1998 V70 Needs to be jump started

5rivers · Post by **5rivers** » 23 May 2014, 09:34

I am at my wits end - my car needs something but I am not sure what that is. I have had intermittent starting problems for a few months now. It will start on its own a few times, then it will need a jump. I have had the battery, starter, and alternator checked. All are good. I have also cleaned the spark plugs, battery terminals, battery cable clamps, and the MAF. I have switched around similarly numbered relay switches (e.g., 50A with a 50A), checked the fuses (none needed to be replaced). I did notice a hairline crack next to a bolt casing on the outer layer of the distributor cap - would this cause the car not to start (but when it is jumped it does start)? I have sat in the car at night to see if there were any lights that stayed on, but there were none. The SRS light on the dash has been on forever. I did have this fixed once - there was a short in the wiring somewhere, I was told. But then the same light came on the following winter when it was about -20 F (same weather condition that prompted the first SRS light to come on). Would this cause the car not to start? I generally leave the car running and locked when running errands. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

5rivers · Post by **5rivers** » 23 May 2014, 09:36

1998 V70

Post by **erikv11** » 23 May 2014, 09:37

Have you ever checked the cable from the batter to the relay/fuse box? It is a known weak spot, it corrodes at the fuse box especially.

5rivers · Post by **5rivers** » 23 May 2014, 11:03

I will check on that and reply. Thanks.

5rivers · Post by **5rivers** » 23 May 2014, 12:32

I checked the cable that you suggested. I did not see any corrosion. However, there were a few other bolts with corrosion that I cleaned. One was a ground next to the air filter box on the wheel well, the others were two bolts attached to a part that is connected to the center cable/wire on the distributor cap. Not sure what that part is (attached to the body of the car just above/rear of the wheel well or in front of the suspension bolts), but I took off the two small bolts attached to it and cleaned the corrosion off of them. The car started up with no problem and I let it idle for about 20 minutes. I will start or attempt to start it again in an hour or so. It's at this point that the car has not started in the past, but sometimes it surprises me by starting, and then it won't afterwards! I will update in a few hours with either good news or ask for more suggestions!

Post by **cn90** » 23 May 2014, 12:41

If cap is cracked, then replace it.
Bosch only, cap + rotor should $55 or so.
Bougicord too, about $60 or so.
Maybe new spark plugs.

Post by **erikv11** » 23 May 2014, 13:44

How would a problem with cap/rotor/wires contribute to this car's intermittent need to be jumped? I'm not seeing a connection.

OP: Is it worse when the engine is warm, or in hot weather?

Post by **E Showell** » 27 May 2014, 14:55

Ok -- Here's the other cable to trace. Start at the battery. Can't recall whether it is the positive or neg. cable, but you already traced the one that goes to the fuse box. Now trace the one that heads for the starter. It drops down along the front cross-member and makes it way to the starter eventually. When I had intermittent running problems, that cable was corroded completely through where it bolted to the front crossmember -- as in daylight between end of wire and connector and it would only make contact every so often. This is one of only a half dozen ground points, so missing one sometimes isn't critical, but . . .

Post by **abscate** » 27 May 2014, 17:16

How was the battery checked? How old is the battery and has it sat for any length of time?

Have you checked for current drain? Ammeter between negative battery post and negative battery cable with the cable removed.

5rivers · Post by **5rivers** » 27 Jun 2014, 08:31

I am back with similar questions about my 98 V70 sometimes starting. The battery is just over a year old and holds a charge (tested, has 12.6 volts) and its a premium Sears Diehard. Took car to Sears to make sure it was not the battery. They assured me it was not, but they did not have a charger that would start the car (unusual!). I had to catch a ride home, bring back my electric charger/jump starter, plug it in inside the Sears garage to get it going. They insisted I needed to get it towed, but I got it started and drove it home. I rechecked everything - battery connections, spark plug wires on securely, bolts to starter on tight, etc. Sometimes the car will start, but then on a short trip, after shutting the car off, it won't restart.
I recently extracted the starter and disassembled, cleaned it up, reassembled and reinstalled it. I could not get the screws off the solenoid to clean up any oxidation if there was any. Even with the battery at a full charge, the car would not turn over, no noises, nothing. However, with a boost, it started. I let it run for 15 - 20 minutes and turned it off. The car would not restart.
I recently installed a relatively new starter, thinking maybe it was the solenoid that was faulty. But, the car still would not start except when it was boosted. I rechecked the cables (positive and negative) to make sure they were secure. They were.
So, now I am thinking its the ignition switch or possibly the starter relay (is there one?). Any suggestions would be very appreciated.