2000 V70 XC intermittent starting problems

northern_dweller · Post by **northern_dweller** » 21 Dec 2015, 10:06

Hi All,

I recently purchased a 2000 V70 XC with 107 k. I bought the car knowing that I would need to put new tires on it immediately and replace the timing belt ASAP. When I went to pick it up from the tire center two days after buying the car, it would crank fine but wouldn't start. I came back the next day to diagnose the problem and it started on the third try.

Since then it intermittently will not start or it will start for a few seconds then die. When I turn on the ignition, if I hear the fuel pump prime, it starts fine. If I don't hear the pump prime then it just cranks. I have replaced the fuel pump relay which seems to have not done anything. I also put Royal Purple fuel system cleaner and fresh gas in it. Reading other posts, it sounds like it could be the immobilizer coil but I want to see if anyone has any advice before I start throwing money at it.

It sounds like the car had been not seeing much use for the last year or so before I bought it.

When it starts, it runs great

Any advice would be appreciated.

Post by **abscate** » 21 Dec 2015, 12:24

Lets get down to business. First item, check fuel pressure at rail and see if low pressure corresponds to your no-start condition.

I doubt it is immobilizer but you need VIDA to sort that out anyway.

Post by **stephansvolvo** » 26 Dec 2015, 23:24

I had some of the same issues. I went after the expensive fixes first only by inexperience! Ended up the fuel relay was toast. I got that off amazon for about 35 bucks. Just something else to look at.

Post by **abscate** » 27 Dec 2015, 06:13

I think OP replaced that, but I'm not sure to rule that out yet.

northern_dweller · Post by **northern_dweller** » 27 Dec 2015, 12:04

I did already replace the fuel pump relay and the problem persists. I can always manage to get it started after trying for a little while and I have had success with unlocking and locking five times to clear the immobilizer which leads me to think it still may be the problem.

I will check the fuel pressure at the rail when I get the tools to do that. Thanks for the replies.

northern_dweller · Post by **northern_dweller** » 29 Dec 2015, 18:18

Fuel pressure at the fuel rail during idle was 57-58 psi when I checked it today.

On another note I am now having trouble getting the key out of the ignition.

northern_dweller · Post by **northern_dweller** » 10 Jan 2016, 21:40

The fuel pressure at the rail measured 58 psi at idle and dropped to around 50 psi after turning engine off and held there for 20 minutes. I am still experiencing intermittent start problems but can always manage to get it started after a few tries. Could it be air in the fuel lines or something else causing fuel problems for the first few times I try to start the engine?

Post by **precopster** » 11 Jan 2016, 06:53

Clean the antenna ring connector which is located behind the steering column covers. This would definitely give these symptoms. You need a really thin torx driver such as those cheapies which are attached to a screwdriver type of handle, so your torx socket doesn't get stuck in the holes leading to the torx screws.

DrJammer · Post by **DrJammer** » 11 Jan 2016, 11:14

I do not want to hijack the thread. I had similar intermittent starting issues this fall. had a new fuel pump put in last year, so I did the normal fiddling with fuel pump relay, etc. but the car was starting, and cutting off before hitting idle. I got a new battery recently since I would lose battery power sometimes trying to crank it so much, and the problem seemed to lessen/go away.

I have a no start condition now. I have fuel pressure, and electric power, but when I turn the key to III, there is NOTHING, no crank, just a bunch of noise from the passenger door electrics?

I guess I should follow immobilizer threads? only CEL code is P0455 for vapor (Charcoal canister?) but that shouldn't cause this, I would think.

Post by **scot850** » 11 Jan 2016, 11:59

If you have a leak in the emissions system, it could allow the system to lose pressure causing the poor start Dr. Jammer. The fuel system on the later P80's use pressure to pump fuel from the LH to RH side of the tank. Some of the pipes cannot be seen without dropping the rear sub-frame and fuel tank. However, the first place I would check is the area around the carbon canister, and in particular the pipe that runs from the canister to the roll over valve. I have pulled enough rear axles from PnP to have seen this short 'U' pipe have a split in it. If you look up my thread on replacing the cracked/corroded rear sub-frame on my 2000 'R' there are a bunch of pictures on there where you can see the emissions an fuel pipe layout at the rear of the car.

You could also have a failed ETM. When you switch on the car, do you hear a whine from the ETM for about 8 seconds?

Couple of other thoughts, have you replaced the fuel filter recently, the ignition switch electrical portion, the antenna ring, fuel pump relay, or any of the Battery cables (especially the B+ cable).

Have you checked for battery drains, especially there should not be any noises from the passenger door electrics. There could be a short.

Neil.