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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    New York
    Posts
    2

    Default Intermittent starting problem - 2000 V70XC

    For about eight months, I've had an intermittent and random starting problem with my 2000 V70XC (88,000 miles) that my independent mechanic typically isn't able to duplicate, even after the car has been towed to his shop on a flatbed truck.

    With the key turned to the right in the ignition, the car engine doesn't crank or "turn over," and doesn't make any of the usual sounds of the engine starting up. Usually, if we simply let the car sit for a number of hours, or overnight, it will start up again without any problem. At other times, we have had to have the car towed in to the shop.

    We replaced the original, eight-year old battery a few weeks ago, as it seemed to be a bit week, but the problem persists. All of the electricals (headlights, radio, window switches, etc.) seem to come on strongly when the ignition key is turned, but the engine simply doesn't start up. There is no pattern we can see, as it happens from both cold and warm starts, after sitting all night, after driving and stopping for an errand, in rainy weather and in dry weather.

    This has happened about a dozen times in the past few months. On one (and only one) occasion recently, the "Check Engine" light came on.

    The mechanic thinks it's probably either (a) the starter, (b) the immobilizer ring, or (c) the neutral safety switch, but without being able to duplicate the problem consistently, he isn't able to diagnose it accurately. He has had the problem a couple of times when the car has been towed in, but by the time he gets it up on his lift to explore it further, the problem is gone.

    The car has always been garaged, original owner, meticulously serviced. I have an excellent extended warranty (has always paid for every repair needed) that will expire in about three weeks, and I'm anxious to get this one fixed while the car is still under this warranty.

    Thanks in advance for any helpful thoughts.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Location
    Devon PA
    Posts
    11,409

    Default

    You MUST have the internal stored codes read on a VOLVO scanner,
    ie: your Volvo dealer

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    New York
    Posts
    2

    Default Intermittent starting problem - 2000 V70XC

    Brought the car in to dealer as suggested. Only internal code read by computer is related to catalytic converter ("Check engine" light came on while driving to dealer for appointment). Dealer reports that no codes having to do with ignition system are reported by the computer.

    Entire ignition system checked out by dealer, who reports that everything is up to factory specifications.

    Dealer could not reproduce problem, which has been random and intermittent, including having car towed three times on a flatbed truck to independent mechanic, following which car started up fine.

    Dealer's conclusion is simply "if it's a problem it will get worse and then we'll be able to diagnose it and fix it." This isn't a good response, since we have had more than half a dozen experiences of the car simply not starting with the key turned in the ignition.

    Any other ideas about how to proceed?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Location
    Devon PA
    Posts
    11,409

    Default

    Bad antenna ring or immobilizer issue

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    NC
    Posts
    142

    Default

    Does the starter solenoid click when it won't start? Do the dash lights dim when the key is turned to the start position? Either of those would indicate a bad starter to me.

    When it is in its no-start mood will the starter engage if you ground it directly with a screwdiver? If so the starter is fine and the problem is somewhere upstream.

    Check the vehicle ground (contact and cable). That's probably not it but it's so simple to do it's good to eliminate as a cause.

    Do you have more than one ignition key on your key ring? They can sometimes interfere with each other's signals and cause the immobilizer to activate.

    Eight years!? That was one darned good battery!
    Last edited by instarx; 08-22-2008 at 09:32 AM.
    2000 V70 XC SE
    165,000 miles and runs great.
    Total repair costs over last 65 months: $720 (about 1.5 car payments);
    Best single tank mileage ever: 32.8; Average mileage: 22.2; City: 18

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Philadelphia, PA
    Posts
    9

    Default

    I encountered this same problem for the first time this weekend on my 2000 V70XC. I drove the car to Home Depot yesterday, ran in to pick up a couple of things, and when I tried to start the car to leave, it just would not crank. All the dash lights came on and I could hear the fuel pump cycle up. Windows rolled up and down with no problem, but the starter just wouldn't engage. It was like I was trying to start the car while it was in gear.

    I did a bunch of research online and started to suspect the immobilizer system. Unfortunately, I only have one key for this car, so I can't try to start it with another one. I even did the little trick where you're supposed be able to reset the immobilizer system by locking and unlocking the doors 5 times with the key. No luck. Today, I went back to the car and tried starting it a bunch of times until finally, out of the blue, it worked fine. I drove it home and parked it. Haven't tried to start it again.

    Through all of the reading I've done, I suspect this is going to be one of those problems I just have to live with unless I want to start throwing tons of money at things which may or may not be causing the issue. I've heard low battery voltage, corroded wiring, bad starter, bad solenoid. And if it turns out to be the immobilizer system, that's going to require dealer service right? And it seems really annoying that there's no way for them to test it unless it's not working especially if the problem only occurs intermittently and rarely.

    It just sucks that I can't drive this car anywhere without the possibility of winding up stranded at random and for an indeterminate amount of time.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Philadelphia, PA
    Posts
    9

    Default

    I wanted to post an update of what I found out after I spoke to my mechanic. I think there is some bad information in my previous post.

    What my mechanic told me:
    A bad immobilizer or antenna ring will allow the car to crank, but just not start. Or it will start briefly and then die.

    My problem is more symptomatic of a bad starter motor. He said that over time, the brushes start to wear out and that if the rotor of the starter comes to rest in a certain position, there isn't enough electrical contact for it to turn again. My next question was why did it eventually start again? He said that if the problem is just starting to develop, the tolerances for this condition to occur would be really small, so changes in temperature or other factors could nudge the rotor just enough to allow it to turn again.

    I've started the car 3 times since the no-start condition without any problems. I guess I'll have him replace the starter motor.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    northeast US
    Posts
    26

    Default

    did you try replacing the ignition switch....$24 item on line for a genuine volvo replacement...takes ~1hr to replace.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Kansas City, KS
    Posts
    1

    Default Random Starting Issue

    We have a 2003 Volvo XC70 Cross Country that randomly doesn't start. After letting it sit for a day or so we would try again and somehow it would start again. We finally found that there is a wire that is part of (or right next to) the starter. It has a white plastic clip on the end that slides onto a piece of flat metal. It can slip off very easily but usually just wiggles loose so that you get the intermittent problem. Every time our Volvo won't start I go straight for the wire, push it back on, and the car starts again. We aren't 100% sure, but we think it may be the ground wire for the starter. Hope this helps!

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    philly
    Posts
    1

    Default Thank you!!!!

    Volvogal! THANK YOU!!!

    Been frustrated with this issue, for a long time and no help from Volvo service, other than put in a new starter and it still does it. Til I read your post this morning, after my car didn't start and I missed an Doctors appointment. My husband and I both ran to the car and did what you said here and it started!!! Thank you for posting this to others to see and to learn.

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