|
700/900 Series General Forum for the Volvo 740, 760, 780, 940, 960 & S/V90 cars |
Information |
|
suddenly starter motor wont engageViews : 2267 Replies : 39Users Viewing This Thread : |
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
|
Feb 12th, 2019, 13:04 | #1 |
New Member
Last Online: Apr 15th, 2023 18:33
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Epsom
|
suddenly starter motor wont engage
Hi all,
having just got my 960 24v estate MOTd, the next time I went to use it, turn the key and nothing. It not the battery - thats fine and also I tried fully charging it - no difference. I read somewhere else about dodgy ignition barrel - well that was already replaced once and also if I put the headlights on, they turn off when the key goes from pos 2 to start position so I figure that's fine? The only sign of something going to be amiss was the day I took it to the MOT, when I started it initially there was a delay of a second or so when nothing happened and then it started as normal although the starter motor sounded a little sluggish. Could it be the starter motor? do they suddenly fail in this way? Or could it be something else? Im feeling a bit gutted because this has always been such a reliable car, dont recall there ever being a time it has failed to start (even when the fuel pump was playing up) thanks Aaron Last edited by 2V8s; Feb 12th, 2019 at 13:06. |
Feb 12th, 2019, 14:26 | #2 |
Premier Member
Last Online: Yesterday 23:44
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Lakenheath
|
Is it manual or auto? First thing i'd check is that the exciter/trigger wire (usually white/red) hasn't come off the starter terminal.
__________________
Cheers Dave Next Door to Top-Gun with a Honda CR-V & S Type Jag Volvo gone but not forgotten........ |
Feb 12th, 2019, 18:58 | #3 |
Master Member
Last Online: Oct 8th, 2022 22:22
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Auckland
|
Highly unlikely the wire has fallen off. However, if you can see the starter motor (not sure of layout on that engine), try this:
|
Feb 13th, 2019, 10:21 | #4 | ||
Premier Member
Last Online: Dec 26th, 2021 13:42
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Crewe
|
Quote:
Quote:
There'll be an over spec voltage drop reading if the earth strap is defective.
__________________
2002 S60 SE D5 Manual 209000 miles |
||
The Following User Says Thank You to cheshired5 For This Useful Post: |
Feb 13th, 2019, 11:24 | #5 |
Premier Member
Last Online: Yesterday 23:44
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Lakenheath
|
The jump lead does that and proves the starter at the same time if it is an earth strap fault.
__________________
Cheers Dave Next Door to Top-Gun with a Honda CR-V & S Type Jag Volvo gone but not forgotten........ |
Feb 13th, 2019, 13:35 | #6 | |
Premier Member
Last Online: Dec 26th, 2021 13:42
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Crewe
|
Quote:
Using a multimeter to measure voltage drop on the live and ground side will identify many more potential faults though so a combination of methods is always handy.
__________________
2002 S60 SE D5 Manual 209000 miles |
|
The Following User Says Thank You to cheshired5 For This Useful Post: |
Feb 13th, 2019, 18:54 | #7 | |
Master Member
Last Online: Oct 8th, 2022 22:22
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Auckland
|
Quote:
There could always be a first time though. |
|
Feb 13th, 2019, 19:08 | #8 | |
Premier Member
Last Online: Yesterday 23:44
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Lakenheath
|
Quote:
It's a common enough occurrence here, usually a gummy residue on the plunger causes the sticking and it works both ways as well - it can hold the starter pinion in once the key has been released, as well as preventing the plunger sliding towards the contacts and mechanically pre-engaging the drive pinion before completing the circuit to the starter motor and switching to the hold-in coil from the pull-in coil. Usually cleaning the plunger with brake or carb cleaner/thinners restores normal operation.
__________________
Cheers Dave Next Door to Top-Gun with a Honda CR-V & S Type Jag Volvo gone but not forgotten........ |
|
Feb 13th, 2019, 19:11 | #9 | |
Premier Member
Last Online: Dec 26th, 2021 13:42
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Crewe
|
Quote:
It depends on climate, starter location and starter design. Certainly not impossible. The solenoid is grounded through the body of the starter and the brushes play no part in this. This can easily be shown by connecting a 12v feed to the solenoid ignition switch and grounding the solenoid body. You could have badly worn brushes or no brushes at all in the starter yet still engage the solenoid.
__________________
2002 S60 SE D5 Manual 209000 miles |
|
The Following User Says Thank You to cheshired5 For This Useful Post: |
Feb 12th, 2019, 19:27 | #10 | |
Premier Member
Last Online: Yesterday 23:44
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Lakenheath
|
Quote:
Could simply be a worn inhibitor switch or even just dirty contacts. Still worth checking the exciter wire, if it's where it should be, not broken, clean and tight connection, give Ash's idea a try. Also worth checking the relays are all pushed fully home in the electrical box behind the ashtray and/or under the bonnet depending on which model you've got - a loose start relay will also cause this problem.
__________________
Cheers Dave Next Door to Top-Gun with a Honda CR-V & S Type Jag Volvo gone but not forgotten........ |
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | |
|
|