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Intermittant Start problem OR (Volvo for Life (of Warranty?) V70-XC70

posted by  hadleyfarm on  Thu Jan 16 14:14 CST 2003
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Is there a Volvo Consumer Complaint Ombudsman?

The Mechanical Problem -
It starts up first thing in the morning, BUT after a doing some errands (short distance driving) will not start up again (turn key and NO ENGINE SOUND, interior electrics work.

This happened for the first time in October 2002 (still under warranty). I took it to a Volvo dealer #1 (not where it was purchased) and they replaced the battery cable although the problem was never recorded on the car's ECM memory chip.
Approximately 3 weeks later (now out of warranty) it happened again, after apprx. 1 1/2 hours, I was able to start it. I took it back to dealer #1 and, although they could not ascertain why it happened, they replaced the starter replay switch.

A couple of weeks later, it happened again. The Volvo dealer #1 (recognizing that the car was "out of warranty" now "did not have the time to see the car for at least three weeks". Took it to a second Volvo dealer #2 who checked it out with (vadis), checked starter system - could not explain what the problem was and why it would reoccur. Suggested that I use spare keys to run car. Recommended that "the next time" I not try and restart BUT have the car towed to dealer so that they could plug into ECM to diagnose - if I retart it, any trouble codes would be erased.

Well, yesterday morning (1/13/03) it started first thing and I drove the kids to school (1/2 mile). Came out after twenty minutes and IT HAPPED AGAIN!!! it would not start, no engine sounds what so ever, I disengaged and reengaged the automatic shift, I used both sets of keys, I locked and unlocked the doors with the remote, I tried and tried and NOTHING.

I had the car towed 45 miles to the Volvo dealer #2 as they had recommneded. The mechnaic got into the car turn the key and it started - I thought he was going to plug into the computer before trying to start it - No, he said, any registered trouble codes would not be erased by starting it. No trouble codes were identified. Once again, the problem could not be identified and now Volvo dealer #2 decided to once again, replace the starter relay switch, with a used one he got off another car (totaled) on the lot.

The Warranty Problem -
He said he was doing this as a "courtesy" to me that he did not wish to spend any more time or expensive parts (new starter) on this problem "... after all you did not buy the car from us and it is out of warranty".

I drove home worried that this most likely will happen again, and with a 4 month old baby I could not risk a dead car in the cold of frigid winter weather.

This is not why we purchased a Volvo. We should be able to have this car serviced by any Volvo dealer like any other Volvo car under warranty and not to be treated as if we beggars needing a stable to sleep in.

Can anyone PLEASE give me any insight into how best to proceed with Volvo - do I need to call an attorney?

Thanks!!!








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    No crank (starter does not spin engine over)? V70-XC70

    posted by  someone claiming to be Dave on  Fri Jan 17 00:03 CST 2003 [RELATED]

    It reads to me that your engines starter does not crank the engine at all when you're trying to start the car right(not cranks but fails to start)? If so, I don't know why either dealer would look for codes in Vadis as there simply wouldn't be any for that condition. It also has nothing to do with the "lawnmower syndrom" (below).
    It being a complaint written up and recorded previously while under warranty, it should still be an issue covered and ANY Volvo dealer anywhere should be able to deal with that regardless of where the car was purchased as records can be forwarded.
    If you're getting a runaround from both dealers now while still not fixing the problem, you'll need to call Volvos customer service # and they should be able to persuade one or the other to do whatever's necessary to properly diagnose and repair the car.
    Now, a "no crank" condition should be first duplicated by the tech, then he needs to fault trace to see which component isn't passing current assuming that there's no voltage at the starter itself. If they're unable to duplicate it (like it starts everytime at either dealer), then all they can do is guess and it's easy to guess wrong. It could be a faulty connection, faulty starter solenoid, relay (already replaced), "PNP" or gear position switch (typically older 850 problem) or ignition switch. There's alot of room for incorrect guessing IF it can't be duplicated at any dealer.








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    Intermittant Start problem OR (Volvo for Life (of Warranty?) V70-XC70

    posted by  RLK-STL-USA on  Thu Jan 16 16:59 CST 2003
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    i have heard this problem before on brickboard...it sounds like the old vapor lock problems of yesterday...a friend of mine says it happens with his volvo when he drives very short distances like pulling the car out of the garage to get to the lawnmower.
    i personally would keep going up the ladder.next step would be to get a hold of the regional service manager then the national service vp and so on until you get the proper answer and solution.dont know if there has been a class action suit involved but i would also go thru the us.gov and see if there has been a silent recall.sometimes when the problem is not wide spread,they treat it like a squeaky wheel.try Consumer Reports and other gov.websites.good luck.







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