Ignition stuck on '02 V70 Front WD, parked downhill

npaige · Post by **npaige** » 22 Apr 2006, 18:29

V70, 65 K miles. Maine.

Parking on moderate downhill on dirt, wheels turned slightly to left. Blue sky, 50 degrees, a Saturday afternoon. Nice day. Two kids on board, going home. I turn ignition and can't get to the first position or even more than an 8th of an inch. Wheel remains locked in position. Figured it was wheel lock related to transmission torque or something, jacked up front end and spun both wheels at suggestion of Volvo salesman (service closed Saturdays). No luck. Then attached tractor and dragged in uphill and checked again. Can't get it out of park (how do you do that?) or wheel unlocked.

Can't turn ignition even to first slot, but upon careful, slow key insertion can tell that it would not seem to be a key chip issue as a different volvo key results in a different insertion "feel" and my key turns a hair further. Can't even turn enough to get power to close the windows before rain, though the seat adjustments worked during part of the effort. Not by the end.

Am guessing something related to ignition tumblers . . .

Tried locking/unlocking 3X; tried hard turns on wheel left/right; turned off all power;

Any experience?

thx.

pmonk · Post by **pmonk** » 22 Apr 2006, 19:45

what stands out for me is that the seat adjustment worked for part of the time, but not at the end. I have an 850 and the seat adjustment works all the time, with or without keys, like it isn't related to the ignition, which makes me wonder if it is somehow battery related, but I don't see how it could be since you physically cannot turn the key. Maybe v70s are comepletely different I don't know, I am sure one of the gurus on here will know, good luck!

Post by **matthew1** » 22 Apr 2006, 21:10

From what you wrote, I agree: battery.

npaige · Post by **npaige** » 23 Apr 2006, 05:31

Overhead lights seem to work fine when doors are opened, or they are manually turned on . . .

Post by **matthew1** » 23 Apr 2006, 11:22

I'm no electrical engineer, but I'm going to guess lights take perhaps 1/500th the power of turning over the engine.

It's hard to diagnose these things over the internet, but from what you said the battery would be my likely suspect. Is it original? If so, it's 5 years old.

Also, go into the engine bay and look for electrical contacts that have worked their way loose, and see that the battery terminals are clean and corrosion-free.

The great thing about suspecting the battery is that you can rule it in or out far easier than things like ignition switch because you can take it to be tested, or simply buy a new one. I always start with the simplest solution and work toward complex ones. Saves time, money, headaches.

V70sorry · Post by **V70sorry** » 23 Apr 2006, 22:20

My wife had a similar problem on our 2000 V70 and I would have thought for sure I had your solution, except that you have lifted the front end and pulled the car with a tractor. In any event, She was parked on a hill with the wheels wedged against the curb and because of the pressure on the wheel lock couldn't turn the ignition. I had to horse the wheel pretty hard to release the pressure to get the ignition to turn but that's what worked.

npaige · Post by **npaige** » 01 May 2006, 18:08

Problem was a busted ignition, tumblers were toast, I could have jacked and horsed all day long. Apparently the replacement had to be sent to Sweden or something sketchy like that to recode it. Covered under extended warranty to 100 K miles. Glad I never saw that bill. Thanks for the suggestions.

Post by **matthew1** » 01 May 2006, 23:35

Thanks for posting back with the solution. I'm glad you got off it for zero $.