yikes! another scary condition

kevinj · Post by **kevinj** » 12 Oct 2008, 08:11

good morning! and as always thanks in advance.
went to sart my car this am and nothing! perhaps a minor whirring from the starter motor! im certain its not the battery.
my next move is to go out and hope like heck i can do the steering wheel turn a few times.
99xc wagon
im sure hoping for a quick fix because the car is in the driveway and not the shop where i can work on it. i also have literally taking my other vehicle off the road yesterday. not good!

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 12 Oct 2008, 08:23

I'm thinking you might have a "hot spot" in your starter...try hitting it a time or two with a rubber mallet and see if your car starts up. If this is it, you may be in for a starter or at least a starter rebuild in your future.

kevinj · Post by **kevinj** » 12 Oct 2008, 08:34

im sure hoping it has a hot spot cause i sure do at the moment! gonna go out and bang it around a few times brb

kevinj · Post by **kevinj** » 12 Oct 2008, 08:53

no good banging on the starter motor! learning some new noises here. a high pitched whine from around the starter motor area with the key in position II?

Post by **holler1** » 12 Oct 2008, 09:11

If you have a voltmeter, you might troubleshoot by checking to see if there is 12 volts at the large terminals on the starter and starter solenoid. If yes, next step would be to see if there is 12 volts at the small "blade" connector on the solenoid when the key is turned to start. If not, go to next step.

If no voltmeter, or if no voltage at blade connector, and you have a jumper wire, connect from battery positive post to the blade connector and see if it starts. If so, starter and solenoid are OK and there is a circuit problem. If not, there is probably a problem with either starter or solenoid.

It would help to identify your vehicle. I have a 98 V70 and have been having similar problems intermittently, but some of the circuits are different from 850s.

kevinj · Post by **kevinj** » 12 Oct 2008, 09:38

ok, think im going to call my trusty aaa tomorrow and tow it up the shop where i work on it ( if they are open) i will first try to jump it as you mentioned ,later today. many thanks!

kevinj · Post by **kevinj** » 12 Oct 2008, 13:52

well just tried to jump from the solenoid to the positive terminal and nothing but sparks (not good). in any event looks kinda tight in there for the starter to get at. im getting kind of fed up with this little problem child and may perhaps have it towed to my mechanic