were outsourced overseaas and QC is not good.
I have to check, but I think the rebuilt unit was listed as being rebuilt in Germany. I'll verify tonight.

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clarkerussell
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Post by clarkerussell »

I checked and the Bosch rebuilt starter states that it was rebuilt in the USA.

The rebuilt alternator that I bought was rebuilt in Germany.

Not sure if I'll use either of them, but the alternator was only $60 after core return and since I have a leaking PS pump, my original 285K mile alternator is covered in oil... thought I'd have it ready if I needed to replace it.

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WhatAmIDoing
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Post by WhatAmIDoing »

clarkerussell wrote: 11 Feb 2019, 21:49 I checked and the Bosch rebuilt starter states that it was rebuilt in the USA.

The rebuilt alternator that I bought was rebuilt in Germany.

Not sure if I'll use either of them, but the alternator was only $60 after core return and since I have a leaking PS pump, my original 285K mile alternator is covered in oil... thought I'd have it ready if I needed to replace it.
If I had $100 for every "rebuilt in USA" caliper I put on my S70, I could afford to have 4 brand new Genuine Volvo calipers installed. Unfortunately a USA stamp no longer equates to a quality product every time.

If it's not broken and shows no signs of failing, then don't replace it.
'98 S70 T5M - 323,000mi - awaiting heart transplant :shock:
'98 V70 T5M - 324,000mi - my new project
'99 S70 "AWD" - 220,000+mi - gone :cry:
Knows enough to be dangerous :wink:

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clarkerussell
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Post by clarkerussell »

Fuuuuuudge...

I FINALLY got everything back together after a marathon part replacement (+ battery cable/spark plugs/wires/dist cap/all motor mounts/PS pump/PCV) and I still have the same delayed start issue. Fudge...

I replaced the + battery cable with the FCP one, but did not do the starter because it tested fine at O'Riley's. I guess that's next.

On a positive note, the car hasn't run this smooth and vibration free in years!

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abscate  
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Post by abscate »

Did you ever test the ignition Switch? You can test it by using the bypass starter function on your car, there is a reg green wire bare conn3ctor either in you fuse box or on the shock tower that’s can bypass the ignition switch for cranking signal

Search this forum for ‘ bypass starter terminal’
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clarkerussell
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Post by clarkerussell »

I haven't tested the switch... will look into this tomorrow, thanks!

Do you just put 12V to that terminal? It that just an extension from the solenoid input on the starter?

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abscate  
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Post by abscate »

Exactly

Legal disclaimer: if you have a manual transmission and you apply voltage to this terminal Inc gear. You run yourself over. Do not use your radiator fan to trim hedges. Gasoline is not mouthwash.

Pictures In this thread, but I’m still looking for an earlier P80.

It’s a green red heavy wire to a connector on the strut pre 1999 ( green in MT cars ....CAREFUL) , then moves inside the fuse box as pictured.

With your acumen, you can find it, the new follow the wire to the harness running down to the starter to confirm. On edit - fixed that, referring to the diagram below the starter bypass wire connects the load side of the 2/35 relay, not the starter.



It’s the two loose looking wires coming off the starter relay 2/35 mid picture


viewtopic.php?f=1&t=78989&p=448135&hili ... al#p448135
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clarkerussell
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Post by clarkerussell »

Thank you!

It looks like it's in the fuse box area of my 1998 S70. Definitely Green/Red (possibly primary Red, secondary Green)
1105173280_20190304_083451.jpg
So I just put 12V to this and it should engage the starter, just like I was turning the key, right? Does the key need to be in the ignition in "run" position?

On a side note, I really need to turn that rogue 10A fuse around. I mean, really, who does that???

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