2003 xc70, no start and can't hear fuel pump.

SVO LOU · Post by **SVO LOU** » 21 Mar 2026, 10:04

Question for the experts...
I have this 2003 XC70 that's been sitting for about 9 months, it ran before I parked it. It does crank but won't start on its own although it starts and runs fine with carb cleaner. It has a 1/4 tank of fuel and I thought I should be able to hear the pump but I don't.
Fuse 33 for the fuel pump is fine.
Went down the rabbit hole of trying to check the PEM but I can't find it so perhaps this is one of the years that doesn't have one so I pulled the pass. rear seat and put a test light on the fuel pump wire and see it doesn't switch from ground when cranking, looks the lighter blue and black wires are for the fuel pump since they're a larger diameter.
With that I figured if I applied 12V to the fuel pump directly and it works I know which direction to go to but I did that and the fuel pump doesn't turn so I'm kind of stumped, chances are low that it's not getting a signal and the fuel pump is bad.
Any ideas? As you can see I'm kind of all over the place.
Thanks

Post by **abscate** » 21 Mar 2026, 13:13

If you put 12 VDC on the right wires and the pump does not run, it is bad!

Confirm wires.
Retest
Replace pump.

Much easier on p2 XC70 than p80!

Post by **jonesg** » 21 Mar 2026, 14:01

look here for wiring info.

https://charm.li/Volvo/2003/XC70%20L5-2 ... 20B5254T2/

SVO LOU · Post by **SVO LOU** » 21 Mar 2026, 14:51

abscate wrote: 21 Mar 2026, 13:13 If you put 12 VDC on the right wires and the pump does not run, it is bad!

Confirm wires.
Retest
Replace pump.

Much easier on p2 XC70 than p80!

Thank you.
Are you saying if the pump is bad, and not plugged in, it won't get a 12V signal but if the pump is good, and not plugged in, it'll get a signal?

Vova585 · Post by **Vova585** » 21 Mar 2026, 21:16

I might be wrong here, but I thought that PEM started to be used in 2004MY.
2003 is most likely still has good old fashioned fuel pump relay. Diagnostic is simple. Remove rear seat cushion. There will be 2 access covers with 3 screws on each side. You will unscrew the one on the passenger side and will have access to fule pump connector. Use compressed air to clean the top of the pump. Remove gently connector to the fuel pump. 2 big wires(likely green and brown "fat" wires) will be your positive and negative. Get yourself any 12v 20-55 watt bulb and connect 2 wires to it. Gently frontprobe the connector through t-pins or dedicated test "needles"(cheap stuff on amazon). If when you(or helper) cranks the engine-light shines bright= your fuel pump is dead(you go to fcp euro or ipd and buying a quality replacement with new o-ring and a proper tool to unscrew the cap). If no light-report here and we will look further

Post by **jonesg** » 21 Mar 2026, 23:57

yes, 04 was the split yr, some have pem, my 04 doesn't.

SVO LOU · Post by **SVO LOU** » 27 Mar 2026, 13:07

jonesg wrote: 21 Mar 2026, 14:01 look here for wiring info.

https://charm.li/Volvo/2003/XC70%20L5-2 ... 20B5254T2/

Appreciate the link.
Weird thing is that it says there's a FP relay in the engine compartment fuse box at location FST2 but mine had an empty socket. It also said I have a fuse at 33 in the dash fuse panel but I found that one already and it was good.

Really wanted to get a test light to come on when the engine cranked verifying that I was getting power at the pump but couldn't get that.

Finally hooked up VIDA, and although I couldn't find a place where you could activate the FP relay, I did find a place that monitored the FP relay and it did switch on and off when cranking the engine so I ordered a fuel pump.
Came in yesterday and installed it today and the car cranks right up so thanks to all for that.

Funny thing is that I never heard of these cars having FP issues and this is my 7th P2, all 4 kids had P2's in HS and going into college so I was basically doing fleet maintenance on these damn things and never had a fuel pump issue, think I had every other issue, though.

Thanks again.