not starting problem

Bugger the mechanical woodpecker. The car has got thru MOT, now had a puncture and then this starting problem re-occurs! The 440 1.7 has an intermittent prob and won't start. Battery seems to have enough oomph. Lights are on and when I turn the ignition key nowt happens - can't hear anything either. If I put the car in 1st gear and rock her - with the ignition off - then try again, it tends to start. Not a constant problem, just every now and then. Just had annual service and garage said that they had checked the connections to the starter and greased them. Any thoughts please?

[Daniel M]

Im no mechanical genius, but i had a problem identical to yours on my old 1.7, (although it didn't need rocking!), and i found it ti be a dodgy positive battery cable-just needed reconnecting as it had come loose. Perhaps you've already tried it, i don't know. Just an idea.

Dan M

sounds like a dodgy ignition cable between the barrel and the engine?

did not start tonight, wed, just heard a faint click from the engine bay. tried again - without rocking the car - and it started . will investigate weekend when it is daylightand I am at home!

When the car turns over, how would you describe it, Fast? Slow? or what? My reason for asking is that it could be a Dodgy Starter i.e either worn brushes or a damaged commutator section, or a very dodgy Solonoid. I'd go with the latter as that's what was wrong with mine, replaced the solonoid and all was normal.

Try that and see what happens....

Regards
Dave M

Turns over when starts with normal speed of engine starting and seem to be full battery power. Did it again tonight - but started without rocking - my arm muscles are getting very dtrong now ;-)

Burger that for a game of soldiers! Spent his Sat morning on her. Been trying to find the starter motor and the solenoid on my 440 Volvo. Tis well hidden from above the engine bay and almost impossible to see. From below, using ramps, tis virtually as bad with an exhaust heat shield in the way plus other bits of plumbing and engine/steering/frame parts. Can easily tell that it's a Renault engine designed to use in the U.K.
Anyway have tried the religious approach. Sprayed it liberally with holy water (WD40) and pray that it will start each time. Have to take it to my local friendly grease monkey in the holidays methinks! Thanks for the help anyway folks.

When you were underneath, did you check the connections to see if any were slack? You could always remove the connections, clean them and retighten, then stand back and fingers crossed, it should work!!! :-) :-)


Regards
Dave M

Gotta local gent from near Beverley who has a barnful of old Volvos to put a better starter motor/solenoid in. Cost £65 in all inc loan of car for the time being. Also did the front 2 doors central locking whihc was ify.

result - my car starts every time without a shobe. I am happy.

May be worth just checking charge of battery with a voltmeter. The charge needs to be over 12 volts to start the engine. Should read between 12.5 and 13.5 ideally. I had the same problem with my volvo 440 1.7; lights on but no starting at a reading of 12.42 volts. If the battery has had non-distilled water added to the cells it may not hold its top-end of charge for as long as it should.