Random Starter Issue!!

[2 Coupes]

Was wondering if you guys could help me. I own a 1994 Volvo 850 NA for snow days and back and forth to school. For a while now I have been hearing a loud whining noise from just under the intake manifold. So two days ago my starter went. Today I replaced the starter and the car starts right up. Yeah!!. As I wait around with the car running to watch for any negative signs (also to make sure I hooked the radiator fan back up correctly, damn those hoses). My girlfriend is in the car with me still watching under the hood, the loud whining noise comes back pretty bad almost louder than before with the old starter. I yelled to my girlfriend “shut it off” and she did. Now the effer wont start! Does anyone have any guesses as to what the hell is going on? I read on the Volvo forums that the starter might be getting too much power continuously, what do you think? Thanks guys.

[G_whizz]

Alternator, Power Steering pump, Inake Manifold or does it have a timing chain or belt (not sure on that one)?

Someone else will chime in shortly!

[telcoman]

Was wondering if you guys could help me. I own a 1994 Volvo 850 NA for snow days and back and forth to school. For a while now I have been hearing a loud whining noise from just under the intake manifold. So two days ago my starter went. Today I replaced the starter and the car starts right up. Yeah!!. As I wait around with the car running to watch for any negative signs (also to make sure I hooked the radiator fan back up correctly, damn those hoses). My girlfriend is in the car with me still watching under the hood, the loud whining noise comes back pretty bad almost louder than before with the old starter. I yelled to my girlfriend “shut it off” and she did. Now the effer wont start! Does anyone have any guesses as to what the hell is going on? I read on the Volvo forums that the starter might be getting too much power continuously, what do you think? Thanks guys.

2 coupes

Welcome to NICO

When the ignition switch is in the start position, a starter selanoid relay operates and pushes a pinion gear forward on the starter shaft to engage the teeth on the flywheel to crank the engine. As soon as the engine starts and the ignition switch is in the run position, voltage is removed from the starter selanoid, the pinion gear retracts back to its normal position. If it does not disengage that is the wining noise you are probably hearing?It is also possible to have a broken or missing tooth on the flywheel? Not good!My advise is as follows:You didn't mention where you purchased the starter but perhaps you got someone else's rebuilt starter? Take it back and exchange it. Be nice but firm I hope you used a credit card for the purchase? Hopefully one that doubles a warranty on anything you purchase?I have found that when it comes to alternators and starters you are much better off getting your original rebuilt by a shop that only deals with starters, alternators and perhaps other electric motors. If the armature and field windings are still good which they usually are, they only need to clean it, install new bearings and perhaps new diodes. They will then bench test it & reinstall it in your car. Not only is this usually cheaper but much less of a hassal.

They also know which vehicles have crappy alternators and starters and how long they generally last. When my daughter was starting college and taking my 1988 Mazda 929 5 speed to school, I stopped by my local starter rebuilding shop and since the Mazda then had over 100k miles, I inquired if the alternator should be rebuilt? The owner replied that if I had an American car yes! "Not necessary for the Mazda he replied." Of course that was prior to Ford ruining Mazda. The alternator did eventually get rebuilt at 198k miles. BTW I used regular 87 octane & changed oil every 3k miles on that vehicle also. I got rid of it around 225k miles. It still had the original transmission and differential fluid. Great car!

Sorry for the

Good luck

Telcoman
Modified by telcoman at 5:04 PM 4/26/2008