My 850 suddenlty won't start, it seems to be turning over but doesn't fire up. I checked the battery and cables had a little bit of corrosion around the the positive terminal but I cleaned that up and even had a neighbour try to jump start but that didn't work either...

any ideas?

if it is the starter as I am suspecting, can I do it myself? never done one before but I think I can handle it if you have any tips?

thanks in advance..Robert.

I just went through something like this--it was the fuel pump.Dealer wanted $339, got it one line for $171 plus overnight for a total of $198. The tow, install, part & overnight shipping came to $326--less than the part alone from dealer. It was worth the day wait.
Hope this helps.

Robert,

Need more definitive facts.

"seems to be turning over"

It's either turning over, or it isn't turning over. If you can't determine if it is turning over, then I suggest that you call a garage.

Once you have determined if it is turning over, is it turning over at the "normal" starter speed, or is it barely turning over?

If you turn on the headlights, are they bright, and do they stay bright for the next 30 seconds? Or are they weak, and get weaker by the second?

The engine does turn over but slowly at a constant rate.
The lights stay bright and only dim when I try to start the car.
When I stop trying to start the car he lights are bright again.

Thanks.
Robert.

If the engine is turning over at better-than a revolution per second, your battery is not preventing your car from starting. It may not be in good shape, but its not the thing that is stopping your car from starting. Likewise, your starter motor is good, 'cause the engine is turning over. The next step is checking to make sure the engine is getting fuel and getting a solid spark. Without being there, we're not going to be able to pinpoint the problem, but the likely sources of the problem are ignition (cap, rotor).

I changed the distributor cap and rotor, they were
both in bad shape but the car still wouldn't start,
still the same symptom so I had it towed to the Volvo
specialist near me and after two hours of trying to
find the problem came up with the fact that the
onboard computer was not working...
This is a very expensive part!!!!!!
They said that they have replaced three of these units
in the last month.
Thanks for your suggestion.

more work & info needed to diagnose.

Does it have fuel?

Does it have spark?

Does it turn over?

Car does have fuel.
It does turn over.
I don't know if it's getting a spark.

Thanks.
Robert.

check your distributer cap and rotar, mine did the same thing the c and r were shot. kelly