I purchased a 2001 V70 with 185K miles on it and I am having trouble starting it at times. Sometimes it starts right up but others the engine just turns over but will not start. If I charge the battery or connect it to a charger it starts like new. I have replaced the battery with a higher CCA battery but this still happens at times, often after it sits overnight. Any direction you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

 

Does it seem like it's cranking just a bit slower than normal when you have a hard time starting it? If so, you may need a new/rebuilt starter motor.

If it cranks fine all the time then we'll need to look elsewhere...

 

It would appear to be cranking the same.

 

Hmmm... This doesn't correlate with your earlier comment in your first post:
Have you ckd the battery, charging system, for parasitic battery draw, battery voltage during cranking?

If all that's good then i would look at possible intermittent engine system failures; i.e. when it doesn't start, ck for spark; if that's good, ck fuel pressure, etc.

 

Hi mate..... If i was checking this problem i would suspect the starter motor, because the battery is only as good as the starter motor it turns.

Remove the starter and have it checked in regard to its windings and contacts, starter motors get a hard life!

 

I hadn't considered the starter motor and was leaning more towards the fuel pressure but at this point I am going to explore all possibilities. I will get a fuel pressure guage to see what it might show me but take the start in as well to give it a look, thanks.

 

Hi, i am new here, and this may be the answer to my problem, it's in the garage on Monday, so I will suggest that to my mate" good to have a mate who owns a repair shop"
Volvo want £160 just to run there diagnostics on it!! shall let you know how we get on.