I took my son to a ball game and my volvo 850 wouldnt start. i had a friend replace the starter, alternator and battery. We even checked the fuses and it still wont crank. Cant afford to take it to a shop. I am a single mom with kids and STUCK. what else could be wrong?

 

Some of the common causes are:

- Faulty ignition switch (the electrical portion)
- Faulty PNP switch
- Malfunctioning immobiliser
- Etc...

The 850s have some common issues and replacing components blindly would cost you a fortune. I would like to know what kind of starter, alternator and batteries have been installed. Volvos do not like to be treated with non OEM parts. OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts are the same parts used at Volvo dealers, and were the ones installed at the manufacturing plant. In general, OEM parts are your best bet regardless of the make of your car. They cost 20-30% more than generic parts, but the additional costs are well worth it.

If you cannot afford to have a shop service your 850, the best thing to do is to buy OEM parts from on-line vendors and have your family/relative/friend/colleague replace them.

Two vendors some of us here use often:

FCP Groton, CT: http://www.fcpgroton.com/
eEuroparts: http://www.eeuroparts.com/Main/Home.aspx

PNP switch:
http://www.fcpgroton.com/product-exe...ategory_id/210

Ignition switch (used 1994 Turbo as an example):
http://www.fcpgroton.com/category-ex...37/by_year/44/

Please specify the model year and trim level (turbo or non-turbo) of your 850. Also, wait until other experts kick in.

If you really cannot afford to pay for a shop, I would buy a Haynes repair manual (approx $17), some basic tools at Sears Craftsman and start learning to work on your car. I know this is not for everyone but you can save significant amount of $$$ this way, as well as being able to gain confidence. However, if you have never worked on a car before, I would do the homework and learn the safety precautions first to avoid injury.

I hope this gets you started. I personally feel that the problem is the PNP switch, but wait for others’ replies as well, especially the ones from Moderator Tech; our top dog.


JPN

 

don't count out the cam position sensor (common problem on the 850's and would explain the sudden malfunction) the same kind of thing happend to me and after months of tinkering with it and exploring everything i could think of it turned out to be that.

thats my first bet, but also explore the coil, distributer cap, coil wires

good luck

 

If you have gone through all that...then you obviously know something! Get the codes pulled, autozone does it free or you can rent a tool and they will give u the money back when you bring the tester back. Or if it is older just pull the codes yourself. Start from there.But a NO CRANK after you have gone through all that indicates to me and open circuit...so figure out which wire is broke...that is the best route...do your lights, horn or anything else? did you by chance check for 12V at the starter? are your battery cables broke or so corroded? This sounds like a routine issue that will cripple any car...do don't fret...you will get it...it is just a machine!

 

The engine is not cranking.


JPN

[IMG]local://upfiles/6892/D7E5AC60315D40F68A87CF170D13C0E5.jpg[/IMG]

 

When you say it won't crank, do you mean the starter does absolutley nothing when you turn the key, or can you hear the starter turning/trying to turn?

 

hi.mine got same problem.can't start. and when i check pnp switch is the prob.Can i by pass this pnp to start the engine.if can how to bypass?

 

You can just jump the soleniod and it should start.