Ok I just recently purchased a 94 850T. It started hard since b4 I bought it, but started and ran fine. Havent had a chance to check codes since ive only had it a week. Heres the problem. I had the windshield replaced today. After it was said and done, went to start the car and it cranked, but no go. Fuel pump is working, relays are clicking. I tried continuously cranking it and every now and then it would catch for a second. At this point the battery was getting low (already hooked up to jumper cables) so I had to take short breaks between cranking. After more cranking its catching in a rhythmic nature. By this I mean it cranks, catches (rpms jump to 1k), cranks, catches repeatedly. Can anyone please shed some light on this situation? I have no vehicle right now until I get it started. Should I keep cranking (the battery is exhausted and needs to be charged)? Is their a sensor that could cause these symptoms? Please, your responses are greatly appreciated.

Yes.

I had exactly that experience with my 850 about 12 months ago (i.e. crank but not fire).

Then I read on one of the forums that, in certain almost freak circumstances, oil can somehow seep down behind the valves, keeping them slightly ajar.

The solution is to get in the car, push the accelerator down to the floor (and keep it there), turn the ignition key to the 'start' position and hold it in that position until the vehicle fires.

The first time I tried this method I chickened out after about 40 seconds thinking I would burn out the starter motor.

Other forum members encouraged me to keep trying (I've actually left a detailed write-up on my eventual experience on one of the Volvo forums).

So I got a second battery - made sure both were fully charged and jumped one to the other.

I got into the cabin - pushed the accelerator flat to the floor (and it must be kept there until the car actually starts to run) and turned the ignition key to start.

She wound and wound for about 40 or so seconds without any hint of firing, then I got a couple of intermittent half-hearted attempts to fire then back to nothing it all.

I kept grinding away and at around 80 seconds was determined to either (a) flatten the two batteries, (2) burn the starter motor out or (3) get the car to fire.

All during this time the accelerator was flat to the floor and the key held hard in the 'start' position.

Finally at around 85 seconds she fired and coughed into life - and I held the accelerator down for another couple of seconds until she cleared out all the accumulated gunk and then she finally settled down into a nice smooth idle.

By the way - it has never happened again.

Good luck!

Ok Im really frustrated. I picked up a new battery because I completely exhausted the old one cranking. As I said b4 it was cranking and catching cranking and catching. I put in a new battery, now it just cranks. I cranked the entire charge of the battery (about 5 mins) without a single sputter. WTF? I have to go to work now. Im going to borrow a trailer when I get done, come-a-long it onto the trailer and haul it home for better inspection (Ive been working out of the walmart parking lot all afternoon on this).

Searching through the Volvo forums, the longest time I can find for a person to get an 850 started was around six minutes of solid grid on the starter (apparently if the starter is in good condition, it will take it).

Mine took about 85 or so seconds before she decided to fire- and there were a couple of attempts along the way that amounted to nothing.

Before I attempted my second go, I made sure I had two healthy, fully-charged batteries and good quality jumper cables - as the last thing you want to do is defeat what you are attempting to do by losing too power (through voltage drop in the jumper cables themselves).

You push the accelerator hard to the floor, then turn the key onto start (not the other way around) and, once the engine is turning over do not even think of releasing the accelerator - keep it flat-to-the-floor until the engine fires (or you give up).

It could be possible your problem is caused by something else but, if you know you have a good fuel supply (check the pressure at the rail) and your camshaft and crankshaft sensors are doing their job then, the fact the engine is attempting fire, makes me think it is just a matter of perseverance.

Ok real quick b4 work. Cranking did nothing. I replaced spark plugs, appears to be no spark (which is wierd because the engine was catching @ earlier attempts meaning their was spark). !2V @ the wire going to coil and 12V going out of the coil. Shouldnt their be a lot more voltage coming out?

Just an update for anyone wondering, or experiencing the same problem. After various testing through trial and error the problem was found to be the Camshaft Position Sensor. Unfortunately the nearest Volvo dealer wants $250. So it looks as though I will have to wait a couple days to mail order the part. Anybody recommend a reliable, affordable, fast parts dealer? Id also like to say to anyone having a problem starting their Volvo; look for other causes before you start cranking the motor for minutes on end. It is a very freak chance that this would be a solution to a non starting vehicle. It IS hard on the starter and is also bad for the battery. Always check for sufficient fuel and spark; loose wires, corroded connections, ect. I do however appreciate everyones help and responses and am happy to be a member of this ever helpful site.

It is not so freakish as you imply - and I think you will find out by experience (it will take more than two weeks or three though) these very loveable, addictive vehicles seem to have a mind all of their own.

In my case, I was at my wits-end trying to get mine started (and I consider myself a pretty handy back-yard mechanic). It had stopped for no apparent reason at all and, after replacing all the usual culprits (camshaft position sensor, fuel relay, coil, spark plugs, any apparent, dirty or loose connections etc.) it still refused to go.

Completely stumped and somewhat in despair, I stumbled across an article by sheer luck on another forum posted by a chap calling himself redturbo850 (I think I've got his name right).

At first I very much doubted what he had written, it seemed so far out in left-field but, I was in no position to argue, as my 850 was sitting in the garage as dead as a maggot.

To cut a long story short, I decided I had nothing to lose and gave it a burl and, on my second go (on the first go I chickened out grinding over the starter motor after about 50 seconds) she fired up. Please don't think I hold the record by any means - one fellow took 6 minutes before his 850 fired up (also if you search the Volvo forums you will find a very enlightening article explaining what causes this not so uncommon phenomena to occur on an 850).

I cannot give you any proof but apparently, Volvo starter motors will run for a long period without damage and, even though you obviously don't agree, running a battery down can be actually quite good for it.

However, now I'm stuck with a new coil, camshaft position sensor and fuel relay I bought at that time but were not needed however, I'm keeping them for a rainy day.

Finally, I'm glad you have found the problem with your vehicle because they're too good to keep languishing in a garage but, please be just a little bit careful with your advice because you infer my post is a bit loopy la-la, and could quite easily put off someone desperate for any solution when their 850 refuses to start - such as happened to me.

Please take some time to search all the Volvo forums - you will find plenty of instances where this simple remedy has been used quite successfully.

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

to dj, on other cars, you are correct. but on these 850's, like volgrrr posted, and swedspped had on another post, etc to the others who also posted, there are too many instances where a long cranking session has not harmed the starter. and i've also had to crank for over two minutes straight, no probs, either to battery( other than it went flat, but it charged right up) or the starter. guess it must be that cold air over in sweden. i mean, they do over-engineer some parts on these cars. as to fast delivery, ipd or fcpgroton.com, can't get better than fcp on prices or speed of delivery. try before you deny

Hey,

I've just noticed all contributors to this thread are on-line at the same time - most unusual.

:beer:

sweet!!!!

I totally understands that it happens. And i wasnt trying to discourage anybody from doing so if they felt neccisary. But other obvious factors should be checked b4 hand. It is possible to determine if a part is operating without replacing (usually). My reasons for saying what I said are as follows: After all of the attempted cranking my starter has started to sound sickly, hopefully it continues to work without problems, but it definitely sounds not tip-top. Also, I had an older battery in my car (like a lot of people probably do). though the battery was completely functional in normal conditions, after heavy draining, it will now only hold a top charge. If you run something like a new battery or an Optima (like I have in my other car for 5 years and now in this car) it would probably not be a problem. The only other downfall is I now have to change the oil (because of all the fuel) b4 scheduled which isnt a bad thing but can be costly with synthetic oil.

I guess what im saying is, dont always count on an easy fix, though you can be hopeful.

I would gladly take that sensor of your hands if you are interested.

I will be the first to admit that most of you guys know more about volvos than I do. I am completely new to the Volvo world, and am very glad to be a part of it. I have a lot to learn. Take my advice with a shot of penicillin.

shot of penicillin. :haha: , yea that clears everything up. :thumbsup:

except for crabs.....ooops, don't read that last part. :haha:

Really though, thanks for all your help guys. This is off topic, but i couldnt find anything on this through search. I tried to pull some codes following instructions via the manual and I got nothing, not even a 1-1-1. The CEL was on b4 the breakdown and the service light came on once and a while. Thanks