1999 Volvo s70 Random Shut Offs

dcmatos · Post by **dcmatos** » 17 Sep 2015, 11:44

I'm having some trouble with my car. When I originally bought my s70, it ran with a battery that was smaller than what should have been in it. About 3 days ago, I bought the correct size battery and installed it in the car. Now, my engine will shut off randomly when I am driving and my radio will not come back on.

I want to say that I may have burned out a few fuses or the fuel pump relay may have gone bad, but worst case it may be the fuel pump altogether. Does anyone have an idea of what it could be? I'm REALLY hoping that it is not the fuel pump.

Thanks.

1ezliving4ume · Post by **1ezliving4ume** » 17 Sep 2015, 13:36

can you reinstall the old battery to see if it still does it?

obayha · Post by **obayha** » 17 Sep 2015, 13:46

Is the CEL on?
Changing a battery, if done correctly, should not be a problem with the car stopping and radio control.
It is just a power source to start the car, pretty much it.
Your fingers may have touched something they were not to touch.
If you burnt fuses, they do not work randomly.
Unless you have had problems in the past with fuel pump, question as to why that is a suspect?
Did you reverse the battery wires on hook up and then change back. That could be a problem maker.
Maybe try and disconnect battery again, give it 10 mins. and reconnect.
Do you reset the code on the radio every time the engine cuts off? Could indicate bad connection at battery.
Shane

Post by **RussB** » 17 Sep 2015, 20:37

dcmatos wrote:I'm having some trouble with my car. When I originally bought my s70, it ran with a battery that was smaller than what should have been in it. About 3 days ago, I bought the correct size battery and installed it in the car. Now, my engine will shut off randomly when I am driving and my radio will not come back on.

I want to say that I may have burned out a few fuses or the fuel pump relay may have gone bad, but worst case it may be the fuel pump altogether. Does anyone have an idea of what it could be? I'm REALLY hoping that it is not the fuel pump.

Thanks.

Tell the whole story, and maybe we can help? What makes you think the battery was too small? Did the car run OK with that battery? Why would you feel you burned fuses or relays and the fuel pump?

Right now you're making wild guesses. We can't do much with the info you gave.

My guess is that there's poor connection at the battery, or ground/hot cable are making poor connections

dcmatos · Post by **dcmatos** » 17 Sep 2015, 22:06

RussB wrote:
dcmatos wrote:I'm having some trouble with my car. When I originally bought my s70, it ran with a battery that was smaller than what should have been in it. About 3 days ago, I bought the correct size battery and installed it in the car. Now, my engine will shut off randomly when I am driving and my radio will not come back on.

I want to say that I may have burned out a few fuses or the fuel pump relay may have gone bad, but worst case it may be the fuel pump altogether. Does anyone have an idea of what it could be? I'm REALLY hoping that it is not the fuel pump.

Thanks.

Tell the whole story, and maybe we can help? What makes you think the battery was too small? Did the car run OK with that battery? Why would you feel you burned fuses or relays and the fuel pump?

Right now you're making wild guesses. We can't do much with the info you gave.

My guess is that there's poor connection at the battery, or ground/hot cable are making poor connections

Sorry fellas. The previously installed battery was not factory standard size and did not really belong in the car. I went to Autozone and Advanced Auto Parts and they both told me so. I was told it was smaller.

Before I changed the battery the CEL was not on. The car sat for about 4 months without moving. The battery had not been disconnected and eventually died. I jumped the car and tried to charge the battery, but when I had it tested it was bad. The radio did not come on and the car barely turned over.

That's when I changed the battery and the car started fine. I turned the power on in the car and waited for the radio to say "CODE" instead of "OFF." It never showed the "CODE" and when I took the car back on the road, the car stopped and I had to turn it off and on again. The RPMs start to drop if I idle too long at a light. The cigarette lighters in the car doesn't work either (it did before).

I assumed it was the fuse for the fuel pump when I took my s70 to Advanced Auto Part and they told me they couldn't diagnose the CEL. The guy said something along the lines of a fuse may have gone bad around the radio or something. So I assumed that maybe the fuse for the fuel pump may have gone bad as well.

dcmatos · Post by **dcmatos** » 17 Sep 2015, 22:11

obayha wrote:Is the CEL on?
Changing a battery, if done correctly, should not be a problem with the car stopping and radio control.
It is just a power source to start the car, pretty much it.
Your fingers may have touched something they were not to touch.
If you burnt fuses, they do not work randomly.
Unless you have had problems in the past with fuel pump, question as to why that is a suspect?
Did you reverse the battery wires on hook up and then change back. That could be a problem maker.
Maybe try and disconnect battery again, give it 10 mins. and reconnect.
Do you reset the code on the radio every time the engine cuts off? Could indicate bad connection at battery.
Shane

Yes, the CEL is on. When I took it to Advanced Auto Parts to have it diagnosed, they could not. The guy said something on the lines of "a fuse going bad" which is also why my radio won't display "CODE" and remains on "OFF." That is also why I suspect a fuse going bad. I assumed maybe the fuel pump fuse going bad. I had a new fuel pump professionally installed a year ago. I will try to disconnect the battery and reconnect it.

Post by **RussB** » 18 Sep 2015, 05:35

Just disregard what the boy at autozone said. It's bad info

The radio code must be entered anytime the battery is disconnected. Call any Volvo dealer and they can give you your code.

Look for a bad connection at the battery, starter and ground. Make sure you cleaned and tightened the battery terminals well

obayha · Post by **obayha** » 18 Sep 2015, 06:11

Go to Auto Zone in your area. Not to sure about Advance Auto as far as reading codes. I use Auto Zone here in Salisbury. They read and give me a print out of the codes. You can check fuel pressure and that should tell you a little about the pump.
Shane

dcmatos · Post by **dcmatos** » 18 Sep 2015, 09:21

RussB wrote:Just disregard what the boy at autozone said. It's bad info

The radio code must be entered anytime the battery is disconnected. Call any Volvo dealer and they can give you your code.

Look for a bad connection at the battery, starter and ground. Make sure you cleaned and tightened the battery terminals well

I'll try cleaning the battery terminals and tighten them again. I have the radio code, but the radio does not prompt me to enter it. It has not since the battery was installed. I've kept the car on for the recommended 2 hours for it to reset.

dcmatos · Post by **dcmatos** » 18 Sep 2015, 12:18

Apparently I am getting the following codes on my Volvo:

p0171
p0174
p0440