I was driving my vehicle and stop at a local store to shop. I returned to my car and it will not start the lights come on but the car wont turn over its like the starter is disconnected. Oh the flashers flash for some reason for a minute or so then stop? Any help would be appreciated. If i cant fix it I am gonna have to tow it to a mechanic.

 

Sorry about the problem.

Please specify the car's mileage, model year & trim level (turbo or NA) so we can steer you into the right direction.

I'd like to blame the alternator. If it turns out the alternator is shot, I would go with a rebuilt Bosch unit w/lifetime warranty. How old is the battery, and what brand is it? If older than 4 years, I would replace it with an Interstate Battery. I wouldn't buy a franchise brand's battery.

http://www.fcpgroton.com/volvo850eng_electrical.htm
http://www.eeuroparts.com/searchresu...6&cat=1010

The best thing to do is to have it serviced by an independent shop that specialises in Swedish/Euro makes and have a certified ASE Master Technician work on it. And it would be even better if the shop is willing to accept parts from customers, because this way you know they'll use OEM parts and saves a bit too.

Update us if you would.


JPN

 

It is a 94 850 non turbo, the battery is new and shows 12.9 volts on meter,car has 150,000 miles. I dont believe it is the alternator it was running fine I parked went in the store and when I came out it wouldnt start ? Like I said I turn the key all the dash lights come on including the flashers but does nothing in regards to the motor turning no indication at all in the engine compartment no clicking dragging just nothing. When I turn the car off the flashers continue to flash for a minute the they stop. I am leaning towards the ingnition switch but not sure.

 

If the flashers flash when you try to start the car then the immoblizer is kicking in for some reason.

Lock and unlock the car and try again.

If not then run a temp. ground wire from the engine to battery and see if it helps.

 

It actually did happen to me once in Chicago. I went to a local place to pay my bill, came out and the 850 failed to start. I wiggled the battery wire and it did start but at night on the same day I was stranded and could not move the car myself because it was too heavy.

But in your case, follow Tech's advice. With the flasher on without the flasher switch turned on, it has to do with the immobiliser. Tech's advice is priceless.


JPN

 

I would bet on a loose connection, most likely battery cable. Did you try to jump the car to see if it would start? I do agree with Tech, the immobilizer is kicking in for some reason....

 

mine kinda did the same thing when my alternator went out, all of the dash lights would flicker when attemping to start it and after replacing the battery it all pointed to the alternator. so i picked up a rebuilt one for about 200$ and it has been fine ever since

my money would be on the alternator, good luck

 

btw.. you can get autozone to test your alternator for free while it is still in the car

my 850 has over 150,000 miles. alternator is what i'm thinking

 

I bought my daughter a 95'-850 turbo it has 108,000 miles on it, and occasionally it will not start right after you turn it off. If you wait less than a minute, it will start right up. It acts like there is some sort of lockout. I finally was able to get it to do it with me today, and I found that it was two quarts low on oil. After I filled it back up with oil, it hasn't done again yet. Is there a low oil level lockout switch on this vehicle? I'm figuring that the oil is draing back down to the oil pan, and resetting the switch allowing it to crank then. This is one tough car my Daughter lets it runlow onoil about every two months, which her boyfriend is supposedly checking the oil and saying its Ok. She's buying the next one!

 

No there is no switch thats locks it out.

 

NEVER allow the engine oil to get low; the engine can getfried in a matter of seconds if oil gets low enough. Even though these engines can last as long as Japanese engines do, they are EXTREMELY sensitive to correct quantity & quality of oil (full synthetic 10W-30 for turbo, or regular/synthetic blend10W-30 (5W-30 if specified by the owner's manual)for non-turbo).

Eric's alternator is probably ok, as it's charging the battery. If the alternator is shot, it stops charging the battery and the car would die by draining out the battery but Eric's battery's reading full, so the problem is most likely in the immobiliser as noted by Tech.


JPN

 

DUH! you can't tell teenagers nothing! Every time I have driven it I had to add 2 to 4 quarts! She swears her boyfreind just checked it and said it was good. I have even showed her how to check it, but it keeps chugging on after two years! I told her if she blows the motor or turbo it's her problem and the boyfriend will be walking! Apparently it's loosing oil through leaking, as I just changed the plugs and they were clean as a whistle. Lot of oil under the cover though, cranked and tried to see where it was coming from, but I will have to pressure wash it.

 

Yes clean it good maybe stay away from the pressure washer though unless you want it to sit for a day or 2 before it runs again.

Then inspect Cam Seals,Trubo return line,Rear main seal,Oil cap seal and Vent system.

 

If it's cranking over, has spark and fuel pressure, it could be a bad ignition switch,( the electrical part not the tumblers). If it smokes a lot after not starting and it's been sitting a while you could have leaky injectors. Too many things it could be to keep guessing. No check engine light or codes?

Could be just about anything, but first check to insure the battery is working so remove and have tested for free at any auto parts shop like auto zone or Kragen etc. If OK, an all connections are good an clean including the ground cable, then are you getting fuel pressure? when was fuel filter last changed? Or engine tuned up? Is there spark to the plugs? You need fuel, spark and compression to run. If all the simple checks fail then you need a good mechanic.

 

Well thanx to you guys I got my problem fixed it was the immobilizer. I went and locked and unlocked the car and it started right up thanx to all. Sorry it took me soo long to respond ZI have been out of state.

 

Yay!


JPN

 

The alternator warning lamp lights up when the alternator is not charging sufficiently.


I've never seen mentioned on any 850 forum the fact that, if the alternator warning light comes on while the engine is running, a whole heap of other warning lamps such as the low fuel, service, bulb failure, SRS, brake circuit failure, parking brake on, low engine coolant level and low washer reservoir will also light up.

That's what probably happened in your case.