Car won't start at random times...thousands later...no diagnosis..

Darabattige · Post by **Darabattige** » 21 Nov 2016, 14:37

Hello. My car has been having issues with starting. It will start fine for months at a time and then some days it will not turn over. All the dash lights come on when I turn the key but the engine won't do a thing...just silence. Then twenty minutes to a day later it will start with no issue. The mechanic diagnosed as a problem with the ignition switch and lock cylinder so I had that replaced. Five minutes after picking up the vehicle the same problem. I brought it back when it started again and they have had it for a week with no starting problems so are unable to diagnose. I am out of ideas and need help. Thanks in advance. P.S. I am not a "car" person so please keep in mind I don't have much knowledge of any possibilities.

Post by **abscate** » 21 Nov 2016, 14:41

a no-crank condition is one of the easiest things to diagnose on any car. I believe your 1998 has a starter bypass wire that will let you activate the starter directly from the battery. That will tell you if you have a electronic problem or a starter problem.

I'll try find the link to the remote start thread. I have on for my 1999 but your model is different

MSLV70 · Post by **MSLV70** » 21 Nov 2016, 19:03

My first thought would be the neutral safety switch. That only applies if it's an auto... The next time it happens, try rattling the shifter a bit.

-Matt

Post by **cn90** » 21 Nov 2016, 21:01

You need to clarify something:

1. No crank at all (as if the battery is dead).

2. Cranking OK but engine does not "catch".

For #1, possible culprits are:
a. Dead battery
b. Ignition switch as in case already replaced.
c. The 1998 S70 has a starter relay in the circuit, if the starter relay acts up, it is an intermittent problem.
d. The PNP (Auto) is a long shot, I have not heard about PNP being the culprit in this forum.
e. I have a hunch your starter motor solenoid is schizophrenic...

For #2, it is way more complex to diagnose.

Post by **abscate** » 22 Nov 2016, 10:23

Can you check that the mechanic replaced the electrical part of the ignition switch and not the immobiliser antenna?

Look at th ereceipt for the part number

Post by **scot850** » 22 Nov 2016, 10:33

abscate, do 98's have an immobiliser antenna/antenna ring? Thought that was 99-.

Neil.

Post by **abscate** » 22 Nov 2016, 12:33

I thought they still had a chip and antenna but I could be wrong.

Post by **cn90** » 22 Nov 2016, 15:06

I think chip and antenna starts from 1999 ---> present.
1993 through 1998 850, S70, V70 didn't have chip and antenna.

Blockpartie · Post by **Blockpartie** » 23 Nov 2016, 12:33

The US market got immobilizers beginning with model year 1999. It's the chip & antenna type system.

Other markets got immobilizers as early as 1994 (and model year 1994). Some of these systems were dealer installed. Model year 1996 and up got factory installed immobilizers with the chip & antenna type system. This applies to both 850 and X70 cars, although X70 cars always had the immobilizer installed at the factory. It also applies to X90 and X40 cars, and some of the older 400/700/900 series models.