Help me diagnose my starting problem. My engine won't turn when I switch the ignition into start position. It's just dead silence and no particular fault light switches on. All the lights on the dash board including the rev meter and odometer go haywire. They will flash and the odometer acts like a stop watch. Power will go out for 30 seconds and fully restores. I can run radio, head lamp, and fan with no problem after that.

I also have a plug in the wall battery charger / jump start machine at home. When I tried to jump start the car every electronics flashes off and on. I checked the fuse for starter and it looks good and it seems like the battery should be fine too. I am leaning towards electrical problem. Is my ECU dead? If so are there cheap fixes without getting a new one at dealer?


Thanks a lot, Robert.

Sounds fairly typical when the battery is so low that it won't take a proper charge.
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1998 S70 T5 Emarald Green Metallic (125K), 2004 V70 2.5T Ruby Red (45K), Previous Owner of Black '94 850 Turbo Wagon (Sold at 140K and miss her). My cars have been running so well lately they've got me worried.

I am in the shop right now and lets see what they tell me. This brings me to the question of maintence. I bring my car in for maintence at regular 10k interval and my last check up was less than a week ago for the 130k mile service. I am not sure what is the purpose for me to do these preventive care if they can't spot it ahead of time. I can do my own fuild changes, I might as well just ignore these 10k interval and only bring the car in for big service (timing belt) or when the car stops running.

Anyone feels the same? I feel like if I am tossing 200-300 dollars everytime I go in I shouldn't be stranded due to a battery problem. That's besides the fact I just discovered I am missing a lug nut on one of the wheel. Did they forget to put one on or they didn't notice it during maintence. Either way I felt like I got charge for an every expensive oil change at 130k service.

People who bring their car to the dealer for routine maintenance should be given a discount for parts and labor, along with free coffee. I do my own oil changes/brakes, but when I bring it in for hard stuff I usually get a "deal" which is 15% off.
Ask them if they can just "give" you another lug nut, freebe. If not, start doing your own maint at home. It will cost you a floor jack and perhaps a ramp to drive up. The labor is free!

Klaus
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(V♂LV♂s 1995 854T, 1998 V70R)