Volvo AWD 850 Forum

INDEX FOR 10/2025(CURRENT) INDEX FOR 4/2016 850 INDEX

[<<]  [>>]


THREADED THREADED EXPANDED FLAT PRINT ALL
MESSAGES IN THIS THREAD




  REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE Replies to this message will be emailed.    PRINT   SAVE 

No start -- baby it's cold outside 850 1996

Seasons Greetings to you all.

Bought a 96 850 about a year ago, and over the past year I only put about 800 miles on it. Last year, dead of winter, other vehicle battery was low, I could always rely on the 850 to jump start it, and it did so flawlessly -- one turn of the key, it cranked. Love it. Well, outside temperature here in Kansas has been hovering between 8-15 degrees this week, and I hadn't started or driven the 850 in about two weeks, so I decided rhis morning to go and get gasoline at a station about 15 miles away just to get it on the road. Since it was quite cold, I didn't turn the vehicle off at the pump, which was only about 15 feet away from the service counter, and nobody was at the station pumping gas except me. Topped it off with 91 octane, drove home (a real joy, since it's a 5-speed), backed it into my parking space back at home ... and when I turned the ignition off it just made a slight <> sound, just enough to notice. Thought that was weird, so I tried to turn the ignition back on, ... and nothing. No starter whine, no engine trying to turn over, nothing. My first thought was that my battery may be low, but I am also suspecting it may be a completely failed starter. Dashboard lights, headlights, all accessories come on, although I did notice that the radio was asking for the security code which is why I thought it may be a battery issue. Trying to wait for a break in the outside temperature to look further, however, I looked for the starter from under the vehicle (not hoisted, just crawled under it) but didn't see it, nor did I see it from the topside. Yeah, I know, I'm an idiot, but can someone give me the location of the starter so I can wrap on it and see if that might give me some clue as to whether it is the starter after all before I go out and buy a new battery? As usual, mucho thanks.








  •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE Replies to this message will be emailed.    PRINT   SAVE 

    No start -- baby it's cold outside 850 1996

    A bad altinator will not prevent the starter motor from turning the engine, it could prevent it from starting if the battery is just below 12V, but in most instances the engine will run until the voltage gets so low that the spark plugs will no longer fire.

    Brushes could possibly be bought separately if we only knew the exact fitment. The closest I can come is this:
    http://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo-voltage-regulator-100amp-9130518

    A phillips screwdriver is needed for removal - no torx. A pick&pull will sell you one for cheap as you do not know how good the magnetic brushes are on the wreck.

    Same for getting a starter motor. It could be that yours is dead or a wire just came loose - happens.

    BTW, pushing in the small flat screw driver 'screw' in the light switch and turning it to 11:00 o'clock will turn off your daytime running lights (headlights/taillights) and help to preserve your battery until you get the car running nicely.








  •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE Replies to this message will be emailed.    PRINT   SAVE 

    No start -- baby it's cold outside 850 1996

    The starter is connected to the engine at the flywheel, so it is below the #5 rail of the intake manifold.

    Check the battery terminals first. Corrosion is not friendly. The radio asking for a code indicates a loose or weak connection. The very cold air doesn't help the metal to metal connectors. At least it isn't as cold down there as it has been in the Twin Cities.

    The dash lights coming on mean that your battery has at least 9V, the starter needs about 11V.

    If the alternator brushes are getting old, you may only be getting 13V delivered to the battery for a recharge. A stop at any autoparts store to check both the battery and alternator is needed. If you have a trickle charger, plug it in tonight and leave it on for a long time. BTW, it is possible to replace the brushes and leave the alternator in the car. The hard part is to find the brush assembly at a reasonable price.








    •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE Replies to this message will be emailed.    PRINT   SAVE 

      No start -- baby it's cold outside 850 1996

      Took the battery to be charged (it was at 0%) to local O'Reillys. Let it get full charge, installed, turned key, same as before. Gotta check alternator next, and maybe make a trip to the local boneyard. Dang. BTW, Klaus what's up if changing the brushes in the alternator is needed? What kind of brushes needed?








      •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE Replies to this message will be emailed.    PRINT   SAVE 

        No start -- baby it's cold outside 850 1996

        Did O'Reilly's do a load test on the battery? The battery can have normal voltage but insufficient current to operate the starter. If it fails the load test, you need a new battery, but that might not be the end of the story.

        Start the car and measure the voltage across the battery terminals. You should see between 13.7-14.2VDC with the car running. If not, suspect your alternator. Klaus gives good advice about the brush/regulator pack. Unless your alternator is making bearing noises, this will most likely fix things up.

        The positive and negative cables are suspect in cars of this vintage, and the 850/V70 ones are more complex than most. Inspect those carefully too.

        I'm not sure about the 850 series, but for the V70s you are supposed to reconnect the battery in key position II.

        Good luck!








  •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

    No start -- baby it's cold outside 850 1996

    I'd guess dead battery before dead starter.
    Clean the connections first.
    Can you jump it from another car?
    --
    "Differences of opinions should be tolerated, but not if they're too different' - Sharon Craig








  •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

    No start -- baby it's cold outside 850 1996

    if you are standing above the engine compartment near the battery you can sorta glimpse the corner of it if you look below the throttle body and air intake tubes. it's mounted against the engine along the median of the engine block and transmission. it's small and hides under there pretty good. you might be able to follow the battery wire to it. i have had a similar problem once but i needed to clean the battery terminals. good luck!
    --
    -woodsy; 257k 1995 850 wagon; 168k 2000 V70 XCAWD







<< < > >>



©Jarrod Stenberg 1997-2022. All material except where indicated.


All participants agree to these terms.

Brickboard.com is not affiliated with nor sponsored by AB Volvo, Volvo Car Corporation, Volvo Cars of North America, Inc. or Ford Motor Company. Brickboard.com is a Volvo owner/enthusiast site, similar to a club, and does not intend to pose as an official Volvo site. The official Volvo site can be found here.