1998 V70 ignition key goes round and round - no start

Rolfyboy6 · Post by **Rolfyboy6** » 18 Nov 2009, 18:17

I have a 1998 Volvo V70 AWD without the "XC" designation. That may mean it's a V70r. It has 180,000 miles

I'm a first poster. I am in Honolulu, and have few tools and little money. Costs are high in Hawaii.

The ignition switch suddenly failed going round and round rather than making contact. It was a hot day and I'd been running the car a bunch. The instrument panel did not light up and there was no feeling of contact in the three switch positions.

There were indications that the battery was bad and so I bought and installed a new battery for the car after cleaning the battery connections.

After installing the battery the ignition switch momentarily operated as far as having three positions, the instrument panel lights coming on, and the radio coming on and similar interior electrical systems operation---but the starter didn't operate or even click.

At present, the ignition switch goes "round and round" without finding the three position detents, the instrument panel does not light, the headlights and running lights do not light up and, of course, there's no sign of starting. The inside lights do work manually (not the auto circuit), the outside air temp light is on until the key is turned, the radio theft system warning light flashes, and the "door open" chime does operate when the key is turned.

Have the Main and Starter relays gone bad?

I have other nightmares like failure of the computer system.

I'm looking for suggestions of where to start and how to repair this, and troubleshooting advice and method. I have spent a good part of two days reading this site and anything else I can find. I have downloaded the Volvo 850 service manual that this site provides and have looked through that for help.

I will appreciate any advice and tips. I recognize that this site is not a repair service. Thanks in advance.

Rolf

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 18 Nov 2009, 18:38

Welcome to MVS,

The ignition switch broke and on a S-V series it is a bit of a bear to replace it when compared to the 850 series.

Mom did a great writeup on fixing it and it is pinned here in the repair database.

I think this is the same as your '98 but my knowledge of S and V series cars is quite limited.

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... hp?t=13514

Mahalo,

...Lee

xb corp · Post by **xb corp** » 18 Nov 2009, 18:57

thanks Lee.

that is a great write up by mom.

Post by **FireFox31** » 18 Nov 2009, 19:32

This recently started happening to my 2000 V70, which may be a slightly different design. For me, the key spins freely only when the steering wheel lock is engaged AND the wheel is pressing against the lock. The short answer is, turn the steering wheel a little bit and then try the key again.

Better description of the failure condition:
1. Turn the car off.
2. Turn the steering wheel until the wheel lock engages, limiting the wheel's rotation to about 15 degrees.
3. Turn the wheel left or right until it hits the lock and hold it there.
4. Try to turn the key and it will spin.
5. Turn the wheel anywhere else but pressing against the lock.
6. Turn the key and it will engage.

Hopefully your problem is as simple as this. It may require replacing the ignition lock cylinder, but I have yet to research that. Good luck.

Rolfyboy6 · Post by **Rolfyboy6** » 18 Nov 2009, 20:47

Thanks for your help. I'm surprised that the failure of the mechanical portion of the ignition switch would create all the electrical havoc too.

I'll have to price the cost of the mechanical part and keys and such.

Thanks for the tips. I'll let you know how this comes out.

Rolf

Rolfyboy6 · Post by **Rolfyboy6** » 18 Nov 2009, 21:24

After further reading I'm leery of doing this job myself if it's like the illustrated write-up at the Volvo repair site linked to--but that's for a 1999 and later V70. So I'm wondering if my 1998 one will be like that or more like an 850?

Additionally I'm wondering about Mom's pictures that include how to inset a screw driver to start the engine when a key is in the lock. I don't quite get that and it could make the difference for me for a little while while I save up some money for the real repair. Can anyone give me some further pointers so I understand this a little better?

Thanks,

Rolf

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 19 Nov 2009, 12:42

I Looked it up in VADIS and, unfortunately, your '98 is just like the '99.

...Lee

Post by **confused_al** » 19 Nov 2009, 13:04

Here is the write-up for 99 from Bay 13,
http://volvospeed.com/Repair/ignition_S80.html

neworleans · Post by **neworleans** » 19 Nov 2009, 14:32

hello,

same thing happened on my 2000 s80. but after trying a few times it worked. then it happended again, i took out out the key and inserted again other side, be easy when you turn it and it should work.

Volvodan · Post by **Volvodan** » 23 Dec 2009, 19:34

Hi,

I found this forum searching for anyone who'd also had this happen. I have a 98 V70 w/94k miles. It was cold yesterday morning by LA standards and I tried to restart my car at about 7AM after driving half an hour. The key started spinning in the lock and AAA said they'd have to tow me to a dealer for a whole new lock and key. But when the tow guy showed up and tried it, at first it spun and then after a minute or so, the key worked and has worked since. It may well have been the wheel lock that made the difference. I'm not going to test the theory, but its good to know what to try if it happens again.

Thanks.

Dan