Engine 850: B5254S/2.4/20v: - Odd Starting Issue

Cheradenine · Jul 26th, 2012, 18:04

Several times over the past couple of weeks I've had an odd issue with the starter on my '94 850.
On turning the key to the start position, the starter just whirrs. If I then turn the key back a notch & immediately turn it to start again, the car starts.
It's done this 3 times, and once a variation where the car turned over before the starter whirred.

It seems for these events that the solenoid doesn't push the starter gear to engage.
Tuesday I was hoping to get my Dad to help me diagnose the cause, but it wouldn't play ball, until I left when it did the half & half described above.

Pater had convinced me it wasn't an electrical issue (both motor & solenoid would have the same feed), but that doesn't explain the last occurence - there it seems like the solenoid engaged initially, then lost current & disengaged.
Anyhow, it didn't sound like other starting issues a brief search of the forum found, so thought I'd post & ask if anyone else has experience or ideas on this.
Thanks

capt jack · Jul 26th, 2012, 19:57

I've had this on my V70, after it's been left for a while - usually several days - without being started. It's done it at odd times for several years now, but as it's very rare that my car is left unstarted for more than a day, I've never been troubled enough to try to rectify things.

I know exactly the sound you mean - like the starter is spinning much faster than usual, as though it's not engaging.

I wonder if maybe your battery is a bit tired? Might be worth checking the cranking voltage, or perhaps getting an auto-electrician to test the battery for you.

Cheers

Jack

Cheradenine · Jul 27th, 2012, 13:33

Cheers,
I had wondered about the battery, partly because I think it's been more likely to whirr if the ignition's been at position 2 for a bit before starting, also a week or so before I'd thought the car was taking a beat longer to start. On the other hand, the events have happened on days when its had a good run & the battery should be well charged. Still it's probably the simplest check to do to rule the battery in/out properly.

Cheradenine · Jul 30th, 2012, 18:45

Well, I was back up my parents Saturday, helping lay a patio. We took a minute to check the battery voltage; 12.6 engine off & 14.5 running, so probably not that. Still, theproblem's not repeated so hopefully it'll stay intermittent (the combination of a PCV & starter change would mean time to move on).

Jul 26th, 2012, 18:04	#1
Cheradenine Member Last Online: Today 13:28 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Bristol	Odd Starting Issue Several times over the past couple of weeks I've had an odd issue with the starter on my '94 850. On turning the key to the start position, the starter just whirrs. If I then turn the key back a notch & immediately turn it to start again, the car starts. It's done this 3 times, and once a variation where the car turned over before the starter whirred. It seems for these events that the solenoid doesn't push the starter gear to engage. Tuesday I was hoping to get my Dad to help me diagnose the cause, but it wouldn't play ball, until I left when it did the half & half described above. Pater had convinced me it wasn't an electrical issue (both motor & solenoid would have the same feed), but that doesn't explain the last occurence - there it seems like the solenoid engaged initially, then lost current & disengaged. Anyhow, it didn't sound like other starting issues a brief search of the forum found, so thought I'd post & ask if anyone else has experience or ideas on this. Thanks

Jul 26th, 2012, 19:57	#2
capt jack VOC Member Last Online: Jun 10th, 2024 19:15 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Selby, North Yorkshire	I've had this on my V70, after it's been left for a while - usually several days - without being started. It's done it at odd times for several years now, but as it's very rare that my car is left unstarted for more than a day, I've never been troubled enough to try to rectify things. I know exactly the sound you mean - like the starter is spinning much faster than usual, as though it's not engaging. I wonder if maybe your battery is a bit tired? Might be worth checking the cranking voltage, or perhaps getting an auto-electrician to test the battery for you. Cheers Jack

Jul 27th, 2012, 13:33	#3
Cheradenine Member Last Online: Today 13:28 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Bristol	Cheers, I had wondered about the battery, partly because I think it's been more likely to whirr if the ignition's been at position 2 for a bit before starting, also a week or so before I'd thought the car was taking a beat longer to start. On the other hand, the events have happened on days when its had a good run & the battery should be well charged. Still it's probably the simplest check to do to rule the battery in/out properly.

Jul 30th, 2012, 18:45	#4
Cheradenine Member Last Online: Today 13:28 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Bristol	Well, I was back up my parents Saturday, helping lay a patio. We took a minute to check the battery voltage; 12.6 engine off & 14.5 running, so probably not that. Still, theproblem's not repeated so hopefully it'll stay intermittent (the combination of a PCV & starter change would mean time to move on).

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