2002 S60 won't start

Post by **iwritecopy** » 04 Mar 2012, 14:01

150k, 2.4L base model. Turn the key, the motor turns over but doesn't start, and it slows down until I stop the process...Has been starting/running just fine up until today. Battery was replaced in '09, and no other parts like plugs, alternator, etc have been replaced in the last three years. Thanks guys!

Post by **regent** » 04 Mar 2012, 17:00

Look at the battery positive terminal (big post inside the power distribution box in the engine compartment); it is probably loose or corroded. Before you work on it, disconnect battery negative first!

I think I have seen a very good write up on this wiring failure somewhere in the forums.

Post by **iwritecopy** » 04 Mar 2012, 17:19

I'll check the post out and tell you what I find - thank you!

Post by **iwritecopy** » 04 Mar 2012, 18:10

+ post was clean and solid...when I went to jump start it, nothing but clicking noise...thoughts?

Post by **regent** » 04 Mar 2012, 18:48

Inspect starter electrical connections; if everything is OK then solenoid or motor is at fault. (Assuming you have been using good jumper cables and correct jump-start points)

Post by **fazool** » 04 Mar 2012, 19:12

The slowing down and the clicking you describe is simply your battery draining and running our of juice as you crank the engine.

You have some other fundamental problem.

Go back to the basics:

Gas+Air+Compression+Spark = Ignition

Check for fuel, then check for spark. Easiest check for spark or fuel is to spray starter fluid into the intake and if it fires (it wont run but will sputter a few times like almost starting) then you have spark and the artifical fuel source replaced the missing fuel.

If you get NO response from that experiment then you likely dont have spark.

Post by **iwritecopy** » 04 Mar 2012, 19:51

I was able to jump start...but don't know what tomorrow morning will bring...why this happened to begin with. Thanks for your help!

Post by **regent** » 05 Mar 2012, 06:02

It looks like your car started OK this morning.

After the successful jump-start, this sounds like battery to me. Did you see a "Battery Low" message on the DIM (maybe yesterday, when your battery was dying)?

Post by **fazool** » 05 Mar 2012, 06:13

Ahhh, Sorry - I didn't clearly understand your symptoms. I thought it was cranking OK just not starting.

Glad it started for you.

Post by **jimmy57** » 05 Mar 2012, 06:29

The gear reduction starters used for the last several years do not slow down so noticeably at the point of battery discharge where the voltage is too low for many systems to function. The battery can be too weak to support it starting but it will crank well enough to not point at weak battery.
You could have had a low battery for some reason when you tried unsuccessfully to start it.
Get battery and charging checked, there was a reason it didn't start.