ALL CAPS BECAUSE I CARE: COLD WEATHER & STARTING ISSUES

[calbrit01]

I went back to 91 octane from 87 and the car seemed to start better this morning - anyone experienced this?

[VolvoS70Driver]

My 98 S70 has this issue but I'm sure it's strictly fuel related. On first crank, she runs for about 2 seconds then quits. This issue occurs as the temps reach freezing and below. 36 degrees, cranks fine, 32 degrees, problem shows up, below 20 degrees, drive truck. Crank power is very good as the starter still turns the motor full speed after many attempts.

After several attempts of key-off, key-on, crank, it usually starts. Sometimes it takes 10-20 cycles of this. The current cold snap brought us to teens in NC and after a good 40 plus tries, I had to give up and take the truck to work.

On some occasions I would hear the buzzing described above (presumably the fuel relay) but usually not until after several cycles which makes me think it could be the freezing water in the fuel filter issue. I guess I could replace both the filter and the relay and see what happens.

Or I could put a small heater under the fuel filter and see if it thaws out ?

Any thoughts on this particular scenario are invited and appreciated.

Thanks...... Doug

[VolvoS70Driver]

Follow-Up on 98 S70

Since it had warmed up to 15 F, I decidced to check out the fuel relay. I thought, what the heck, I'll try the blow dryer on the relay trick listed above and what do you know, after a couple of minutes on high, she started right up.

Though I can't get a replacement very quickly, at least I now know what the issue is.

Thanks to MadeinJapan for sticking this thread and all the various input to make this a home fix versus a shop fix.

Doug

[MadeInJapan]

You can try the repair if you're keen with a soldering iron and have a Radio Shack nearby...write-up is in the repair database.

[philip1006]

When I try to start my S70 in sub-zero temperature, it won't start. With the key in the start position, the solenoid doesn't activate and the starter will not engage.

When the temp is above zero, the car starts fine. Does anyone know what is going on?

[volvomileage]

i am not a pro...but...

just a wild guess here philip....have u checked ur battery ? or maybe a loose connection....
in warm temp does it start right away ?

cold temperautures seem to beat the hell out of the batteries....

[VolvoS70Driver]

Final follow up on 98 S70 with Fuel Pump Relay.

I indeed decided to try the capacitor replacement repair listed in this thread. I was able to get the Radio Shack 100uF cap listed but they did not have the 22uF cap so I ended up with a 100v 22uF cap which obviously will have a slighty larger canister.

Though I struggled with fitment a little bit, I managed to get them soldered in and the cover back on with no damage or stress.

The car started right away yesterday afternoon but then it was around 40 degrees so the real test was yet to come.

This morning at 28 degrees, a condition that would have certainly allowed the issue to show up, the car started right up.

Kudos to whoever though of this fix. ( I can't recall who posted it)

I am still going to order one just as a backup at this point but at least I am on the road again.

Cheers,

[coreyb]

My 93 850 stopped starting earlier this week. Battery is in fine condition, starter turns, fuel pump appears to be working fine. No idea what else to check

[MadeInJapan]

Have you read your trouble codes?

[coreyb]

Have you read your trouble codes?

A1=223
A6=154; 214; 411