No start dead battery

Alexws40 · Post by **Alexws40** » 23 Jun 2021, 19:42

Hello, again
Glad I was able to find my account.
My 03 Volvo s40 suddenly decided no to cooperate. One morning, a month or so, I went to start it, it cranked once, attempted to get it to start it again and nothing. I mean not clicks, not buzzing as you would if the battery were low or the started was going out. Just nothing, except for the all the dashboard lights on. Checked back a week or so later and the battery was dead, no lights or any sings of life. Realized that the computer sensed the dying battery and turn everything off. I know that Volvos have a safety features and now have to reset it-the ECM.
Any ideas would be appreciated.
Thank you in advance
Alex

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 24 Jun 2021, 20:46

1. Disconnect battery.
2. Get battery full charged.
3. Connect Positive side of battery.
4. Turn key to position II.
5. Connect Negative side of battery.
6. Turn key off.
7. Start engine.

Note: The first generation ( Platform X40 aka Nedcar ) S/V40 are notorious for failed column locks. The most common results of a failed column lock is it will not let the key go all the way to the start position.

Alexws40 · Post by **Alexws40** » 25 Jun 2021, 00:03

Thank you, RickHaleParker, so very much for your input. I will try this first thing tomorrow morning.
Thank you.

Alexws40 · Post by **Alexws40** » 25 Jun 2021, 20:28

Thanks, again, Rick
Tried it today and still nothing. I am very confused now as I have examined the switch, the starter and see nothing. Battery is fully charged, have headlights and dash lights, again. Still no even a click or buzz when the key is turned to start.
The search continues. Any other ideas?
Thank you!

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 25 Jun 2021, 21:03

Alexws40 wrote: ↑25 Jun 2021, 20:28 Still no even a click or buzz when the key is turned to start.

It might be the Column lock as stated above.

1. Take the Kickplate off the bottom of the drivers side dash.
2. There is one screw holding in the electrical part of the ignition switch. Take it out.
3. With one hand turn the key to start and hold it.
4. At the same time turn the electrical part of the ignition switch top moving toward you.
( Key one direction on shaft, switch the opposite direction on shaft. )

Report results.

If it still does not crank over: Try jumping Green to White on ignition switch.
Green is +30 ( 12V supply ). White is +50 ( Starter ) .

Report results.

Alexws40 · Post by **Alexws40** » 28 Jun 2021, 10:35

THanks, again
I did as suggested, removed the screw on back of ignition switch and tried to start the car. The dash lights went dim during these tries but started did not do anything, still acting as if current does not go to it.
I am convinced the key and switch are not communication or simply a wire became loose/disconnected. I have looked for this but found all visible wires are all connected. Will attempt this PM, after day has cooled down a bit, to activate starter directly on it
Thank you.

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 28 Jun 2021, 12:37

The White wire goes to the Starter motor relay. Which is under the dash. Relay #4. When everything is working you can pull relay #4 and use a jumper wire to crank the starter.

Alexws40 · Post by **Alexws40** » 30 Jun 2021, 08:34

Thank you, once again,
Yes, a bad relay makes sense, however, I followed your suggestion and removed the panel pointed out in the diagram and found nothing behind it but a small computer component. All fuses and relay on this car, S40, are under the hood and none of those match what you described, and have labels that are unrelated to the starting system.
THANK YOU!

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 30 Jun 2021, 13:40

I have a 2003 S40. The relay panel is there. It is slightly left and up from the hood latch release. I cranked my S40 from the starter relay socket.

Did you try jumping the Green wire to the White wire on the Ignition switch?
Push a jumper wire into the switch until you make contact with the terminals on the switch.

Alexws40 · Post by **Alexws40** » 30 Jun 2021, 20:00

Yes, thanks for all your efforts.
The fuse/relay panel is under the hood, exactly where you just said it is, but none of the relays are labeled as "starter relay" or anything like that. Under what label should I look for it?
Have a nice evening