Random, Temporary Start Failure

Revsputin · Post by **Revsputin** » 16 Jul 2011, 08:21

Over the past year or so, my 2000 Volvo S70 will fail to start - but only for a little while. Usually after about 10mins to an hour of lifting the hood and scratching my head, shaking my fist and cursing or some other stress relieving activity, the car will start like there was never an issue at all.
When it happens, all the lights on the dashboard light up and everything seems electrically fine (windows work, radio works, etc.). But the car makes no attempt to start - the starter doesn't start.
This seems to happen only when the car is warm. Never first thing in the morning or at the end of the day, but also never very shortly after turning the car off. It tends to happen after the car has been off for about an hour or so, like after dinner or picking someone up at the airport.
It also doesn't happen very often; lately, it's only been about once a month, if that.

The way it just does nothing then works fine, makes me wonder if there's some loose connection somewhere, but I wouldn't even know where to start looking.

I really appreciate and advice or tips as to what the problem might be. I'm a budding DIY-er, so I'm hoping to be able to do the repairs myself - especially since I'm not thrilled with the idea of giving a mechanic carte blanche to start easter egg hunting around my car, looking for the issue....

- Volvo Info: 2000 S70, SE. 200,130 miles (just went over 200,000 this week - very proud!). It's U.S. spec (bought it in U.S. back in 2003), but I'm living in Naples, Italy right now.

Thanks in advance!

Revsputin · Post by **Revsputin** » 05 Sep 2011, 10:20

Based on reviewing some other posts that have had similar problems and those on a few other websites, I'm starting to suspect that the problem is my starter. Apparently, when the solenoid starts to go, it can become temperature sensitive - when it gets hot, it just won't work - and then the starter won't attempt to start. (Sound reasonable? I have noticed that parking in the shade and opening the hood of the car during one of these spells seems to shorten the wait until the car will start...)

So, I'm planning to replace the starter. I've seen a number of posts concerning replacing the starters on other volvos, but I haven't found any for 2000 S70's. Tina has an exceptionally helpful post from Nov 2009, but can anyone tell me what will be different between the 2000 S70 with an automatic transmission and Tina's 98 S70 with a manual?

Thanks!

Revsputin · Post by **Revsputin** » 05 Sep 2011, 10:41

On a related note, is it possible to replace just the solenoid on the starter? I assume the answer is YES since I can buy just the solenoid instead of the whole starter...

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 05 Sep 2011, 10:42

If this is a no crank condition I would be most suspect of the PNP switch on the automatic transmission.

You can often buy some time by rowing the shifter back and forth - quickly- a dozen times or so.

...Lee