So I have searched the boards and found the obvious battery charge, connections issues. I already did that, I am new to the volvo family as my girlfriend and I purchased this almost mint condition 1979 Volvo 245, witht he old roof rack, its awesome. I drove it home knowing that the radio was not working, nor the dash backlight, it started hesitantly... After taking a look at the battery I knew it need replacing, especially when I pulled 9 volts off of it with my voltmeter. So I bough new "ends" for the wires to connect to the battery terminals and cut away some fresh copper. Started on my first try, feeling awesome right now, then it died, because it was 25 degrees and I let off the gas too quickly. Second time started, again, then the starter would not turn over the engine anymore. Granted last night I was running the starter quite a bit trying to get the engine to crank on the old battery, but I thought I fixed the problem...

Are there any under the hood fuses to look at...
Where can I find a pdf manual for this thing...

Thanks to all.

 

Click, click sounds like the starter motor. Possibly the contacts within.

 

Had that happen before, Weirdly it was the battery. Tried charging it, was just shot.

 

I would use a remote starter. Clip one end to terminal 50 (blade terminal) on starter solenoid and other end to + of battery. Turn ignition to On. Then hit remote starter button. If it starts, then the problem is in the ignition key circuit. If it doesn't start, then it is either a bad starter solenoid or starter motor. All this assumes you have a good battery.

A good battery should be above 12.1 VDC after an overnight interval. Check first thing in the morning before attempting a start. Note that there is some leeway with this figure, as I have been able to start the engine once with the battery at about 11.9 VDC. But that was a rare occurrence.

 

The cold will tax a battery, they lose LOTS of cranking power when they get below 10 degrees c. A battery at near 0c (32f) has lost almost half it's cold cranking current rating.
I bet you need a new battery, you mentioned 9 volts. Two things batteries hate is the cold, and being left well under charged. I think it's toast.

Regards, Andrew.

 

9 volts could indicate a bad cell in the battery and it is very common if the battery is over three years old and it's more common as mentioned above in colder climates. I would take the battery to a local auto parts store to have it tested most places will test it for free if it tests ok have them charge it for you if that fails. Then I would replace the starter solenoid. I would also make sure your ground wire is secure where it connects to the frame/block.

There are my two cents worth

 

I guess I did not make it clear, First thing I did was cut the battery leads and put on new "connectors/ends" on the fresh copper for the battery terminals, and purchase a brand new battery. After cleaning up the ground to the frame I have had no problems cranking. However it does not always start right away, sometimes it takes three long cranks.

I have noticed the smell of gas and I am thinking that the engine is possibly running quite rich. The spark plugs and wires were all changed within a year or two ago. We moved the past two days and started and turned it off several times and she ran quite well.

So next is to get her starting first crank. Places to start...