Starter isn't getting battery power intermittently.

[Offgrid]

I was impressed with the suggestion that there could be a problem with the engine earthing, and I can't find the suggested braided earth strap. I've just invested a fiver at Halfords, and bought a 12 inch one. I don't really like Halfords, but their store is opposite the Sainsbury's where I'm drinking a coffee. I'll attach it to the chassis where the secondary battery earth is connected, and I'm tempted to bolt the other end to the exhaust manifold, but it's pretty rusty. I may try for an alternative attachment point in case I snap the stud.
I'm going to look after a friend's dog tomorrow morning, and he is going to help me. This entails making sure that no cats run off with any tools, and licking me in the face when I am under the car. I'll swop the starters then.

I did check through the box of spare parts that came with the car, and I hoped there would be a spare starter in there, but no such luck. I did find an ignition module - Bosch 0 227 100 124, but Google doesn't seem to think that is for a Volvo. It might indicate that the car has had some ignition problems in the past, so I guess that means more research.

Trying to revive and run 3 classic vehicles ( is an LDV convoy a classic? ) is certainly fun and intellectually stimulating.

[Rversteeg]

Maybe I missed it, but did you try bypassing the ignition key switch by applying 12V directly onto the starter motor solenoid?
No experience wuith it myself, but as I wrote earlier, I do hear from other owners that the contacts of the ignition switch can get weaker, causing a too weak current to the starter motor relay to switch properly. A new ignition barrel is the solution, but expensive if available at all. Otherwise use an auxiliary relay.

[loki_the_glt]

Originally Posted by Offgrid

I was impressed with the suggestion that there could be a problem with the engine earthing, and I can't find the suggested braided earth strap.

Interesting to note the absence of the strap; perhaps a previous owner removed it when doing some top-end work and didn't replace it? It should run to a bolt-head on the bulkhead somewhere near the centreline.

[Offgrid]

Well I didn't do much this morning. Took the dog for a walk, and fitted the earth strap. I took it from the bolt that secures the earth strap from the battery and connected it to a stud on the second pipe on the exhaust manifold. The exhaust nut came off pretty easily, and that surprised me, as it looks fairly rusty. I did do a bit of cleaning with some emery paper, but I'll do the job properly when I've bought a wire brush for my Dremel. The car seems to run better after fitting the strap, but that may just be wishful thinking.

I didn't manage to do much else after I'd seen the news. George Galloway seems to be in the ascendant with his workers party. Elon Musk announced that he is backing away from EV, and switching to hydrogen powered vehicles. Bitcoin looks as if is continuing to drop before it does another parabolic rise. The Gaza issue is really kicking off, and may well influence the next general election. All in all, it's been a fun morning, and I'm reserving the weekend for the cars.

[Offgrid]

Well I seem to have gone backwards with this. In to Asda for tea and breakfast, then off around the M27 to collect a pair of car ramps. No probs until I collected the ramps. I had to boost the battery to start the car, and I've had to do this on any subsequent starts - about 4. The engine is misfiring a bit, but that could be because I had to get some of that scammy E10 fuel at Asda. It was pretty hot, and at one point the M27 traffic was down to 10mph.

The only thing I can think is that I've got a sensor failing , or failed. I've gone to Sainsbury's to check the circuit diagrams.