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1993 240 won't start at all. This is sudden, in the sense that I haven't been experiencing any problems recently.
Battery had corrosion crystals on post, which I believe were new as I didn't notice them when I was under the hood not long ago. Took battery to Autozone, tested bad, got new battery. Still no start.
Engine doesn't turn at all, and I don't hear a thing. All the lights on the bottom row of the dash do come on when I turn the key, though, and I can operate the windows, etc.
So, I should be thinking ignition system? I've never done much electrical, so I can use some help with the troubleshooting. I have Bentley book and Haynes, and they list a bunch of stuff to check, but I'm wondering what are the most common problems. I didn't have the books with me when I went to put the new battery in (I was so sure it was the battery!), so I didn't even know about a fuse near the front fender that Haynes mentions. Should I check there first? Check the solenoid? I won't be able to get over there until Sunday morning, and the car is on a fairly busy city street, so I want to go there with a plan.
One other thing that might be relevant: In the last week or so I have noticed that when I turn the car off, there is some resistance while I turn the key to the left. But, like I said, other electrical stuff does work when I turn the key to the right.
Thanks for your help.
Harry
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I noticed you said you had crystals on the battery post. That means an sulphated battery. Vapors coming out the vent caps from a shorted cell or cells.
Bad cables helped keep the battery under charged for some time.
I would pulled both cables off the car and inspect them carefully. Look past the ends and up under the insulation on the wires. Clean the connection points.
There are ways to check them with a voltmeter without removing them. I tried posting that once before. It is hard to explain. You are past maintenance.
You need to get 20 to 30 amps. min. just to pull closed the starter solenoid contacts. 200 to 300 amps to turn the engine over.
You can jump the solenoid with a screwdriver to bypass the thoughts of the ignition switch for now.
Trick is you need power down there first.
Phil
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What about a jumper cable from battery directly to solenoid? I think Haynes mentioned something about that. Wouldn't that avoid the ignition as well as the battery cables altogether? Would that even start the car?
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"What about a jumper cable from battery directly to solenoid? I think Haynes mentioned something about that. Wouldn't that avoid the ignition as well as the battery cables altogether? Would that even start the car?"
It would if it made the solenoid work, and you had the key turned ON. But you could first try jumping battery 12V to the "Service Socket" on the firewall, the red lead with black end just behind the tranny dipstick in the picture. It leads to the starter solenoid, but goes thru the Neutral Safety Switch (NSS), which is sometimes a problem on auto tranny cars.
If that jumper doesn't work, then you could try jumpering direct to the solenoid terminal like you mentioned. To be safe, avoid making sparks at the battery by working the jumper carefully at the solenoid terminal.
Also, if you suspect the ignition switch you can check for 12V at the Service Socket with the key in the cranking position.
An Art Benstein photo, shamelessly copied.
--
Bruce Young, '93 940-NA (current), 240s (one V8), 140s, 122s, since '63.
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The last two time I had experience with this was with a coworkers Nissan and my son's 940 with 160k. In both cases it was a stuck solenoid or some other starter related problem. In both cases, a couple raps with a lug wrench freed whatever was stuck or failing. Both cars were able to start multiple times, especially my son's 940. If this works, get a new starter.
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Interesting - I'll give that a shot, and report back. Thanks for responding.
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The '93 doesn't have the Fuse on the Fender as Haynes refers. I think it stopped in '90.
Yes, Try a few wraps on the starter and try starting. This has bailed me out over the years. Flat spot on Starter Coils or a stuck solenoid. If the Car Cranks after that, you know it's new Starter time.
You need to be more detailed. 'Car does start'... Does that mean it Cranks but wont Start or you get nothing at all or you only hear a clicking from under the hood?
--
'75 Jeep CJ5 345Hp ChevyPwrd, two motorcycles, '85 Pickup: The '89 Volvo is the newest vehicle I own. it wasn't Volvos safety , it was Longevity that sold me http://home.lyse.net/brox/TonyPage4.html
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Nothing meaning the starter does not turn? If it's an automatic wiggle the shifter it may be the neutral safety switch.
Dan
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It is automatic. I should have checked the shifter! Especially since it was my wife who had the car when it died, and she hardly drives it. Maybe she doesn't have the feel for the shifter. I'll check it out Sunday morning.
To answer your question - no, I don't think the starter turned - I was alone, and didn't hear anything at all. I'll have someone else with me Sunday so we can listen more carefully.
Let's say it doesn't turn at all, and the shifter is definitely in Park. What would you check next?
Thanks
Harry
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Check for Volts on the blue/yellow wire on the solenoid with ignition switch to start mode.
Even if the shifter is in park or neutral wiggle the shifter, this started my daughter and wife a few times.
Dan
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Holy smokes - wiggling the shifter worked! So, thanks to you all the other replies and to other forums on this site, I'm going to be ready with perhaps a remote starter switch or to deal with the neutral safety switch in some way.
Thank you everyone.
Harry
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If you take yours out or get a spare used one it can be taken apart and contacts cleaned and will work just fine.
Dan
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Good point. Thanks, I'll keep that in mind.
Harry
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...can be found HERE .
It was written about the Backup Light contacts, but it's the same Neutral Safety Switch aka NSS.
--
Bruce Young, '93 940-NA (current), 240s (one V8), 140s, 122s, since '63.
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harry,
I would give a good inspection and cleaning to your battery cables, I would also check your grounds.
then...
I would try bypassing the neutral safety switch (run a search here using keywords: "jumper" "bypass" "neutral safety switch")
if that doesn't get it going…
try jumping the starter (theres a couple ways to do this on these cars, again search here and find the way your most comfortable with. If the starter don't start well, then you'll need a new starter.
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