2001 V70XC won't start after driving for a short time

edwerts · Post by **edwerts** » 26 Jul 2006, 07:23

Intermittently over the last 9 months, after driving for as short as 15-30minutes and up to 6hrs, when I return to the car a few minutes later, it won't! One of two things happen. Either the starter and engine turn over without starting or it will start but only run for a few seconds before shutting down. During that time, if I press the accelerator, there is no response and the car will stall. Sometimes, the car will start and run after repeated attempts over several minutes. After the most recent incidents, it was nearly 2 hours before the car would start and run. No computer codes show up and no dash messages are displayed. The car runs fine otherwise with no roughness, hesitation, etc. The Volvo dealer installed the 155 software download last month in an attempt to address the problem but to no avail. The car was working fine and they of course told me, "if it ain't broke, we can't fix it!" My local independent foreign car mechanic has also been unable to find the problem but suggested it may be the electronic throtle body. Any suggestions from someone familiar with this problem will be gratefully appreciated.

czmom1230 · Post by **czmom1230** » 27 Jul 2006, 13:52

My wagon does this too, but my problem has to do with the key antenna.
Have you tried taking the key out of the ignition, wait a few seconds, then try to start it again? It has something to do with some mechanism in the key, and the car doesn't start to prevent theft (if that makes any sense).

Sometimes it may take a few times, but try taking the key out and try starting it again. If it's the same problem I have, it may work. I still need to take mine in to have it repaired, but it has nothing to do with the engine or starter.

Has anyone else heard of this type of key antenna problem?

Valerie

eikeeg · Post by **eikeeg** » 17 Aug 2006, 13:01

Had similar problems with a V70 estate, several trips and remedies tried by experienced(!) dealer. Boiled down to the antenna ring - thought this had done it as it was okay for 6 monthe. Problem infuriateingly has returned. Going to replace plugs. But am thinking about distributor cap now. If anything works will let you know.

edwerts · Post by **edwerts** » 18 Aug 2006, 12:59

Thank you for your suggestion. The only other respondant also suggested she had problems with the antenna in the key and that if she removed and reinserted the key, it would start. Fortunately (or unfortunately) this is an intermittent problem that has not recurred since posting this problem at this site. I am not anxious to be caught out with a "dead" car but I would like to see if the "key" trick works. Thanks again.

Post by **JRL** » 19 Aug 2006, 05:51

edwerts wrote:Thank you for your suggestion. The only other respondant also suggested she had problems with the antenna in the key and that if she removed and reinserted the key, it would start. Fortunately (or unfortunately) this is an intermittent problem that has not recurred since posting this problem at this site. I am not anxious to be caught out with a "dead" car but I would like to see if the "key" trick works. Thanks again.

By any chance do you have 2 keys on your keychain?
Sometimes their signal can interfere with each other and cause a short.
This happened to me last week, I was unaware that this could happen

edwerts · Post by **edwerts** » 21 Aug 2006, 04:46

I have only a single key on the chain most of the time but will try to remember this hint in the future. Of course, the two most recent times this problem occured, by the time the tow truck arrived two hours later, the car started and the dealer could find nothing wrong. Now I just wait for the car to abandon me in some lonely parking lot again and hope that it will eventually start! Thanks for your suggestion.