Volvo 850 starts, then stalls

[SaithCR]

So, a little update... I was out checking the grounds and trying to figure out a way to remove and replace the battery cables when I noticed that the ground strap that goes from the passenger side of the camshaft cover to somewhere between the firewall and the strut tower was missing, the bolt was gone but the strap was still hanging from the other side. Since I didn't had a bolt that fitted in hand, used one from the sparkplugs cover since it had the same tread and size, and used a shim to hold the terminal firmly to the cover. Then proceeded to reattach everything and try to start the car, and surprise surprise, now it didn't even crank . I thought that maybe the battery was discharged, removed it, and connected it to my battery charger. After maybe an hour of checking and rechecking every single terminal in the starter and battery (what I disconnected) I noticed a little green cable was very loose on the starter, it was formed to shape and that was the reason I didn't notice it earlier, so I squished the terminal with some pliers and now it fitted very snuggly. I waited for the battery to finish charging, connected it to the car and it started right away.

Tears of joy were shed, and just as I was thinking of popping a bottle of champagne and celebrate, it stalled again and now it starts and shuts down immediately again...

I haven't been able to source the new wires because this week was a holiday in here and every single shop was closed, will report back once the new wires are in.

Thank you all for your help, it's been a difficult time for me lately and I cannot afford to buy another car.

Edit: Forgot to mention, hooked a test light to various points on the inside of the car and noticed that just before it stalls (could be 1 to 5 seconds) the light on the test light got very dim, like half of the normal output, I don't know if that's normal or not, but maybe you do.

[erikv11]

Tons of great info for DIY battery cable jobs: viewtopic.php?t=61747

Thank you very much, very helpful! Do you recommend using crimp-on battery terminals or the ones with screws to add the cables?

If you have access to the crimping tool, that would be the best option. Without the proper tool I might go with screws and know I will need to check it every year or so.

If there is a marine shop nearby, they should be skilled at making DIY battery cables, and have the crimp tools.

[SaithCR]

Tons of great info for DIY battery cable jobs: viewtopic.php?t=61747

Thank you very much, very helpful! Do you recommend using crimp-on battery terminals or the ones with screws to add the cables?

If you have access to the crimping tool, that would be the best option. Without the proper tool I might go with screws and know I will need to check it every year or so.

If there is a marine shop nearby, they should be skilled at making DIY battery cables, and have the crimp tools.

I'll take your advice into consideration, sadly I live like 100 miles from the nearest sea, so, no marine shops around. Plenty of audio shops though, maybe they can use amp wire and make the terminals, i think they should have all that stuff. I'll ask on monday!