[align=left]Hello, I have a 850 wagon that has decided to just not start. It had sat with no driving for about 1 month and when we tried nothing not even the interior light would come on.
So we replaced the battery and now it makes a noise like it is trying to start but still not up and running. Any suggestions on what it may be would be greatly appreciated! Alternator maybe??
Thanks!
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based on your post i'd say you have two problems. first, is that you have short/battery drain issue, could have just been an old battery.

secondly, the "makes a noise like it's trying to start" problem. that's rather non specific. it is a clicking noise, or a grinding noise like gear teeth bashing one another?

 

[align=left]OK it made no noise until we replaced the battery and now it sounds like errrr, errrrr,errrr. If that helps in the way of sound. It sounds like it is turning over or trying to but no starting...what do you think??
Thanks for replying!
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Could be many things you need to check for spark,Fuel, and injector pulse.

 

so should I rule out the alternator?? How do I check for the spark pulse?

 

Try this first.
With the key off push the gas pedal all the way to the floor and hold it.
Then turn the key on and crank the car over. Hold it on for about 1 to 1.5 minutes unless it starts.
You might have collapsed lifters from it sitting.
Sometimes it might take up to 2 minutes of cranking for it to start. Don't let the gas pedal up till is starts.

But don't crank past 2 minutes. If it doesn't start then I will tell you how to test for spark.

 

This may or may not get your car started - but if all else fails there's no harm in trying it - it worked for me.

1. Ensure the battery of your vehicle is fully charged (it may even pay to have another battery there to connect onto it to assist with the cranking).
2. Push the accelerator pedal flat to the floor and keep it there (and until the car starts - don't even think of lifting it up even the teeny weeniest bit).
3. Turn ignition to the start position to crank engine and hold there until car starts.

The engine will most likely crank without attempting to fire for what seems a considerable, and very unnerving period of time. The first time I attempted to do this I cranked the engine over for about 45 seconds until I chickened out - thinking about damage to started motor etc.

The next time I did it I watched the sweep hand of my wristwatch, and this is what actually happened.

Prior to: Take a deep breath, convince yourself it is going to work and be very sure within yourself you are capable of keeping it cranking over until she fires up - best of luck!

0-35 secs. accelerator flat to floor, ignition on, engine cranking - no suggestion of engine attempting to fire.
45-50 secs. engine attempts to fire for a short period of time but soon went back to cranking only (this is where you must stick with it)
50-80 secs. engine cranking over only - no sign of attempting to fire.
approx. 80 secs. engine fires, runs rough for 3-4 seconds then smoothes out and idles sweetly.

Apparently mine was one of the quicker ones to fire up. I've read of guys who've cranked their engine over for 3/4 minutes before it fired.

What causes this to happen?

I believe what causes this difficulty is, in some circumstances, engine oil can get under the hydraulic lifters not allowing the lifters to close properly which causes an artificial 'no compression' type situation where the engine wont fire until the lifters settle back into position allowing all the valves to fully close.

Some of the mechanics on this forum have probably come across this situation in their work.

Good luck!

 

Judging from "errrr", I am wondering if the starter pinion is not meshing with the ring gear on the flywheel due to faulty solenoid in the starter?


JPN

 

pushing the gas won't flood it?

 

The holding down the gas trick worked!! You are awesome ! It was smoking pretty bad from the tail pipe...sort of gray...any thoughts?
Thanks again!

 

I drove it to the gas station to put gas in and air in tires but I had to use the accelerator trick to get it started again. Is this hurting the engine beyond repair and if not how do I figure out where the oil is leaking in causing the starting problem..? Thanks for taking the time to answer my question!!

 

it just needs to be driven.

 

Yep! Dead right.

Now take her out and give her a thorough 'Italian tune-up'.

 

The holding the gas to the floor trick won't flood it.
Because you pushed it all the way to the floor before turning the car in the computer stopped the gas flow to the motor till you let up on the gas pedal.

Yes take it out for a good drive.