99 v70XC Intermittent start problem

mvsnole · Post by **mvsnole** » 02 Jun 2010, 04:44

Hi All
New to the site, but I'm impressed with the depth of knowledge here. I am hoping you can help me with a starting and quitting problem I am having with my Cross Country. Randomly, the car will either be very difficult to start (just turns over) or it will start then immediately die. When it does start it runs great, and it will go days without acting up.

I took it to a repair shop and he replaced the cam position sensor and the battery. Everything was good for a couple of weeks but now the problem has returned. I bought a code reader (Innova 3100e) and it is giving me the p1332 (CVVT solenoid) and P0422 (Main catalyst efficiency below threshold, bank 1) codes.

I really appreciste any advice on where I can start looking. I have some mechanical ability, but only enough to be dangerous.

Here is the rest of the info on the vehicle:
VIN: YV1LZ56DXX2615254Year: 1999Manufacturer: VolvoMake: VolvoModel: V70Engine Type: L5, 2.4L; DOHC 20V; TurboTransmission: AutomaticTrim Level: XC Cross Mileage: 182920
=== Stored Error Code(s) ===Error Code: P1332Possible Causes: Error Code: P0422Possible Causes:
Freeze Frame Information:1. DTC for which Freeze Frame was Stored - P1332.2. Fuel System 1 Status - Closed Loop.3. Fuel System 2 Status - Not Supported.4. Calculated LOAD Value - 2.75 %.5. Engine Coolant Temp - 217.40 °F.6. Short Term Fuel Trim - Bank 1 - 0.00 %.7. Long Term Fuel Trim - Bank 1 - 12.50 %.8. Engine RPM - 960.00 Rpm.9. Vehicle Speed Sensor - 18.64 Mph. Monitor Information: 1. MIL - ON.2. Misfire Monitor - Complete.3. Fuel System Monitor - Complete.4. CCM Monitor - Complete.5. Catalyst Monitor - Complete.6. Heated Catalyst Monitor - Not Supported.7. EVAP Monitor - Complete.8. Secondary Air System Monitor - Not Supported.9. O2 Sensor Monitor - Complete.10. O2 Sensor Heater Monitor - Complete.11. EGR Monitor - Not Supported.12. NMHC Monitor - Not Supported.13. Nox Adsorber Monitor - Not Supported.14. Boost Pressure System Monitor - Not Supported.15. Exhaust Gas Sensor Monitor - Not Supported.16. PM Filter Monitor - Not Supported.

Post by **jblackburn** » 02 Jun 2010, 06:15

Your '99 has Variable Valve Timing, one of the other things introduced into the 99 models.

The CVVT solenoid will cause your timing to be off, and I suppose that being off could, too, cause your fuel/air mixture to be off.

Often times, the solenoid itself is fine and will not open because the oil passage to it becomes obstructed with gunk.

Here's how to access/replace it, though:
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=21162

Once you fix that, I would clear both codes and see if the catalyst one comes up again. Let us know if it comes back, and we can give you more things to check before assuming it's a bad catalytic converter.

Post by **jblackburn** » 02 Jun 2010, 06:19

However, reading your initial post, I think you may have more than one problem here - the CVVT will not cause that:

The starting and then shutting off immediately could be a bad antenna ring, or it could be something else entirely. Does it seem like the engine chokes a little bit before it stalls, or does it just start up and turn off immediately as if you were to turn the key off?

mvsnole · Post by **mvsnole** » 02 Jun 2010, 19:12

Thanks for the posts. It begins to die immediately after starting and takes about 3 seconds to completely cut off. It isn't like turning a switch though. I spoke to a Volvo repair shop today and he was saying that this can be a pretty tricky diagnosis. He seemed sincere, but obviously he would like me to bring it to him. I do not have an established relationship with a good local shop I can trust. That is one reason I want to give it a try myself...

MilehighV70XC · Post by **MilehighV70XC** » 02 Jun 2010, 21:08

I have been having the same problem and also have the code 422. Randomly the car takes a very long time to start (10-20 cranks). Occasionally the car will start then just die after a few seconds. I have noticed that the lower the fuel level in the tank, the hard start happens more often.
Does the amount of fuel in your tank make any difference. Do you hear a whine from the fuel pump. In my case Ii am pretty sure the fuel pump going bad. Also don't think it is the only problem. Hope you can figure it out. If you do please post the fix.

mvsnole · Post by **mvsnole** » 03 Jun 2010, 04:50

Thanks Mile High. It seems to be a fairly common problem, but trying to isolate the cause is the hard part.

mvsnole · Post by **mvsnole** » 04 Jun 2010, 04:48

Mile High
Sorry, I realized I did not answer your questions. I have not noticed that the fuel level makes any difference and I have not noticed a whine from the pump. I will look for those things going forward.

Post by **tboothe33** » 04 Jun 2010, 10:14

I don't want to over simplify this and I am in no way a mechanic... but I have the same car as you. I also HAD intermittant start problems, pretty much as you described. Knock on wood, for the last 12 months she has been starting perfectly. I gave it to my mechanic brother in law to drive for a week and he could not figure out the problem. We started keeping logs on what was happening when it would not start, like temperature outside, how long had it been sitting, etc. No pattern could be found.

Being a bit on the frugal side, we pretty much refuse to take it a Volvo "specialist" They just charge too much. This website has helped me with a ton of things and saved me hundreds of dollars - THANKS GUYS!

Anyway, the key to getting mine to start consistently is, believe it or not, the little button on the gear shift. It sticks more often than not. I make a conscious effort to "unstick" every time I stop the car. Also, sometimes the steering wheel will not "lock" when I park. If that happens, before I even try to start it, I made sure to jiggle the steering wheel until it locks.

Two very simple things, but it solved my problem (which was driving me crazy, I can't tell you how many times I was stranded at work because it would not start when it was time to go home).

Does you key ever get stick in the ignition? That is the button on the gear shift problem.

On a different note - how does your A/C work? Mine is a pain!!!

mvsnole · Post by **mvsnole** » 05 Jun 2010, 11:39

Tboothe
With the gear shift or steering wheel problem, did the engine turn over, or crank without starting? Mine will turn over but not start. Our ac is working well thank goodness.

Post by **tboothe33** » 07 Jun 2010, 09:20

It would turn over and then just not start. Sometimes I would think it would start, and it just would not. After about 10 - 20 minutes, it would start, but we never knew why. We too thought it was a ring issue, but once we started being conscious about the hear shirt and the steering wheel, it's been starting perfect.

Lucky on the AC, I'm jeaolous...