2002 S60 T5 intermittent no start?

jayhev · Post by **jayhev** » 31 Jan 2009, 13:16

Hello,
First post! I own a 2002 S60 T5 56000 miles and occasionally it wont start. After several attempts it will finally turn over. I took it to a shop(non volvo specialist) and they believe it is the Neutral Safety switch and that if it acts up again just put it in Neutral and it should start. Today I did just that and no dice. It did however finally start after turning the key on and off a bunch of times. Is the Neutral safety switch changeable by the home mechanic? Also could it be the starter relay? Any help appreciated!!!!!!

jayhev · Post by **jayhev** » 03 Feb 2009, 06:35

I found the neutral safety switch! Does ANYONE want to chime in on this? I could use some guidance on how to take it out. Is cleaning it going to help or is replacement the only option.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 03 Feb 2009, 06:47

Before you do this (this might not be the problem) have you read your diagnostic trouble codes from your OBD-II socket?
It could be a finicky ignition switch (you turn your key several times and it starts)...could also be a fuel pump relay acting up (do you hear your fuel pump turn on from the rear of the car when you put your key in position II?). Post back if you've gone through all of this and still need help with the PNP (park-neutral-position or safety neutral switch- same thing)...I may have a file that will help you with this. BTW, the PNP switch allows the car to ONLY start in P or N. Try to see if it will start in any other position...if it does, then this is a quick test that shows that the PNP switch alignment is off and needs adjustment.

jayhev · Post by **jayhev** » 04 Feb 2009, 14:40

Ok it happened again today. The car would not start(crank) I tried every position on the gear select and it did not make any difference. I do hear the fuel pump running so that is not it. I let the car sit and tried again and it started. I drove home(about 15 min) and turned the car off and tried it and it would not start again so I popped the hood and went out and wiggled the shift cable on top of the neutral safety switch and heard something pop. I went in and the vehicle started. Is there something in the switch that could be sticking? Maybe it is the starter solenoid? By the way I checked alignment of the neutral switch in neutral and it appears to be spot on with the line on the switch.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 04 Feb 2009, 19:48

It could be sticking...if it's cold and the PNP switch is old the grease tends to stay in one spot inside of it. Next time it doesn't start, try rowing your shifter up and down about a dozen times between P and L and then see if it will start. Either way, you're probably in for a new switch eventually, unless you want to take it out, clean it and fill it with dielectrical grease.

jayhev · Post by **jayhev** » 04 Feb 2009, 20:13

Thanks for the replies MIJ! It does not appear that the switch will come appart. There are no screws. It only acts up in the cold!

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 04 Feb 2009, 20:49

Ah...I forget yours is a later model one (I have an S70 '98). I would just row the gearshift and see if this does it. Like I said, you could be in for a new one in the future.

60AND70 · Post by **60AND70** » 19 Apr 2009, 19:48

i had the same problem with our s60. we had full power to everything in the car but would get nothing as you turned the key to the "Start" postition. The wire going to the start solenoid apparently either cracks or develops a bad connection. Our dealership was able to cut the cable to solenoid, and recrimp to the connector. This fixed the problem completely. They said this is a common problem they see on S60's. Must have been a bad batch of connections. When it happens again, you can wiggle the wire to see if the connection is able to be made to get the starter to kick over.

inigo · Post by **inigo** » 26 Aug 2009, 14:52

i have an '01 v70 t5 that is having similar problems, if I turn and hold the key for about 2-30 seconds it works but last time it took multiple attempts and about 45 minutes, I will try some of the suggested things here but good to know someone else has similar problem.

Not that it is a good thing it is happening, just kinda weird issue.

jayhev · Post by **jayhev** » 01 Oct 2009, 06:40

remember me? Well I replaced the Neutral safety switch and that seemed to have fixed the problem, I thought!(I thought all along it was starter but local garage said it was neutral safety switch) The other day my wife got stranded in grocery store parking lot and I gave the starter a blow with a hammer and she popped right over. This happened several times in a weeks time so I went ahead and replaced the starter. PROBLEM SOLVED!!!!!!!! Thanks as always for the suggestions!