S80 T6 Starter Relay location

2tiki · Post by **2tiki** » 08 Apr 2009, 11:46

Could anyone provide the location of the starter relay on a 2000 S80 T6? I'm making the assumption that it's in the main fuse/relay box in the engine compartment, but the label inside the cover doesn't indicate which relay is which. I called the local dealer parts department to inquire about a new relay (looking at this as the culprit for a starting problem), and he asked where it was located. He didn't have anything which showed him where it was and he wasn't willing to go over to the service department to ask a mechanic. I've ordered a DVD online, but until it arrives can anyone point me to the relay? Thanks very much for the help, I'm new to Volvos and even though my car looks like it could be troublesome, it's such a nice vehicle.

Post by **billofdurham** » 08 Apr 2009, 12:47

Welcome to Matthew's Volvo Site.

The 2000 S80 had an early model, to VIN #116810, and a late model, from VIN #116811 and the relay plates in the engine compartment are different.

To VIN #116810:

S80 Relay Panel VIN -116810.pdf: (532.94 KiB) Downloaded 2527 times

From VIN #116811:

S80 Relay panel VIN 116811-.pdf: (547.52 KiB) Downloaded 1430 times

Bill.

2tiki · Post by **2tiki** » 08 Apr 2009, 16:16

Bill,

Thank you very much for the diagrams. I believe it's the older VIN layout, but I'll check when I get home. It's nice to know that there are folks out here who are willing to help a fellow Volvo owner, and I hope to be able to contribute in the future as I get to know my vehicle better. Take care and thanks again.

Billy

Post by **billofdurham** » 09 Apr 2009, 11:58

You are welcome.

It's nice to know that there are folks out here who are willing to help a fellow Volvo owner,

Credit to Matthew whose idea this was.

Bill.

2tiki · Post by **2tiki** » 09 Apr 2009, 16:34

Well,

i located the relay, and it checks out OK, so I'm back to square one and looking at having the vehicle towed to the dealer. The car suddenly decided not to start last week when the key was turned. All lights and systems appeared normal, with no messages indicated, but nothing happened when the key was turned to Position III. I tried a different key, which also didn't work. Eventually the car started as if everything was OK, and I drove it home to my garage. It again wouldn't turn over so I started looking around. There was no signal to the starter solenoid, so I thought that the problem would be further up the wiring train. As I didn't have any diagrams, I looked at the ignition switch (not realizing there was an immobilizer system), and everything appeared to be normal, so I looked at the starter fuse that I found, which was also OK. That led me to the relay and why I was trying to identify which one it was. I disconnected the battery for about 30 minutes to see if that might reset any computer problems, but it really didn't make any difference. The car will catch and turn over normally every once in a while, and when it does I obviously see the signal to the starter solenoid, but I can't find the problem when it doesn't work. I now understand that the signal to energize teh relay comes from the CEM, so at this point I think I'll need to have the dealer investigate to see what codes might be in place and see if they can determine the cause. Thanks again for all of your help.

Post by **billofdurham** » 10 Apr 2009, 12:24

Is it possible that the electrical part of the ignition switch has an intermittent fault? When the engine won't start have you tried wiggling the key to see if it helps? This is a common problem on some of the older models and is an easy repair on the S80.

If you don't have any messages or a check engine light it is unlikely that there will be fault codes stored.

Bill.

2tiki · Post by **2tiki** » 10 Apr 2009, 18:16

I finally gave up and decided to take the car to an independent Volvo shop this morning. I had tried everything with the keys and such, especially looking at the electrical part of the ignition switch, but couldn't find anything. I could start the car by using a jumper across the starter relay, so I drove it down and they took a look at it. They called this afternoon and told me the that the cylinder lock needed to be replaced as it was not allowing the key to turn quite far enough to let the electrical switch do it's job. It felt pretty normal to me, but it's my wife's car and I don't drive it that often, so it seemed to make sense as they were very certain about their diagnosis. I probably should have caught this at soem point, but they'll change it out and hopefully the problem will be solved. Thanks again for all your help.

Post by **billofdurham** » 11 Apr 2009, 11:38

Thank you for the update.

That is not a common fault as it is usually the electrical part that goes.

A locksmith told me that the most used and least lubricated lock on a car is the ignition lock. He recommends a squirt of silicone based oil at every service to prevent the lock "locking up" - his words not mine!

Bill.