In 11 months of ownership the '89 wagon had never failed to start. Even the few times we've had sub freezing temps this winter it always fired right up.
It started just fine this morning but after work it wouldn't crank. I couldn't even hear the starter solenoid click when I turned the key. Idiot lights were barely visible. The door chime sounded weakly but dropped in pitch when I put the key in the 'start' position. I accidentally hit the wiper switch and the arms moved a bit and stopped.
So I quick like checked the owner's book just to refresh my memory on the advisability of jump starting and Volvo said it was okay. Got a jump from a co-worker and it started instantly. We removed the cables almost immediately and it continued to run. Let it run for a couple of minutes and figured if it was going to crap out when driving it would probably do so pretty quickly. It ran normally the entire 10 mile drive home.
I left it running in the driveway while I ran inside and got my voltmeter. The reading was 14V which I believe is about right. I turned the engine off and the reading was 12.5V which I also believe is about right. After that the engine started up normally.
This has all transpired in the last 90 minutes and I haven't checked anything else but I suppose I should have the battery tested. The sticker indicates it was sold in March, 2006.
What in the world would cause the car to exhibit this sort of behavior?
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'80 DL 2 door, '89 DL Wagon