Major Ledfoot
Had some dramas with The Cleever (1993 945 turbo) today (a 35 deg C day in the shade) . I'd parked for about 10 minutes after being stuck in stop/start traffic for a while. I returned to the car, turned the key and ...
Nothing.
The lights didn't dim; the starter didn't engage.
Oh great, methinks; a dud battery, when I don't have my battery gizmo with me. I did have a DVM - 12.9 V at the battery. So the guys at Total Tools pull one of their wizz-bang jump start units out; still NBG.
So, I call the NRMA (that's the local version of the RACV or the RACQ for you folks outside The Bottom Baird State) and waited an hour for the battery guy to turn up. The sun has set by this stage, and the ambient temp has dropped about 10 -15 deg, and since I left the hood open, it's cooler under there too. Anyway, the NRMA guy sticks his DVM on it... and then says to me, 'Let's see what happens when you crank it"... and ....
...and...
The bastard starter motor works like nothing has happened and starts the car. That's what happened when I cranked it...
Questions
Do redblock starter motors go dead intermittently like this when they're hot?
Is this starter motor only a smidgin away from becoming permanently deceased?
Are these later model starters repairable, or are they like digital watches and Kias (i.e. throw 'em out since they're not worth fixing)?
Chris
My Father's early 244 started to do this kind of thing, one time when they stopped in the middle of nowhere for photos/cuppa. Had to get a lift to town to get help (pre mobile phone days). Eventually replaced the starter motor
Angus242164
Not something I've seen on a Volvo starter specifically, but it certainly happens to other cars, I've recently replaced two starters on Captiva's for the same symptoms.
If it happens again, give the side of the solenoid a few good hits with a hammer, that'll usually get it going.
Philia_Bear
Replace it
Ive got spare you can have for $10
Vee_Que
The signal wire causes issues, jay replaced one, and had the exact same fault, fitted a relay to power the signal. All good.
jamesinc
I had a starter go like that. If you put battery + to exciter directly it still worked. Replaced the starter and the problem never returned.
DCW242
I've had a similar problem with my '89 740T for a while, it won't be a problem when cold, once you have driven it for a while and go to drive it again it will do the same thing as you described.
Changing the starter didn't fix anything, I found that it wasn't getting enough current to the trigger on the solenoid,
I replaced the wire from the connector at the firewall to the solenoid, bypassed the inhibitor switch, and replaced the ignition switch, one at a time, non of that made any difference.
To start it when it is hot I used a screwdriver to connect between the main power on the solenoid and the trigger.
It is being used daily at the moment and that's pretty inconvenient, to get around it I fitted a relay to the trigger circuit, it hasn't been a problem since.
I've seen about 5 other 700/900 series with a relay fitted, it must be a common problem.
Once it isn't being used as a daily and I have more time to work on it I will try and find out where it is loosing current, but for now the relay has fixed the problem.
deleted_user_160
It's all in the solenoid that fails. That and carbon build up.
Doesn't allow the gear to engage.
I spent a weekend swapping out 3 different known good units (sold as) all suffered similar issues. And a new 760cca battery.
It's mostly the heat that gets them, due to heat expanding different materials at different rates.
What I did was the old school v8 trick.
I run a relay set up directly to the starter it bypasses the solenoid issue that fails.
She starts first time every time with a lot of power it's never had.
Major Ledfoot
Philia_Bear;93075 wroteReplace it
Ive got spare you can have for $10
I'll take you on on this, thanks. When are you home this weekend?
Major Ledfoot
Thanks all for the feedback.
Since the thing has clocked up just over 300,000 km, I'm going to swap out the starter for starters - and if pain persists, add a relay.
Interesting to note that, while I was extracting the engine from The Noodle, there wasn't a huge big earth strap between chassis and engine, like every 140 I've tinkered with.
Philia_Bear
bgpzfm142;93132 wrotePhilia_Bear;93075 wroteReplace it
Ive got spare you can have for $10
I'll take you on on this, thanks. When are you home this weekend?
Today after 4pm and most all day tomorrow
Major Ledfoot
Sweet, See you at around 4pm tomorrow.
Philia_Bear
bgpzfm142;93135 wroteSweet, See you at around 4pm tomorrow.
Easy
