Discussion
Hello, I have a 2010 Volvo V50 Drive e 1.6d with around 60k. Driving home from work today I got a msg on the dash saying 'Power system service urgent' or similar.
The car drove fine for 10mins, then the power steering cut out, but otherwise it drove normally, then the power steering came back, then went again...and continued to do so for the drive home.
Now parked the car will not start. I can hear a fairly loud click when the ignition is turned but that is all. When the accelerator is depressed the click becomes less noticeable but again it does not start.
I googled the issue, seemed to suggest I need a new alternator, suggesting I have a flat battery.
However the battery is not flat, headlights work ok, power windows, remote locking all ok.
If you have an idea what the issue could be I would be very grateful for your reply.
Thank you
The car drove fine for 10mins, then the power steering cut out, but otherwise it drove normally, then the power steering came back, then went again...and continued to do so for the drive home.
Now parked the car will not start. I can hear a fairly loud click when the ignition is turned but that is all. When the accelerator is depressed the click becomes less noticeable but again it does not start.
I googled the issue, seemed to suggest I need a new alternator, suggesting I have a flat battery.
However the battery is not flat, headlights work ok, power windows, remote locking all ok.
If you have an idea what the issue could be I would be very grateful for your reply.
Thank you
I presume it's not turning the engine over on the starter motor at all?
Just because the lights etc come doesn't mean there's enough to turn the engine over.
Use a multimeter on the battery. What reading do you get?
Trying a jump start or connecting a good full charged battery by jump leads then seeing what happens when you try to start would be the first option.
If the vehicle starts use the multimeter again. Does the reading stay the same or has it now gone up? If it stays the same then it does point to a charging issue & I'd suggest getting it checked over by an auto electrician.
I'd also suggest checking the drive belt - if it's loose and/or slipping then that could be the charging problem.
If the power steering pump is electric then the low power is going to affect it.
Just because the lights etc come doesn't mean there's enough to turn the engine over.
Use a multimeter on the battery. What reading do you get?
Trying a jump start or connecting a good full charged battery by jump leads then seeing what happens when you try to start would be the first option.
If the vehicle starts use the multimeter again. Does the reading stay the same or has it now gone up? If it stays the same then it does point to a charging issue & I'd suggest getting it checked over by an auto electrician.
I'd also suggest checking the drive belt - if it's loose and/or slipping then that could be the charging problem.
If the power steering pump is electric then the low power is going to affect it.
Edited by paintman on Tuesday 22 March 21:32
I dont know the set-up of the accelerator but, if the vehicle has an accelerator cable and when you operate the accelerator pedal it is making a difference to the loudness of the starter solenoid clickking sound, there is a very good chance that there is a problem with the engine earth lead and the engine is using the accelerator cable as an earth source
If the above is the problem, stop attempting to start the vehicle as you could set it on fire due to the accelerator cable overheating, you may have already damaged the accelerator cable and other earth sources
Get the engine earth lead checked out
If the above is the problem, stop attempting to start the vehicle as you could set it on fire due to the accelerator cable overheating, you may have already damaged the accelerator cable and other earth sources
Get the engine earth lead checked out
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