Hi

My 97 850 N/A won't start up - actually it will not crank at all.

When I turn the ignition key half way, the dash lights come on and also the headlights, as expected. When I turn the key all the way, the headlights go out (as expected) and the dash lights dim a bit, but it does not crank. There is no clicking sound, just silence. The battery seems to have plenty of juice.

PNP swtch? The symptoms seem to fit a bad PNP switch. However, there is no prior history of the flashing UP arrow, or any of the other symptoms that go with a bad PNP switch. Also, I moved the shift lever back and forth like a maniac, to no avail. Is the PNP switch still a possibility?

Ignition switch? This car's ignition switch has been acting up lately (have to wiggle key to get out of park, and to turn off ABS light). So I wonder if the electrical portion of the igntion switch could also be responsible for the no-crank problem? I have removed the old one and opened it up, but did not see any obvious problem with the mechanism or the contacts. Replacement has been ordered.

What else should I check next? Some relay (where, and how)? The solenoid?

Thanks in advance.

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'97 850 n/a Wagon, 170K mi ... '98 V70R AWD 106K mi

This sounds exactly like what I posted last week. It turned out to be my starter. $45 used at a local yard and $120 install at the dealer and she's good as new. Hated to tow it in but we got 12" of snow this past weekend and I had no garage to work in.

I had the same concern about the switch when my car wouldn't start. I got a practically new starter on ebay for 40 bucks and the guy at the junk yard (arizona) sent the starter with a little diagnostic guide. It said that if the headlights dim when you try to start the car, that means the switch has done its job and sent all avail current to the selenoid of the starter....so it sounds like you need a new starter.....Haynes book says Manual shift volvo's sometimes get the teeth jammed into the flywheel and you need to rock the car......who has a manual shift?

Time for a newer starter? Your hint that the dash lights dim, points to an inoperable solenoid. If you DIY, remove the engine fan and you will have room to work the starter out.
Also check out the red wire contacts on the battery post. They might be crudded and need cleaning. Verify that the red wires are not cracked and the battery has at least 10V.
If the battery is too low, it will also do the same thing. I believe 9V is required to excite the starter. The headlights will appear bright down to 4V.

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

Well JUST before I was going to dig in to replacing the starter, I checked the battery voltage under load (ignition, heater fan, brights on) and it was 8.5 V (12.1 w/o load). On my V70 the same load test yielded 11.5V. Swapped in the battery from the V70 and the 850 started right up. Boy did I feel stupid... yet relieved.

Thanks Klaus for mentioning that the starter will not kick in below a certain voltage. I guess what threw me off was that I did not hear a clicking sound.

Once again I fell victim to my tendency to make things more complicated than they are...

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'97 850 n/a Wagon, 170K mi ... '98 V70R AWD 106K mi

Thanks for your replies, Klaus and Gwen. I am getting a rebuilt starter and will get to work tonight. Will report my experiences.
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'97 850 n/a Wagon, 170K mi ... '98 V70R AWD 106K mi