My son's '01 S60 has had several instances where he sits behind the wheel with the car in reverse, clutch depressed and tries to start the car but it won't turn over. If he gets out of the car, locks it with the fob, walks away for 2 minutes, unlocks the car with the fob, gets back in the car, it starts. Any idea what's going on? Thanks.
Marlin

He had this car hauled to the dealer after it wouldn't start for 2 days. Dealer had no problem. Kept the car for 2 days and still no problem. Son had the car for 2 more days and no problems but yesterday the car wouldn't start again. We opened the hood and could hear a relay clicking in the right front area around the headlight. I kept my hand on the starter and starter solenoid and couldn't feel any movement there so I assumed that something else is interfering with the transfer of power to the starter. I got in the car and while holding the key in position III, with my foot on the clutch, I reached over to the gearshift and moved it to reverse. The car started right up. That makes twice that we were able to get this car started by putting the gear shift in reverse. Is there some sort of neutral safety switch on a manual transmission that might be sticking? Will a remote starter connected to the solenoid work in this situation? Thanks for your help.
Marlin

First, tell your son to never engage the starter with the tranny in gear, bad habbit. Clutch should be depressed to ease the stress on the starter.
Now, if the starter will not work and the car is in gear, that is how it is designed to work. So, how far down is the clutch peddle? Sons have a tendency to use as little effort as possible... :)
There is also a ring behind the key switch preventing someone from stealing the car and that could be part of the problem. Locking the car and unlocking again with the key fob may have neutralized the alarm system and allowed the key to turn to position III.
Was the key initially turned to position II and the warning lights on?

Klaus
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1975 164 w/174,800mi (For Sale) 1995 850T w/91,000mi, 1998 V70R w/129,000mi

Actually, I'm the one who told him to put it in reverse because during one of the no-start episodes I got in the driver's seat while he was reading the owner's manual, and when I put the car in reverse, it started.
Marlin

During the no-start episodes, the key will go to position III (the engage the starter position) and the lights are on when the key is in position II (the run position).
Marlin