No-crank, no-start Diagnostic Procedure

MVS Forums member dvlchd3 goes over his diagnosis of his 2015 V60’s no start condition. In the end, he helpfully summarises his findings. This is a nice, easy-to-understand Volvo problem solving list that will point you in the right direction if your Volvo isn’t starting and isn’t cranking. If it is cranking over (turning over), this list is not the one for you. In that case, I’d search for similar experiences for your model of Volvo. He has a 2015 XC60, but the problem he’s facing is a very general one, applicable to every Volvo except EV models.

dvlchd3 » For those in a similar no-crank, no-start, here’s the procedure I’d follow in the future:

1. Battery — is it charged/good, if not could be battery or alternator.
2. Check for voltage drop between terminal->connector, terminal->starter wire nut (side of battery), terminal->after starter wire fuse — this will rule out the inline fuse/battery connection issues.
3. Check voltage at starter, both the solenoid and main line should have 12V. Try to start and see if there’s significant drop. Should check post first -> nut -> lead (could just be a loose/rusty connection here).
4. Check for bad block ground – measure voltage from negative battery terminal to the block, try to start — this should always be 0, if you ever see voltage here, you are completing the circuit and the block ground wire is bad/rusty/loose.
5. Finally, replace the starter, it’s probably that.