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850 not starting - ignition switch? 850

I'm looking for some help with my 96 850 wagon that will not start.

I have full power when the key is switched on but no reaction from the starter not even a click. I can hear the fuel pump prime when the key is turned but the starter does nothing. Battery is less than a year old. My first thought is that the starter went but after going through a number of posts I am wondering if it may be the ignition switch. I have had the issues with the lights, turn signals and shift lock for a few months now and thinking that the switch gave up. Has anyone seen an ignition switch cause a no start like this?

I'd like to test this idea before changing the starter but I have not been able to find any information about trying to start the car by bypassing the ignition switch. Is this possible?

Thanks

Rik








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    850 not starting - ignition switch? 850

    Well I tried everything suggested;

    Lights go off when the key is turned. Small spark at the service wire when touched to the + positive terminal. No start either way.

    I am going to try a better wire connection tomorrow before throwing in the towel and getting the new starter. One additional question, I'm blanking on the PNP switch???








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      850 not starting - ignition switch? 850

      The PNP switch is the Park-Neutral-Position switch on an automatic transmission. It actually tells the transmission more information than just park and neutral but the starter will not engage unless it determines that the shifter is in either park or neutral.

      Just for grins try rowing the shifter back and forth from low to park a couple of dozen times and then try to start the car either in park and again in neutral if park doesn't work. The PNP switch is filled with grease and the grease, particularly as it ages, gets stiff when it gets cold outside.

      The dreaded flashing up arrow light is also an indicator of a PNP switch problem.

      ...Lee








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    850 not starting - ignition switch? 850

    There is a service starter wire that is, more or less, just behind the airbox. It is a green/red wire with only an open terminal that stick out of the wiring harness. Run a wire from the positive battery cable and touch that wire. If the starter is good it should crank over. It will spark when you touch the wires together.

    ...Lee








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      850 not starting - ignition switch? 850

      LOL

      Lee, I would do that in reverse! Clamp a wire to the service wire and then touch the + on the battery. No need to melt the service wire lead while you are bending over the engine. Shocking!!

      I used to start my old VW bug with a long screwdriver back in my college days. I eventually put a button switch under the dash, I couldn't afford a new starter or solenoid.

      Klaus
      --
      Volvoless. Sold the R. There is now a void...








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        850 not starting - ignition switch? 850

        Either way will work except that the service starter wire has - as I recall - a female spade lug terminal. I did forget to mention that the service starter wire is before the PNP switch so a bad PNP switch would also prevent it from starting even if the starter is good.

        Klaus, the screwdriver trick is a good one that has saved my bacon before. For some unknown reason Mercruiser uses a solenoid relay to switch power to the solenoid on the starter on their outdrives. I was about 40 miles down the lake when the solenoid relay died and my boat wouldn't start. The screwdriver tricked worked like a champ and I got us back to the cabin!

        ...Lee








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    850 not starting - ignition switch? 850

    Rick:

    there is an easy way to figure out if its the switch or the starter.....

    Turn you headlights on with someone or a wall in front of you. Try to start the car. If the headlights dim,......your starter has failed. If they don't dim, it could be the switch.

    If you have to replace the starter.....you will need to remove the electric fan assem. (3 phillips screws) to have enough room to work.







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