Car won't start randomly????/ Help!!!!!!!

nato · Post by **nato** » 13 Feb 2006, 15:24

My wife and I bought a 2004 S60 2.5 T AWD.....love it most of the time...however the car will randomly not start.....by not start I mean the car has plenty battery power but refuses to engage the starter.....by the time I get it towed to the dealer the car starts for them perfectly and there are no codes in the computer.....they are staring to think that we are crazy....but that doesn't stop the car from completely stranding us at the most incovenient times possible.....any help would be great!!!!!

Viper_7 · Post by **Viper_7** » 14 Feb 2006, 13:25

Typical Volvo...no code..then lots of head scratching. What has happened to the "old" mechanic you could diagnose problems without the need for computer and error codes!

So, the starter doesn't turn at all..but once towed to the garage fires up fine.
Sounds like you may have a flat spot on the starter...but it's not very old which is unusual as this is due to wear usually. Next time it does it just let her roll in neutral a little then engage the gear..if your strong, engage gear and rock the car ..ie turn the crank/engine over slightly..then try and start again,if she fires up,new starter required.

Could also be the starter solenoid, this could be faulty or have a faulty connection.
If it's still under warranty..which I assume it is for the year..if Volvo can't sort it..inform them you will go to an independant ( real mechanic and not a "technician") if they find the fault you will charge it back to them.

Vipes

eikeeg · Post by **eikeeg** » 17 Feb 2006, 11:58

Check replace antenna ring. Had similar problems tried everything, replaced lots of things, antenna ring is the surround of the ignition key barrel and is a known fault.... apparently. It is a cheap part to replace. If faulty it in effect immobilises the engine - can be random. Could try taking key out of ignition and retrying.

ek · Post by ek » 19 Feb 2006, 21:18

You have an antenna ring problem or a key problem. If the starter will not engage does anything come up on the message board? Try another key that you have and try to start it when it malfunctions. There should be a code though. If the spare key will start it, than you have a key problem. If not, then I suggest to replace the antenna ring. We have replaced quite a number of them. I hope that this helps.

Nick27 · Post by **Nick27** » 22 Aug 2006, 12:34

I had this problem, ended up calling the AA. Was told my battery was no good. Got a new battery, happend again. Called AA out again. The bloke wiggled the cable connector on the solenoid and it worked, simple as that. He told me they suffer from corrosion on the connector and during cold weather, the battery does not produce as much current and finds it difficult to overcome the resistance due to the corrosion and dirt.