Starter Motor

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 12 other vehicles, including the 2014 Volvo XC90, 2013 Volvo XC90, 2012 Volvo XC90, 2011 Volvo XC90, and 2010 Volvo XC90. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Fig 1: Starter Motor

Courtesy of VOLVO CARS CORPORATION

The starter motor is on the left-hand side of the engine by the air cleaner (ACL) housing. The starter motor is powered directly from the battery. There is a solenoid on the starter motor to close the circuit. The central electronic module (CEM) activates a relay in the relay box in the engine compartment to act on the solenoid. This supplies the solenoid with power and closes the circuit for the starter motor.

The starter motor turns when the key is turned to position III in the ignition switch.

There are different functions which prevent starting, depending on whether the car has an automatic or manual transmission. The central electronic module (CEM) also has an electronic immobilizer function which communicates with a transponder in the key.

Cars with manual gearboxes have a sensor in the clutch pedal. The clutch pedal must be depressed to allow starting (certain markets)
In cars with type 4T65EV automatic transmissions, a signal is transmitted from the gear-shift position sensor to the transmission control module (TCM) which then sends a directly connected signal to the central electronic module (CEM)
In cars with AW automatic transmissions, a directly connected signal is transmitted directly from the gear-shift position sensor to the central electronic module (CEM).

There are diagnostics for the relay for the starter motor.