240 General: Intermittent starting problem

[npinabd]

On the way to a wedding on Sunday I pulled into a farm shop but the 240 wouldn't restart. The engine did not turn and there was no clicking (whatsoever) from the starter solenoid. The battery was fine and all the dash warning lights came on as usual. But on turning the key all the way absolutely nothing happened. So I had to get the wife (in her wedding togs) to push the big old Volvo just enough to get it rolling down a grassy slope and I was able to jump start it. Mrs P has called with this problem before but whenever I've gone out later it has started fine. This time there was no mistaking her previous claims.

Could this be a problem with the ignition switch itself?

I threatened the Volvo that unless this sort of thing stopped she was off to the crusher - this is the best Volvo 240 I've had in terms of body shape but one of the worst for reliability and this really is her last chance.

So please, any words of wisdom most gratefully recevied.

NP

[honestjoe]

Hi i suppose the ignition could be at fault...but i would check all connections to the starter motor first as this is more likely to be the culprit..you say all the dashlights are on and the battery is fine..Do the the dashlights dim as you engage starter?...if not, then check and clean all wires to starter motor..I have to say that i have not come across a dodgy ignition switch yet on a 240..only once on a jeep wrangler..It does sound like a bad connection somewhere...cheers hj.

[chesters6]

stick a pole in the boot and if it occurs again lift the bonnet and bang the starter with the pole careful of the wires and then wiggle the wires to the starter,if it starts when you turn the key again your starter needs attention
it maybe nothing more than corroded terminals on the solenoid.
i fitted a alarm to mine with a wire to disable the starter ,it works fine but occasionally even with the alarm off you cannot start the car ,i now have put the original wire back on

[Porkchop]

Originally Posted by chesters6

stick a pole in the boot and if it occurs again lift the bonnet and bang the starter with the pole careful of the wires and then wiggle the wires to the starter,if it starts when you turn the key again your starter needs attention
it maybe nothing more than corroded terminals on the solenoid.
i fitted a alarm to mine with a wire to disable the starter ,it works fine but occasionally even with the alarm off you cannot start the car ,i now have put the original wire back on

Additional to that I've had the same fault which was rectified temporarily by a modest tap or two with a hammer on the starter motor casing by a roadside assistance guy. It either usually frees up stuck brushes or drops the (very) worn brushes so they come into contact with the commutater. In any case it does indeed signify a trip to the auto electrician, which isn't a particularly expensive job incidentally