Car won't start

PieterT · Mar 25th, 2010, 17:43

My 745 (1986, 230K) won't start anymore, the start motor does not turn. I installed a new battery as the old was was 7 years old. That did not help, so I installed another start motor, which did not help either.
If I turn on the key, usually not all dashboard light work. I suspect it is a mass problem, do I used a cable from the battery to different points in the chassis/engine. That did not help either.
Anyone an idea?

OldBlueVolvo · Mar 25th, 2010, 17:52

Is the gearbox an automatic?

PieterT · Mar 25th, 2010, 18:17

No, manual.

CTCNetwork · Mar 25th, 2010, 18:25

Hi,

The ignition barrel perhaps?
FAQ: Ignition barrel...

Des. . .

OldBlueVolvo · Mar 25th, 2010, 18:31

Check that battery is charged. Check battery ground. Check starter motor ground.

You could bypass the ignition switch by connecting a cable to the starter motor terminal and touching the other end against the battery positive, but best to get a second opinion before doing this.

PieterT · Mar 25th, 2010, 20:14

Battery is charged, I'll check all grounds tomorrow.

OldBlueVolvo · Mar 26th, 2010, 16:00

I guess you have a multimeter?

Test the voltage between starter motor ground and the thick red cable on the starter motor. It should be the same as the battery voltage.

Test the voltage between the starter motor ground and the blue-green wire on the starter motor while turning the key to try to start the engine. It should be 12V during starting and 0V the rest of the time.

I suspect you'll find that you don't see 12V on the blue-green wire during cranking. If so, the fault most likely lies in the ignition switch or the wiring thereto.

I only base what I have written on my interpretation of the wiring diagram so hopefully this is all correct.

So far there's only been three times where my car wouldn't start. One was a flat battery, one was a blocked fuel filter and the other was when I ran out of petrol outside where I live. Oh, and the car broke down once and wouldn't restart for an hour so that makes four times.

I'm currently doing some re-wiring around my engine so I have taken photos of most of the wiring...

HTH

PieterT · Mar 26th, 2010, 19:39

Thank you for your input. I have a multimeter, so I'll do the checks tomorrow.
To be continued...

RealEstate · Mar 27th, 2010, 08:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by CTCNetwork

FAQ: Ignition barrel...

Work your way through the FAQ.
All the best,

PieterT · Mar 27th, 2010, 11:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldBlueVolvo

I suspect you'll find that you don't see 12V on the blue-green wire during cranking. If so, the fault most likely lies in the ignition switch or the wiring thereto.

HTH

Indeed, no 12V.

Mar 25th, 2010, 17:43	#1
PieterT New Member Last Online: Mar 30th, 2010 20:19 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: near Leiden	Car won't start My 745 (1986, 230K) won't start anymore, the start motor does not turn. I installed a new battery as the old was was 7 years old. That did not help, so I installed another start motor, which did not help either. If I turn on the key, usually not all dashboard light work. I suspect it is a mass problem, do I used a cable from the battery to different points in the chassis/engine. That did not help either. Anyone an idea?

Mar 25th, 2010, 17:52	#2
OldBlueVolvo VOC Member Last Online: May 4th, 2023 20:38 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: West Sussex	Is the gearbox an automatic? __________________ William 745 GL - 1986, B230K 745 GLE - 1987, B230E

Mar 25th, 2010, 18:25	#4
CTCNetwork Forum Support Team Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Liège, Belgium View Photos By: CTCNetwork	Hi, The ignition barrel perhaps? FAQ: Ignition barrel... Des. . . __________________ Density:- Not just a measurement ~ It's a whole way of Life.! ! ! I drive a Volvo, Please Don't Get In My Way! OldVolvos4Ever He shows up. People die. He vanishes. People should not be afraid of their governments. "He'll deliver more justice in a weekend than 10 years of your Governments should be afraid of their people... "V" courts & tribunals. Just stay out of his way." "I plan to."

Mar 25th, 2010, 18:31	#5
OldBlueVolvo VOC Member Last Online: May 4th, 2023 20:38 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: West Sussex	Check that battery is charged. Check battery ground. Check starter motor ground. You could bypass the ignition switch by connecting a cable to the starter motor terminal and touching the other end against the battery positive, but best to get a second opinion before doing this. __________________ William 745 GL - 1986, B230K 745 GLE - 1987, B230E

Mar 26th, 2010, 16:00	#7
OldBlueVolvo VOC Member Last Online: May 4th, 2023 20:38 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: West Sussex	I guess you have a multimeter? Test the voltage between starter motor ground and the thick red cable on the starter motor. It should be the same as the battery voltage. Test the voltage between the starter motor ground and the blue-green wire on the starter motor while turning the key to try to start the engine. It should be 12V during starting and 0V the rest of the time. I suspect you'll find that you don't see 12V on the blue-green wire during cranking. If so, the fault most likely lies in the ignition switch or the wiring thereto. I only base what I have written on my interpretation of the wiring diagram so hopefully this is all correct. So far there's only been three times where my car wouldn't start. One was a flat battery, one was a blocked fuel filter and the other was when I ran out of petrol outside where I live. Oh, and the car broke down once and wouldn't restart for an hour so that makes four times. I'm currently doing some re-wiring around my engine so I have taken photos of most of the wiring... HTH __________________ William 745 GL - 1986, B230K 745 GLE - 1987, B230E Last edited by OldBlueVolvo; Mar 26th, 2010 at 16:45.

Mar 25th, 2010, 18:17	#3
PieterT New Member Last Online: Mar 30th, 2010 20:19 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: near Leiden	No, manual.

Mar 25th, 2010, 20:14	#6
PieterT New Member Last Online: Mar 30th, 2010 20:19 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: near Leiden	Battery is charged, I'll check all grounds tomorrow.

Mar 26th, 2010, 19:39	#8
PieterT New Member Last Online: Mar 30th, 2010 20:19 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: near Leiden	Thank you for your input. I have a multimeter, so I'll do the checks tomorrow. To be continued...

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