1999 V70 Engine Cut-out. Not fuel related.

[mrjolly]

Hi
I recently acquired an ancient but good 1999 V70, but yesterday I had a scary experience. I was waiting at the red traffic lights on a 3 lane roundabout when my 1999 V70 suddenly cut out. I tried several times to restart, but to no avail. The ignition warning lights were all on, starter motor operating fine, but no response at all from the engine. As the lights changed to green, and I was in a potentially dangerous position, I managed to cross in front of the 3 lane A52 traffic using the starter motor and first, then second gear to reach the kerb on the other side of the road and out of danger before the A52 lights turned to green. Goodness knows what I would have done if it hadn't been a manual gearbox! Strangely I was on my way to my local garage, so I contacted them to come and tow the car in and check it over. They could find nothing wrong. It'd had a new set of plugs and leads when I bought it, and it started first time as it always has, and there was no trace of the intermittent misfire I'd originally booked it in for. I collected it later in the day, and all seemed fine until it happened again on the way home. This time, after a short delay, it restarted and I was on my way.
Has anyone else experienced something similar? It was very unsettling!
It would seem to be an electrical fault as there was no warning at all.
Could it be connected to the locking/security system?
Any help or advice would be welcome please, as I have no idea how to test the system for faults.
Thanks

[jblackburn]

This sounds like a case of the fuel pump relay going bad (it often cuts out when underhood temps get hot, such as sitting at a stop).

VERY common on these cars.

You can find the relay at the main fuse compartment under the windshield - the plastic cover lifts off with a few Torx screws around the edges.

[E Showell]

There is at least one post in here detailing removing the relay and jumping between two of the pins with a bent paper clip to determine if, in fact, the relay is bad. I can't recall off the top of my head which pin numbers you jump between, but a search of the forum should reveal same. Best of luck.

If it turns out not to be the fuel pump relay, make sure you check the battery cable to the starter where is passes along the front subframe. The cables can rust through at that point and it is virtually undetectable unless you get down there and physically tug on the cable. It can look connected and still be rusted clean through.