Engine Immobilizer?

Post by **MrAl** » 01 Feb 2022, 17:16

Hello there,

Does the 1998 Volvo v70 or other model of that year have an engine immobilizer?
I ask because earlier today i went to start the car and the starter would not turn the engine over. The battery was fine and the panel lights came on as normal, but the starter never turned so the engine would not even attempt to start.
I've rad that engine immobilizers are to prevent theft, and there are different types tha may stop the starter from turning or prevent the plugs from firing.
'
If it is not some sort of immobilizero, then what else would stop the starter from turning to start the engine?
Could the gear shift lock mechanism or something have anythign to do with it?

Really puzzeled with this issue.

Thanks.

Post by **abscate** » 01 Feb 2022, 17:41

Recent thread on this.

The starter relay gets 12V from terminal 50 on the key, the ground side of the relay is grounded through the lock controller 2/76

The rest of the wiring and the PNP switch have to be functioning correctly to crank the starter.

Troubleshooting….start by pulling the small green wire if the starter and seeing if it gets 12V when you turn the key yo KP III

work backwards from there

Post by **scot850** » 01 Feb 2022, 18:06

Check the gearshift (assuming auto trans) is fully home in Park and that the pres button is not stuck. Usually this can prevent the key being removed.

Try also manually opening and closing the driver's door lock a couple of time. Sometimes the immobiliser can get confused and this will reset it.

They follow up on what abscate suggests!

Neil

Post by **foggydogg** » 01 Feb 2022, 18:22

When my new-to-me '98 did this, it was corrosion on the signal wire terminal on the solenoid. It took some doing to get in there (it's an R ) but I ended up having to both wire brush the spade on the solenoid and carefully pinch the female connector for better connection.
If you can actually reach it without too many gymnastics, give it a good wiggle or two and see if it does anything different.

Post by **abscate** » 01 Feb 2022, 23:22

Oh yes. Check fuses. If your overhead console lights don’t work , you could have blown the fuse ( back tailgate wiring?) which knocks out the lock controller and thus cranking too.

Documented in my “ Oneonta “ thread

Post by **MrAl** » 02 Feb 2022, 04:09

abscate wrote: ↑01 Feb 2022, 23:22 Oh yes. Check fuses. If your overhead console lights don’t work , you could have blown the fuse ( back tailgate wiring?) which knocks out the lock controller and thus cranking too.

Documented in my “ Oneonta “ thread

Thanks for all the replies.

I am very sorry i neglected to mention that it did start after several tries maybe 10 tries or something but not 20.
I found that strange too.
I smacked the grear shift around a few times with my hand but cant be sure if that helped i dont think it did at first, then after a few more tries it started.

I'll tell ya, what they have done to these cars (not just Volvo this time) is sad and disgusting. My neighbor had the very same problem the day before but it was his key that was faulty, or at least that is what we think so far, he has a Mustang and might have to have it towed to the dealer to fix or replace the key.

His ignition key has a transmitter in it, does our Volvo have a transmitter in the key?

Post by **abscate** » 02 Feb 2022, 05:26

1998 no, in North America thst came in 1999.

It makes 1999 impossible to steal without a flat bed or tow truck, which removes 99% of thieves from the picture, and the 1% left aren’t interested in old Volvos

Check threads in on checking the pnp and the remote starting terminal under hood. Unfortunately that terminal does not override the Pnp ( seriously Volvo?) so you can’t skip that

Post by **MrAl** » 02 Feb 2022, 10:50

abscate wrote: ↑02 Feb 2022, 05:26 1998 no, in North America thst came in 1999.

It makes 1999 impossible to steal without a flat bed or tow truck, which removes 99% of thieves from the picture, and the 1% left aren’t interested in old Volvos

Check threads in on checking the pnp and the remote starting terminal under hood. Unfortunately that terminal does not override the Pnp ( seriously Volvo?) so you can’t skip that

Hi,

What is a PNP ?

Post by **scot850** » 02 Feb 2022, 11:31

PNP switch is the Park-Neutral switch for an automatic transmission. It prevents the vehicle being started while in gear our out of the park function of the transmission.

This part does wear out over the years. It has a carbon plate in it with a needle that runs across it. Over time this gets up a build-up of carbon and wears through the carbon contact which then prevents the car starting as it believes the car is not safe and in the park mode.

Sometimes if you row the gear shift pack and forward fully a few times it can clean itself enough to allow you to start the car. You will initially have to depress the over-ride button on the RHS of the gear leaver to allow you to do this.

If this works, then you are being given fair warning that the part is end-of-life.

There are several threads on the subject on MVS. Be careful which brand of part you use if not Volvo. You will find several recommendations on what is not advised.

Neil.

Post by **MrAl** » 03 Feb 2022, 05:36

scot850 wrote: ↑02 Feb 2022, 11:31 PNP switch is the Park-Neutral switch for an automatic transmission. It prevents the vehicle being started while in gear our out of the park function of the transmission.

This part does wear out over the years. It has a carbon plate in it with a needle that runs across it. Over time this gets up a build-up of carbon and wears through the carbon contact which then prevents the car starting as it believes the car is not safe and in the park mode.

Sometimes if you row the gear shift pack and forward fully a few times it can clean itself enough to allow you to start the car. You will initially have to depress the over-ride button on the RHS of the gear leaver to allow you to do this.

If this works, then you are being given fair warning that the part is end-of-life.

There are several threads on the subject on MVS. Be careful which brand of part you use if not Volvo. You will find several recommendations on what is not advised.

Neil.

Hello,

Thanks for the info.

I tried to move the gear shift back and forth but it was stuck in park and woutd not budge a bit even with reasonable force.
What and where is the override switch for that? Dont remember seeing that.

I think i remember haveing to put my foot on the brake too to start the car, not sure if i remember that right though.