I'm new to the Volvo world. I have a 2001 Volvo s60. Just the other day I went to start the car and it fired right up. Pulled into a gas station. Got back in and when I turned the key all I got was a loud wining of the starter spinning alone without any noise from the engine and no evidence of it cranking at all. After a few more attempts I heard the starter engage fully and the engine fired right up without a problem. Problem is its happening frequently now. I have no problem replacing the starter but my question is, will that fix it? Or is a deeper electrical problem causing this to happen? Thanks in advance for any help

 

Replacing the starter will very likely fix the problem.

 

It sounds to me like the starter drive is defective. It has a one way bearing that is not catching when you engage the starter. You can replace the starter and this should correct the problem, or a cheaper way would be to purchase a new starter drive and install it in your starter. This is the gear assembly that engages the flywheel. It is pretty easy to change.