Hey all, I have an 87 volvo 240 and two times in these past three weeks it has not started. I hop in it, turn the key, and nothing happens except the dash lights up. The first time it wouldn't start I got a lift to work, came back tried again and it fired up no problem. This time earlier today once I came back from work it still wouldn't start, but after turning the key a few times it slowly turned over and started. It sorta sounded like the starter was coming unstuck when it was turning over. That leaves me here. I have my spring break this week so I am going to pull the starter and inspect the teeth and pray that that is the problem because its an easy replacement. What else should I look at? If you have any questions, ask away. Ill try my best to answer them. Still young and learning to work on cars so anything helps. Thanks.

 

First make sure that your battery is OK, then look at the starter, the ignition switch, etc.

 

I replaced the batter about a year ago so it should be good.

 

Not necessarily. Better test it or charge it before proceeding, it's easier than assuming and getting into more work than necessary. Your symptoms point to a worn ignition switch anyway but a battery check is what I'd start with.

 

all what lev has said and before pulling the starter definitely check the positive cable from the battery to the starter for loose connection
and/or corrosion at both ends as well as ground wires.

 

Okay, thanks for the info everybody. Just got my wisdom teeth out, so I'll get to checking and testing around in a few days.

 

I’ve gotten around to testing now. I’ve still been driving the car daily for the past week and it has only not started on me once. The issue I’m finding is that the starting problem is so intermittent it’s difficult to test things like the starter which requires me to turn the key in the ignition to start. Why is it more likely that the problem is the ignition switch? Can anybody tell me a way to test the starter without the engine turning over?

 

You can disconnect the coil wire. The engine will turn over but it won't start. But since your issue is quite intermittent you won't learn much by doing that. Intermittent problems are very difficult to fix to figure out. Some will change the starter, see what happens, go on to the next possibility if that doesn't work.

 

Maybe it won't be that helpful but just make sure all you connections are good, e.g. ground wires etc. I've done a lot of barnfind cars, generally that's the issue. The connection posts get corrosion and it intermittently won't start.

 

Can the wires through the hatch hinges that break be the intermittent electrical problem? Would they create the problem intermittent no cranking?

 

No! That won't have anything to do with starting. That can only cause problems with the tailgate wiring, wiper, lic. plate lights, etc.

 

I actually figured out the issue, sorta. I either have a bad neutral safety switch or a blown shifter linkage which isn't activating my neutral safety switch. If I push the shifter forward the car starts every time. To be honest im just going to live with it, to replace the switch and the bracket at the end of the linkage it's $100+ I'm better off saving my money lol.

 

sometimes just cleaning the neutral safety switch can get it working again...