850 GLT slow battery click while engine runs

matt44west · Post by **matt44west** » 02 Apr 2016, 18:24

Hey, Everybody:

Any help/thoughts much appreciated here. I have a '93 850 GLT with about 133K miles on it. Runs really well (I think), but the other day I started it and what sounded like a hum started from the driver's side of the engine. I popped the hood and, along with the hum, the battery is clicking very slowly. Car seems to start just fine and it runs fine, but that click is there. I'm thinking about taking it in to my local Volvo guy, but thought I'd ask here first. Starter bad? Alternator, maybe? Any thoughts will be much help to me...

Also: Is it fairly normal for the fuel injectors to make noise on this model? Oil level is fine and from other forums it seems common, but I don't know much, so thought I'd ask.

Again, so much thanks for any help...

Post by **abscate** » 02 Apr 2016, 18:52

You need to isolate the noises better to diagnose. A length of hose used as a stethoscope will help.

My guess is the cruise or air pump under the battery makes the click

matt44west · Post by **matt44west** » 02 Apr 2016, 20:28

Thanks for the response! So, you were right that it seems to be coming from beneath the battery. I went ahead and disconnected the air pump (or what I'm pretty sure was the power cord for the air pump) and the click and hum vanished. Car started and ran like normal. My question now is this: Can I drive it without the air pump connected and, if I do, will I screw something up? I already passed smog a couple weeks ago here in CA, and if it is strictly an emissions-related part, I am good for two years. Figure I can call around to salvage yards and find a new pump with the aim of replacing when I have time and/or need to smog it... Let me know if that sounds like a viable strategy...

Again, thanks so much for any thoughts and/or response!

Post by **erikv11** » 02 Apr 2016, 21:03

Strictly an emissions part. Leaving it unplugged will throw a code and turn on the check engine light, but have zero effect on operations.

The SAS valve on top of the exhaust goes bad and the pumps fill up with water, super common problem. I have a couple air pumps you could have for the cost of shipping, send me a PM if you want them.

A more common solution is to delete the SAS altogether (http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/topic/14 ... with-pics/) but in California that could cause problems at smog check time if they do visual inspection for the parts .

matt44west · Post by **matt44west** » 04 Apr 2016, 17:09

Thanks for the responses, everybody––I really appreciate the help!