1997 850 T-5 no crank/start, low battery voltage...

zamador · Post by **zamador** » 22 Aug 2018, 18:45

Hi, I've lurked here a bunch but haven't had cause to post until now. My '97 850 T-5 wagon has about 202k miles on it, got it at ~197 last year. I replaced the battery earlier this year since the one that had been installed was rather small for this vehicle. It's been starting and running fine, until the other day when I drove a short distance (about 4 miles), parked, and when I got back in I got no crank or solenoid click when turning the key. I ended up having it towed back home, but now I have to figure out how to get it starting again. It dims the lights when turning the key to start, and the reverse lights light up when reverse is selected, so that leads me to believe the ignition switch and PNP switch are functioning. I also tried moving the gearshift back and forth between L and P many times and that hasn't helped. It's been hot and smoky weather here in Seattle so I put off trying to diagnose it for a couple days, and just today I went in and poked at things with a voltmeter. My battery is only at 12.06 volts and after tapping the starter solenoid with a hammer and trying to start the car again a few more times it dropped to 19.94 volts. Still no sound when turning the key, just the fuel pump noise which normally happens when you turn the key to 'run'. Any ideas what I should try next? It seems like the battery might just need more voltage for the starter to function, but I'm surprised it would fail so completely and abruptly after starting fine.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 22 Aug 2018, 22:13

Step one is to charge the battery. Since it is fairly new and it presumably has a warranty you could return it to the place you bought it and they will test it. As a part of the test they will charge it. Even if they say the battery is OK it should be charged up enough to start the car again.

...Lee

Post by **abscate** » 23 Aug 2018, 03:50

Try bypassing the key switch using the starter bypass connection on your car

Search for “remote starter connection location” in this forum and look for the 1998 version , get some wire and give it a try.

Post by **scot850** » 23 Aug 2018, 18:56

New batteries can be faulty, and even fail within a year. Most batteries can still have the cells accessed so check the charge in each cell if you can open them without voiding warranty. Battery can test ok, but still have a weak cell.

Check all the grounds around the engine are in place and condition of all the battery cables and connections for corrosion and clean contacts where access is available.

Re-fit battery after a full charge and see if there is a change.

Neil.

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 23 Aug 2018, 22:09

Remote starter connection terminal.
Verified on my '98 C70.

Picture posted by FireFox31

Post by **misha** » 24 Aug 2018, 04:43

Sounds like a weak battery to me.
11.9v is discharged battery...since you allready have a small battery,like you said....it doesn't have enough cca to start the car.

Post by **abscate** » 24 Aug 2018, 08:18

My battery is only at 12.06 volts and after tapping the starter solenoid with a hammer and trying to start the car again a few more times it dropped to 19.94 volts. Still no sound when turning the key, just the fuel pump noise whi

Ignoring the second voltage, 12.06V is a dead battery at room temperature.

zamador · Post by **zamador** » 25 Aug 2018, 17:06

Thanks for all the suggestions. So far I have tried using my roommate's external battery charger. When I hooked it up to the car's battery and tried turning the key to start the car, I heard what sounded like the solenoid firing once, but no other noises. After that it was back to nothing, just the sound of the relay turning the lights off. I haven't tried the remote starter hookup yet but I'm inclined to believe it will do the same thing.

Should I still try to fully charge the battery before deciding it's an issue with the starter motor?

Post by **misha** » 25 Aug 2018, 17:40

zamador wrote: ↑25 Aug 2018, 17:06 ...So far I have tried using my roommate's external battery charger. When I hooked it up to the car's battery and tried turning the key to start the car, I heard what sounded like the solenoid firing once, but no other noises...

You can't hook up a battery charger and start the car with dead battery with it!
You will need to jump it with proper jumper cables.

Post by **abscate** » 25 Aug 2018, 18:25

Should I still try to fully charge the battery before deciding it's an issue with the starter motor?

On a 10 Amp capacity charger for 24 hours, yes.