Volvo AWD 850 Forum

INDEX FOR 10/2025(CURRENT) INDEX FOR 9/2008 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 

Won't start, no clicking, very little juice 850 1997

posted by  mikemccue on  Wed Aug 22 16:06 CST 2007
Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
last visit: Sun Jun 8 16:19 CST 2008
[RELATED]

Car won't start and has very little electrical power. The car ran yesterday but not smoothly. It hesitated during acceleration and would occasionally hiccup while idling. The check engine light came on.
Today it acted like the battery was dead. Tried jumping it but same results. Since the 5 year battery has been in service for 6 years, I replaced it. Not that lucky.
When the key is in the ignition, the chime is very faint. The radio and dash lights are dead, power windows and roof don't operate. When the key is turned to start the engine, the time/temp LCD goes blank then comes back with a whacked out display, then resets to 0:00.
Where do I start on troubleshooting?
All suggestions are appreciated.







  •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

    Won't start, no clicking, very little juice 850 1997

    posted by  someone claiming to be ksg on  Thu Aug 23 07:15 CST 2007 [RELATED]

    Do what Klaus says - I could only add that once I had this constellation of symptoms and found that one of the battery cables was really rotten near the battery post. The cable looked fine on the outside but was corroded inside to where it wasn't really making contact with the connector. There were only a few strands of actual non-oxidized copper, even though the connector and post had been cleaned nicely.








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

    Won't start, no clicking, very little juice 850 1997

    posted by  KlausC on  Thu Aug 23 04:46 CST 2007
    Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
    last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014
    [RELATED]

    You got a new battery, but are the post connectors really clean? Also follow the ground wire and make sure the ground spot is clean and free of corrosion.
    Take the red wires at the battery apart and clean between them until they shine, then put them back together and coat them with petrolium jelly to keep them clean, dielectric grease works also.
    The ground strap can also break or crack, so check that too.
    While the battery is unplugged, connect it to a trickle charger for as long as you can. Every Volvo owner should have a trickle charger :)

    Klaus
    --
    Please answer, we need to know if the advice is good or bad. The 164 has a new home, all I am left with are 2 turbos :)








    •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

      Won't start, no clicking, very little juice 850 1997

      posted by  mikemccue on  Thu Aug 23 07:36 CST 2007
      Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
      last visit: Sun Jun 8 16:19 CST 2008
      [RELATED]

      Thanks for the response.
      I cleaned the cables and used the petroleum jelly. I didn't have time (lunch break) to trace the ground cable. However, last night, in the dark, I jiggled the key and a few console lights appear and the radio briefly lit up.
      Could this be an ignition switch problem?

      Thanks,








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

        Won't start, no clicking, very little juice 850 1997

        posted by  KlausC on  Thu Aug 23 09:09 CST 2007
        Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
        last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014
        [RELATED]

        If the key can make a difference, you betcha! Here is the procedure:
        http://volvospeed.com/Repair/ignit_switch.php

        Note: The write up says to get a #15 Torx driver from sears that is extra long. That will be needed! The screw is recessed about 5 inches into the plastic. Some have broken handles off torx drivers, just to put the wrong end in a drill and have enough length to reach the screw.

        Klaus
        --
        Please answer, we need to know if the advice is good or bad. The 164 has a new home, all I am left with are 2 turbos :)








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

          Won't start, no clicking, very little juice 850 1997

          posted by  mikemccue on  Mon Aug 27 17:01 CST 2007
          Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
          last visit: Sun Jun 8 16:19 CST 2008
          [RELATED]

          Thanks Klaus et al -
          A new ignition switch fixed it along with buffing out the grounding strap on the battery.
          Ye-haw! Back on the road!








      •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

        Won't start, no clicking, very little juice 850 1997

        posted by  someone claiming to be Mr. Norm on  Thu Aug 23 07:56 CST 2007 [RELATED]

        Yes, there is a know ignition key problem that require a replacement. Others can tell you how, but it isn't difficult. My IM did mine about two years ago.







<< < > >>



©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.