Greetings,
Four or five times this has happened: I try to start the car and nothing happens. Lights, radio, dash all work, but the car doesn't turn over or crank at all. The first few times, jiggling the key and trying again worked. It would not reoccur for a while (several weeks) and then it happened again. Jiggled key, car started. Yesterday, though, I had to to some more jiggling than usual, and I was thinking it is probably time to fix this before the jiggling solution no longer works and I (or my wife) get stuck somewhere.

Any ideas about what might be causing this or how to fix it?

I have read on this board that replacing the electrical part of the ignition switch is not terribly difficult or expensive.

Jiggling the key makes me think the ignition switch is worn. Normally that doesn't throw a code but check them anyway. Has the car ever shut down while driving? (worn switch causes that also). Another thought is corroded starter cables or ground (jiggling just coincidental to successful start). Good luck.

Having lots of keys on the ignition key fob can cause bad wear in the switch. Best to just have one key and the remote on the ring. The immobiliser antennae ring can be suspect.

Thank you both. Only one key; no danglers. It has never stopped while driving; it's only the few times that nothing happens. I may start with the immobilizer ring. Thanks again.

Hi Kevin,

How has your starter behaved since you posted in June?

I've battled this same problem with the Bosch starter in my old 740
years ago, and it appears to be a chronic problem with Volvo.
With the 740 it would quit suddenly and turning the key would no nothing.
Then I could short the two starter solenoid lugs, and it would start normally.
It could fail to start the next day or go for months and suddenly quit again.

I tried a second starter with the same results, and believe that the current
capacity of the starter solenoid circuit via the ignition switch and switch
interlock and associated wiring is just barely adequate, making this an all
too common problem.

This could be improved with the addition of a simple high current SPST relay at the solenoid terminals to be energized by the existing wire from the shift interlock. The little 4 pin Volvo "K" relay would do, I believe it's a 50 amp relay. Maybe Dave Barton has a socket for it and it would be easy to install?
www,davebarton.com (Volvo wiring maven)

If your starter has been behaving, it's only waiting for some emergency to quit when you need the car the most to conform with Murphy's Law.

Keep us posted, Bill

Hey there,

In the end, I took it to my mechanic who found a loose or deteriorating wire. Fixed that, which seems to have solved the problem.

Hi Kevin,

I was in hopes that you could get specific info to resolve a funky starter.
And you repeated the same vague statement that some wire was loose or deteriorating.

Not much help to the next guy that is looking for answers.
Please ask your tech to be specific about what he did to what wiring.

It's always good to share solutions to improve the data base.

Bill

Bill,

Respectfully, as you noted, I replied immediately to the question. However, as the issue happened almost four months ago, I don't remember exactly what the mechanic said. I will not be asking him about a quick service he performed four months ago. Sorry if that's too vague for you. Better luck next time. Or you could ask your mechanic.

Kevin

Not respectful or helpful, kevin.

Not necessary, David.

If you read the thread, you will have see that I responded immediately to a question about a problem that I had with one of my cars over four months ago. I have five older Volvos that I try to keep running for my family (1998, 2004, 2005, 2x2007). I do not even remember at this point which car had the problem. Bill seemed unsatisfied that my response that the issue was a loose wire, and he asked me to ask my mechanic, who deals with more than my five Volvos, about which wire he tightened or fixed four months ago. (My second, duplicate response was an error; I thought my first hadn’t gone through). He again complained that my response was too vague. Bearing in mind that there are only two wires on the starter, I believe that my response, however vague, is more helpful than no response whatsoever. Feel free to disagree; I can’t fathom why you would find it helpful to offer your opinion about my response.

Bill,

Respectfully, as you noted, I replied immediately to the question. However, as the issue happened almost four months ago, I don't remember exactly what the mechanic said. I will not be asking him about a quick service he performed four months ago. Sorry if that's too vague for you. Better luck next time. Or you could ask your mechanic.

Kevin

Hey there,

In the end, I took it to my mechanic who found a loose or deteriorating wire. Fixed that, which seems to have solved the problem.

Hi Kevin,

That was a quick response, amazing with the Brickboard server gagging lately.
Would you ask your mechanic what wire he found loose or faulty?

Don't be surprised if the starter does it's random interval quit act again.

If it does quit, Bonzo's suggestion to smack the starter works
and shorting the two solenoid lugs with a big screwdriver works if you can
see the lugs. Good to know to avoid a tow.

Good luck, Bill

I assume when you put ignition key on that all the dash lights and icons light up

1) I think that car has a starter relay and corresponding fuse, check them
2) Check power overload relay as well
3) Use a long socket extension or a wooden dowel (like a short broom stick)
Put one and on the starter and hit the other end with the hammer.
Sometimes starter solenoid gets stuck and will not react.
4) Check for lose battery connection, plus or minus. Wiggle the connections.