1999 V70 nostart? I am in serious trouble!!

wooshuck · Post by **wooshuck** » 16 Nov 2019, 00:31

I bought a BEAUTIFUL 1999 V70 WAGON with no rust anywhere and very fine upholstery and tires from a guy who downsized and moved. He sold it because he periodically had trouble starting it since he didn't use it that often. Battery was periodically in need of charge after no use for a month or two, sitting in garage.

When the time came to move from his house he practically gave it away because he didn't want any other issues.

I towed it to the best indy in the Detroit area and let them work on it. After keeping it for a month and doing very by-the-book diagnoses at little cost to me, they are saying it needs a new engine computer, based on additional diagnosis including trips to the Volvo dealer at thyeir cost.

The problem is that the dealer and the guy say that the engine control unit for these 1999 V70 models is NLA. I talked to them about having the ECU rebuilt by MEMODEX (??) . They called them and no one is sure that the unit is rebuildable.

These guys are NOT trying to cheat me. They hauled the car over to the dealer at no charge, bit the bullet on diagnosis by the dealer, and my bill after two months diagnosis storage etc is 157.00, so if they wanted to cheat me, they are not trying very hard.

So what do I do?

I am looking to get another engine unit. The issue appears to be that the circuitry that activates the immobilizer circuits is bad.

If they can't bypass, I THINK I have to find another used 1999 V70 ECU.

Does this sound right? Any other ideas?

They tell me that it might be cheaper to junk the car, but I can't see it, this one is too good. Or possibly buy another V70 with compatible parts and make the best of two.

I am really open to the serious opinions of other Volvo owners, indies and dealers.

Thanks!

Post by **abscate** » 16 Nov 2019, 02:30

Welcome!

The 1999 and 2000 years are the transition years , and have some quirks that you have to be aware.

One is the ECU is flashed to the VIn, so you cannot swap without matching software using a program called VIDA and a subscription to Volvo’s server.

Does the car start then die after running a second or two?

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 16 Nov 2019, 03:04

Open hood, on passenger side pull cover off plastic box. Take a closeup picture of the two labels. Post picture here.

Post by **abscate** » 16 Nov 2019, 03:07

Thanks RHP

We need to know if you are Denso or Bosch engine management, too.

Add pictures by:

Full editor button below, attachments, add files, follow directions

Post by **wizechatmgr** » 16 Nov 2019, 17:24

abscate wrote: ↑16 Nov 2019, 02:30 Welcome!

The 1999 and 2000 years are the transition years , and have some quirks that you have to be aware.

One is the ECU is flashed to the VIn, so you cannot swap without matching software using a program called VIDA and a subscription to Volvo’s server.

Does the car start then die after running a second or two?

^^This. If this is happening then the immobilizer circuit may be perturbed about a wiring fault in the tailgate/trunk.

DutchvolvoC70 · Post by **DutchvolvoC70** » 22 Jun 2021, 09:31

Did you found it? I’ve got some same issues with my car. Vida says not connecting to antenna ring. But that’s a new one. Car start 1 time a day. If turned of you can’t start it again that day. Or it goes on and then after 1 sec engine dies. After that nothing works to get it running again.

Is it possible to change immobilizer and ecu from a wreckcar. Sure it have to be the same model ecu….
Are there any other things to check?