Hi, I have a 88 740 gle. It was starting fine but now I only hear a click-click when I turn the key on. I try to start it with cables but it doesn't work. I clean the starter positive and negative pole who were rusty, It doesn't work. What do I have to do now ?
Thank you

 

Go to www.stepbystepvolvo.com for free guide to diagnosing 740 no-starts. If your engine does not turn over, it's probably the battery, battery cable connections including grounding, or broken wire somewhere in ignition system.

 

You don't have to go to another site. We can probably diagnose it here.

First, clean the battery terminals and cable connectors. Wire brush. Coat with Vaseline or battery terminal protectant.

Post back.

 

do all the lights go very dim or out when you hear the click, click, then come back when you let off the key?

 

Hey, thank's for the reply, I cleaned the battery terminals, ground wire, cable connectors and lubrified them. The battery is good too. I put the key on, dashlight are normally dimming when I try to start but all I can hear is clicking.Is it the starter?

Thank's again .

 

Next likely suspect is the starter solenoid. Have a helper turn the key to start the engine. At the same time take a wooden broom handle and hit the starter a couple times. Sometimes that will jar the solenoid and engage the starter motor. Sometimes not. But it's worth a try and would confirm a bad starter solenoid.

Could also be the ignition switch.

 

Are you sure the battery is good? A good battery has 12.2 volts DC or so with ignition off. Voltage measures 13.0 - 13.5 volts when engine is running (meaning the alternator works). Sometimes a battery measures over 12 volts after you charge it up, but then quickly runs down to, say, 9-10 volts. That means it's a faulty battery because it cannot hold charge.

If you tried jumping it with cables and it didn't start and didn't turn over, then you're not feeding the starter solenoid. I agree with Blue Goose. Trace back from there through ignition circuit.

 

Hey! The car now starts fine, thank's to all, I charge up the battery who was at 75 % and I change the ground connection on the engine who was almost done. But now there is a spinning sound like if the starter was stuck and keep rotating, any idea ? I canhear the noise a moment after the car is shut off .
It doesn't sound very good .

Thank's for your help !

 

Try tightening the fan belts.

 

I finally have to change the alternator who was noisy and didn't charge the battery correctly. I change the belt too. Thank's again !