Volvo 480 Club Europe

Good morning to all from Switzerland!
I have just parked my 480 and it won't start again.
Symptoms (starting with the colder nights, whether by coincidence or not):
- Since a few days, sometimes the starter would just click, then after a few tries it would start the engine
- Sometimes in the morning the starter would be slower, less powerful
- This morning, I parked the car, ventilator was cooling the engine, it audibly slowed down when I switched off the engine (not as usual), so I decided to start the engine again to "help". That killed all electricity in the whole car: no engine, no starter (not even clicking), no central locking, no illuminated keyhole when pulling the door handle.
- I came back 30 minutes later or so, and noticed that the interior light switched on. Also, turning the key a bit, other lights went on. I tried to start and... again all power totally lost.

Is this the battery? If yes, do you have any tips for replacement?
I have a 1990 1.7 ES, I figure I should buy a 60 Ah?

Many thanks for your advice!

This sounds like a dead battery to me. As Volvo has been using the same battery for all their cars since the 1970s, every car parts shop or even the Volvo main dealer should be able to supply one. I have got a 60 Ah Varta D59 in my car presently because I could get a very good deal online, they're quite cheap in Switzerland as well: https://swissbatt24.ch/starterbatterien ... terie-60ah

Done - I have just ordered the battery you have suggested. It is almost too easy... How nice to get help like this.
Thank you Brinkie!

One thing to consider..... As the winter approaches, we use more electric (headlamps, blowers, heated rear window etc).

Of course a modern alternator is designed to cope with all of this, but I'd encourage you to have a read of this post once you've got your new battery fitted.

jifflemon wrote: ↑

Thu Nov 19, 2020 12:34 pm

One thing to consider..... As the winter approaches, we use more electric (headlamps, blowers, heated rear window etc).

Of course a modern alternator is designed to cope with all of this, but I'd encourage you to have a read of this post once you've got your new battery fitted.

Yes, thank you, hoping to be a good forum citizen I had already searched a bit before posting my question and found that one which indeed seems very relevant.

It is worth checking the earth strap underneath the battery tray too, as this sometimes furs up and can cause batteries to discharge faster than normal (in my experience.

NillerGT wrote: ↑

Thu Nov 19, 2020 12:25 pm

Done - I have just ordered the battery you have suggested. It is almost too easy... How nice to get help like this.
Thank you Brinkie!

Bummer... I thought it was the correct one, but it turns out you need a Varta D24 instead of the D59.
However, the price, capacity, cold cranking amps, footprint and terminals are identical, only the D24 is 15 mm higher and a bit heavier.

Varta D24:



Varta D59:



I don't think it will be a problem when the battery sits 15 mm lower than original because the power cables come from below anyway, but when ordering, you should go for a Varta D24 (or similar) instead of a D59.

brinkie wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 20, 2020 11:43 am

NillerGT wrote: ↑

Thu Nov 19, 2020 12:25 pm

Done - I have just ordered the battery you have suggested. It is almost too easy... How nice to get help like this.
Thank you Brinkie!

Bummer... I thought it was the correct one, but it turns out you need a Varta D24 instead of the D59.
However, the price, capacity, cold cranking amps, footprint and terminals are identical, only the D24 is 15 mm higher and a bit heavier.

...

I don't think it will be a problem when the battery sits 15 mm lower than original because the power cables come from below anyway, but when ordering, you should go for a Varta D24 (or similar) instead of a D59.

Hi Brinkie,

The battery is sitting in the engine bay, halfway through the work. We will see what changes with a lower battery - I expect the roadholding to improve

So, no need to worry Brinkie, apparently no problem at all with the lower format, and the starter is at least 50% faster. Let’s see if that avoids the blackouts I have been experiencing.

While dismounting the old battery I had the impression it was fitted a bit loosely and that perhaps that could have explained the 1500 RPM transient vibrations. No such luck, unfortunately 🧐

So yes, it must indeed have been the battery. The starter never clicks anymore, and as a bonus, it also seems that my dirt-cheap car radio is now much less impacted by electromagnetic noises from the engine. Interesting.
Thanks to all and have a nice Sunday evening.

NillerGT wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 06, 2020 5:56 pm

So yes, it must indeed have been the battery. The starter never clicks anymore, and as a bonus, it also seems that my dirt-cheap car radio is now much less impacted by electromagnetic noises from the engine. Interesting.
Thanks to all and have a nice Sunday evening.

Glad to hear you sorted it!

All the best

David