Hi. I'm trying to help out a single mom down on her luck only car is the s60t won't start ,tried a jumper box on it just a clicking sound looked very low in the cells of original Volvo battery , should I replace the battery and if so is there a specific battery for this car ? Or is that not even the problem?

 

Not sure what you mean by "looked very low in the cells". Do you mean the water level?

Sometimes a bad cell in a battery makes it so weak that even jumping it won't start it. Are there any other signs that the battery is weak? Dim interior lights, radio won't turn on, etc.? Just trying to isolate battery instead of a bad starter that is drawing too much juice or some other problem. If there are other signs that it is for sure the battery then yes I would start there. If you take the battery out and go to the nearest parts store or Walmart they can test it and verify that it is bad. Personally I prefer Walmart for batteries simply because no matter where you go there is a Walmart, while parts stores can be somewhat regional. JMO

 

Yes. Sorry that's what I meant very low water in cells of battery also I read about something in the gear shifter because she did say it was making a weird sound when she was trying to start it, is there a specific battery that goes in these cars? I was gonna replace battery and try starting after moving gear shifter up and down then possibly hitting the starter motor , your thoughts?

 

Just pull the battery and get it tested. Sounds like it is the mot likely issue.

 

Pulled the battery to have it tested they are charging it now , it was only showing 10 volts I think he said he's gonna test again after it charges

 

So if it tests ok after it has been charged (highly doubt it) then you are looking at either a charging problem or a draw problem. Or it might just be a bad alternator (shorted diode) that is causing the draw. If you check and don't find a draw, but the alternator is not putting out enough volts (the driver info center should indicate a charging issue) then the most likely problem is the alternator voltage regulator. The best part of that would be that this alternator has an external voltage regulator that can be changed without removing the alternator. It takes a bit of patience, but there is a video on youtube to help you know exactly what bolts and screws are involved. Ask me how I know It can be had from IPD for $64, a heck of a lot cheaper than a complete alternator. Good luck!

 

Believe or not fully charging the battery it started right up but I suspect it will happen again since after what I read and what she said about the weird sound by gear shifter , think that sensor was acting up causing her to continuously trying to start it in turn killing the battery, thanks for all your help

 

Did she say she had tried for a long time to start it where it would crank, but not start? If so the idea of a shift interlock issue is plausible, but if not I would look in the direction of a charging or draw issue.