Truck starting issue

Discussion in 'Volvo Forum' started by loudtom, Oct 25, 2018.

  1. Oct 25, 2018 #1
    loudtom

    loudtom Road Train Member

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    I've been having this intermittent problem of the starter not turning over when I turn the key in the ignition. I took it to the shop a while ago and mentioned it, and they said they checked everything and it's ok. Sometimes it starts on the first try, sometimes the second, and this time it was after try #20 or so.

    I plan on getting under there after this load and checking the connections and cables. Is there anything else I should be looking for? If I can't find the problem, can I run a cable with a switch directly from the battery for when the key doesn't work to manually activate the starter?
     
    loudtom, Oct 25, 2018
    loudtom, Oct 25, 2018
    #1
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  3. Oct 25, 2018 #2
    Benek

    Benek Light Load Member

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    Feb 10, 2016
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    Same problem, but not as bad (20times) changed starter selenoid, did not help,dealer want to change starter but I would start with key ignition first.for now I just wait until gets worse lol
     
    Benek, Oct 25, 2018
    Benek, Oct 25, 2018
    #2
  4. Oct 30, 2018 #3
    Trucker2211

    Trucker2211 Light Load Member

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    When my Volvo started doing same thing, it turned out to be the connections on the back of the battery cut-off switch right above the battery tray & batteries. The nuts that tightened down and held the main power cables in place actually disintegrated into little tiny pieces and the cables were only held on by the force of the bend in them coming over the frame rails. I guess the fasteners either rusted or maybe corroded completely away. I would definitely check that if your truck has a cut-off switch mounted in the battery area. Some other symptoms I had besides hard starter engagement was flickering/pulsing interior & dash lights (not very noticeable) and erratic voltage readings (up & down, 12.6 thru 14.4) coming from the charging system when engine was running.
     
    Trucker2211, Oct 30, 2018
    Trucker2211, Oct 30, 2018
    #3
  5. Oct 31, 2018 #4
    benrab

    benrab Medium Load Member

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    Master cut-off switch above the battery box is often the cause for this problem also for Volvo engine the starter relay bolted on the starter itself is often the cause too. A little tric to check if your master switch or cable contact are good or not, start and stop your engine 3 times between 10 seconds and then put your fingers on master switch post to feel the heat, with a new master switch the post comes warm, if they are hot (not able to touch) you have a contact problem or a master switch problem.
    Hopes this can help.
    Ben
     
    benrab, Oct 31, 2018
    benrab, Oct 31, 2018
    #4
    86scotty and Socal Xpress Thank this.
  7. Oct 31, 2018 #5
    Cattleman84

    Cattleman84 Road Train Member

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    My company had several volvos that did this, all the same model year... Cant remember what year they were though... They all got new battery disconnect switches and it solved the problem
     
    Cattleman84, Oct 31, 2018
    Cattleman84, Oct 31, 2018
    #5
  8. Nov 4, 2018 #6
    loudtom

    loudtom Road Train Member

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    I don't think mine has a switch on the battery. There's no flickering or other problems with the batteries. I checked voltage at the terminals on the solenoid. There's 12.xx volts at the input terminal with no voltage drop while the key is turned to start, and no voltage from the terminal output to the starter. I was going to get a solenoid for it, but it is a pain in the ### to replace just that part without taking the whole starter off. I bought a new starter instead, and it came with the solenoid and the relay on top. It's a 2012 and probably the original starter @860k miles, so it's probably for the better. The downside is that being a D16, it cost almost $600 and I had to run and get the part from 250 miles away or wait 3 days.
     
    loudtom, Nov 4, 2018
    loudtom, Nov 4, 2018
    #6
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