S70 turns over-then engine dies

travel777 · Post by **travel777** » 05 Aug 2003, 19:54

Does anyone else have a problem with an S70 AWD that every now and then refuses to start? The engine turns over, catches, then dies. Sometimes the car has to be towed to the dealer, sometimes we get lucky, let it sit for 10-15 min. and it starts. This happened in mid-July, before that in June. Could it be the fuel line? Gas not getting into the throttle box? Electrical? Any suggestions? Thanks!

StarmanDXE · Post by **StarmanDXE** » 05 Aug 2003, 20:31

That is what was happening with my 1993 850. Then, it just wouldn't start.
Apparently the (original) battery had died.
Is that a possibility with your car?

StarmanDXE · Post by **StarmanDXE** » 06 Aug 2003, 09:10

Well, that's atleast what I thought the problem was. It was working fine for the last week or so. But, I got in today and it wouldn't turn over at all.

travel777 · Post by **travel777** » 06 Aug 2003, 19:24

It isn't the battery. If I wait approx. 10-15 minutes, the car starts 50% of the time. (towed 2 times, started 2 times). Both times it started I drove to the dealer - they couldn't find the problem. Ideas put forth were fuel not getting into the throttle box, fuel line problem. I suggested it might be electrical - someone in Australia posted that there was fluctuation in the electricity when air conditioning was on. Grasping at straws!
Appreciate any ideas anyone has!
Travel 777

Pete · Post by **Pete** » 07 Aug 2003, 03:32

if the starter grabs then disengages and the engine hasn't had enough turning over to get it going it could be the pinion in the starter motor?

Ronnie_B (rbn_at_ia.nu · Post by **Ronnie_B (rbn_at_ia.nu** » 10 Sep 2003, 13:21

Hi, I have had the same problem on my V70 Classic -00.
I talked with a country-side repairman who worked with cars his entire life and he gave me the following possible causes.

The key is coded to prevent the car to be started with a fake key. When you insert the jey into the ignition the code is confirmed. If not confirmed the car won't run, just start and then die. The probably cause in then that the "reader" is damaged and needs to be replaced.

Afraid of what that would cost I tried to use the spare key, and after that it only happend ones for me. So if you have another key, try it.

If you know something else please let me know...
email: [email protected]
/Ronnie, Sweden.

Debra B · Post by **Debra B** » 02 Sep 2004, 13:48

I had similar problems with my 2000 s80. Just replaced the MAF sensor. Hope this does the trick. I will keep you posted.

MikesS70 · Post by **MikesS70** » 02 Sep 2004, 20:20

travel777 wrote:Does anyone else have a problem with an S70 AWD that every now and then refuses to start? The engine turns over, catches, then dies. Sometimes the car has to be towed to the dealer, sometimes we get lucky, let it sit for 10-15 min. and it starts. This happened in mid-July, before that in June. Could it be the fuel line? Gas not getting into the throttle box? Electrical? Any suggestions? Thanks!

I'm surprised nothing has triggered the OBDII computer to lodge a problem code..... If you don't have a home use scanner for downloading trouble codes, swing by your local AutoZone as they often provide this a free service.

If there are no codes set, then Ronnie's idea about the transponder code in the key seems to make more sense. When we bought our S70 the dealer told us about the keys, the anti-theft encoding in them and how much they cost to replace (they have to come from the factory apparently). I don't know how the car will react with a bogus key or, as Ronnie suggested, a bad reader but I would get with the dealer (or a *good* independant shop that specializes in Volvos) and present that idea to them.

Good luck....

VolvoOwnerFirst · Post by **VolvoOwnerFirst** » 08 Mar 2005, 07:27

Hello, I seen to be having the same problem on my 99 S70. Just started a couple of days ago. Starts fine, seems to catch but then just dies. I've tried it with my key and my wife's key both seem to have the same problem. Anyone have any luck with this problem??

ProZak · Post by **ProZak** » 21 Apr 2005, 19:00

...volvospeed.com or edmunds.com. Of course, I can't find it now. :P

Anyway, the idea was that the ignition switch assembly wears out and doesn't make good contact with the key that has the special chip in it. Replacement fixes the problem, but then you have 2 different keys, one to run the car and one to unlock it. No word on whether the replacement mechanism can be re-keyed.

Good luck!

ProZak
1998 GLT Wagon w/ 46k; my wife just bought it, and here I am in freaking Iraq. There's no justice.