I have an 06 XC90 that will not crank/start. Never had a starting issue before, ran fine Thursday, sat overnight and my wife went to take our son to daycare Friday morning and it was completely dead. Won't crank at all, just clicks once and then nothing. Found I had the original battery from the factory, so I charged it up on a trickle charger, tried to start it again and nothing. Got it tested at O'Reilleys, battery checked out to be toast, guy said there was barely any output from it. Swapped out the battery with a new one and it still won't crank. Any ideas? Starter was changed by previous owner ~25K and 2.5 years ago, and the ignition was changed sometime too, both done at a dealership. Seems really quick for a starter to go bad. Really just need to get it started once so I can get it to a shop, I don't want to have it towed somewhere but it's looking like I might just have to. Any help would be appreciated!

 

Never mind, just got it started by tapping the starter with a hammer while my wife cranked it. What are the chances that this is just a fluke of positioning, and not a sign that I need a new starter ASAP? Started up 5 times after I got it going like it never happened.

 

I would replace it. The "positioning" scenario you envision is unlikely and the more likely explanation is the solenoid stuck which will only get worse. I don't know if your wife is like mine, but leaving her set twice in a short period of time equals loss of confidence in the vehicle and results in purchasing a different car. I like to be proactive in matters such as these.

 

i agree it's probably a failing starter. you're right that a starter should last more than 2.5 years but there are some really cheap remans available that are not built to last.

 

Thanks for the replies! I drove it to work and around after work and it's started fine. I think I am just going to go with it for now. Really don't want to have to sink a bunch of money into it, as it's coming up due on a timing belt and will probably have to replace some suspension components at the same time. Honestly the car had been kind of a headache and I would love to sell it, but I have only had it for 8 months which I think turns a lot of buyers away. Planning on keeping it through the winter and then unloading it so hopefully the starter will last until then.

 

Also should note this is not a cheap reman starter, it was OEM installed at the dealership

 

word of warning on tapping a starter... you can only tap a starter so many times before it won't engage. (I know that happened to me...) Why risk that? I know you want to save a buck but that might catch up on you...

 

It's been a couple weeks now, haven't had to tap it to start it since that first and only time and it's been starting instantly when I crank it so I think it will be fine.

 

LOL!

"Honey, the car didn't start twice, grab the checkbook."