I have a cranking/hard starting problem. I'll try to describe it as precisely as possible but first some essential information. My car is a 740 GL, 242K miles,automatic tranny,FI,A/C. It always ran fine. About a month ago I started experiencing what I thought was a starter problem. The symptoms are that when I turn the ignition to start the starter cranks then after a second or so it stops. I try it again and it does the same thing. Usually I have to repeat this procedure several times before it starts although sometimes I get disgusted and give up. I've checked the battery, which seems okay. I've changed the starter and alternator but nothing seems to help. One thing I've noticed on one or two of the times I went through my repeated starting sequences is that when the starter was trying to start the motor it gave a sound much like the sound you get when you forget that your car's motor is running and you engage the starter. I do not know if that is important but it is one of the things I noticed. Is there anyone else who has experienced this kind of problem? I would appreciate any comments. Thanks.

Bill Wayne

A bad crank sensor will make a funny, I'm trying to start backwards sorta kinda noise. A hanging up ignition switch will sometimes actually keep the starter engaged while the motor is running for a brief second, until you quick turn the key off out of habit...and a bad key will "hang up" a perfectly fine ignition switch. Do you have another key? Try that first. Then check the other two things.

Chris

Thanks Chris:
The more I think about it the more I'm beginning to believe that I have a bad ignition switch. I'll check it out and post my results.

Regards,
Bill Wayne.

I'm not familiar with 700s but seem to recall a posted problem like yours, where the battery ground cable was faulty.

I think the consensus was that this connection can be a weak link on older 700s, and is easily overlooked (not too accesible?).
--
Bruce Young
'93 940-NA (current) — 240s (one V8) — 140s — 122s — since '63.

Thanks Bruce Young:
The more I think about it the more I'm beginning to believe that I have a bad ignition switch. I'll check it out and post my results.

Regards,
Bill Wayne.

Try checking your starter soleniod - it's what pulls the starter to engage with the flywheel, turning the engine.

Good luck!

-Flup

Thanks Chris:
The more I think about it the more I'm beginning to believe that I have a bad ignition switch. I'll check it and the solenoid out and post my results.

Regards,
Bill Wayne.