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97 850 starter troubles

Just purchased 97 850 wagon in great condition. Had a 95 850 wagon previously and loved it with no major issues. A few days after buying it began to have intermittent starting trouble. When the key was turned nothing would happen. Lights and radio would come on but the engine would not even turn over. The first few times after about an hour of waiting we would go out and it would start fine, work for a day or so and then repeat the same scenario. After 3 times I took in to my mechanic who said needed a new starter. Well, after a new starter and battery it worked for 3-4 days just fine and today it did it again. Same symptoms, it would not start or even turn over, after an hour or so it worked. Now it will not start again. Anyone ever had this happen?

Elrodo

Reply to
Jimbo
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Sounds like the ignition lock cylinder is faulty & needs to be replaced Not the electric starter switch

Reply to
Glenn Klein

If it is like my S70 (and it probably is) you should be able trouble shoot it by removing the plastic around the column and removing the switch. If the switch starts the car reliably I would suspect the lock cylinder. If the key ever rotates through 360 degrees order a replacement promptly, it probably does not have long to live. I had to do this, as this is what happened to me. On the bright side you will get a new extra key with the cylinder with no plastic on it.

Reply to
jr

I suspect it is the electrical portion of the ignition switch going bad. You can Google this part to find it. It runs about $80. Bay 13 at volvospeed.com describes the replacement, which you can do quite easily.

Reply to
JDG

I have a 1996 850 GLT wagon. My car started fine when cold, but did not want to start when warm (sometimes even on the second attempt after driving few blocks). I posted to news groups, reaserched circuit diagrams, and came to the conclusion that it is a ignition switch. I changed it on the Volvo dealers parking lot. The problem was still there and finally I took it to independent Volvo garage, they changed the starter and the problem was gone. Maybe you need the ignition switch if the starter change was no go. It is easy, 10 minute job, but at $90 here in Canada, it is not cheap to speculate.

Adam

Reply to
Adam

There's one other thing that nobody's mentioned - the neutral switch. Try starting in neutral instead of park.

Also battery cable connections can act this way - if all the dash warning lights go off in the start position, then it's a power delivery (battery or cable) problem - if they stay on, then it's a switch problem. Note: headlights, wipers, heater fan all go off normally in the start position, don't use them as a guide.

Reply to
Mike F

I had the same problem with my 850 GLT.

Bad starter... several in a row.

Started caring a Heavy stick (2x2) that I could "thump" the starter with.

If it went "...." I would thunk the starter and it would start immediatly. I th> >

Reply to
Bob Sisson

Try this nex time it happens. Turn the car off and then grab the gear shift nob and shake it. There is a switch on the gear shift and sometimes it gets stuck. I experienced this after my wife dumped Coke on the center console. At first it did exactly what happens to you until I shake the gear shift and then turn the key and the car would start. I had the car towed one before I learned this trick. This happens to me one a week.

Reply to
Boll Weevil

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