Hi,

I have a 2008 XC70 which has been running great until recently. It has about 59k miles on it. About a month ago, after returning from a shopping center, it just would not start. It has the push-button engine start system. The key fob got stuck in the slot and would not get released. All electrical system went down. Turned out to be a dead battery. Got it jump started, got back home, and replaced it with a new Volvo battery. This happened about couple of months ago and it has been running well since the battery was replaced. Until now.

Today, again the same incident: I was returning from a shopping center (a different mall this time, if it matters) and the car would not start. But this time all electrical systems (dashboard, open-door beeps, power seats, power brakes, etc.) are working properly, but just that the engine will not start.

Symptoms:
1) Key fob is inserted in the slot and the dashboard lights up
2) Car is in 'Park' but dashboard says, 'Shift to P'
3) Nothing happens when engine start/stop button is pressed. There is no engine cranking sound, nothing. The dashboard goes blank (shuts off) with some clicking sounds, when the button is pressed. Then, after a few moments, the dashboard comes back alive and starts to display #2 message again. Pressing the start/stop button again makes the dashboard go off and come back alive after few moments
4) While #2 is displayed, key fob is stuck in the slot. It does not get released
5) A while later (anytime around 15-20-30 seconds), if I do not do anything, #2 disappears and the key fob then can be released
6) When #2 disappears, I tried to start the car but it does not start. #3 occurs.

Finally got the car towed to my home. I think check engine light is showing up; will check out tomorrow and get the codes.

Anyone experienced similar problems with your XC70? What could be wrong? Ignition or starter problems?

Or is it just that the 2008 XC70 is not meant for shopping?

Would appreciate any insight and help on what to check and how to fix this.

Thanks!
Azeez

 

When you replaced the battery, was any corrosion on the negative cable? Very common for the battery to leak and corrode the cable. Some can be cleaned, others need replacement. This will cause this problem.

 

Yes, precisely. The negative terminal had whole lot of white powder residue on it. After replacing the battery, cleaning the terminal, and driving for couple of days with the new battery, I still saw a whole lot of white residue deposits on the negative post and terminal. I then cleaned them both with water and baking soda, and applied dielectric grease on them. Today when the car didn't start, that was the first thing I checked, and the negative terminal and post were clean with the grease still on intact. No white powder deposits, nothing.

The positive terminal had been clean all the time. No corrosion at all there.

Could the negative terminal cable have gone bad?
Should I try replacing it?

How easy is it to do? I mean, does it run long through the engine compartment, into hard to reach places?

Thanks!

 

I have seen the corrosion eat into the cable. It may need replacement. Its only about a foot long, running under the cowl cover

 

Thanks. I found the part number for it - 31210330. Will replace it.

 

Replaced the cable and it started right up.

 

[QUOTE=azeezn;364016]Hi,

I have a 2008 XC70 which has been running great until recently. It has about 59k miles on it. About a month ago, after returning from a shopping center, it just would not start. It has the push-button engine start system. The key fob got stuck in the slot and would not get released. All electrical system went down. Turned out to be a dead battery. Got it jump started, got back home, and replaced it with a new Volvo battery. This happened about couple of months ago and it has been running well since the battery was replaced. Until now.

Today, again the same incident: I was returning from a shopping center (a different mall this time, if it matters) and the car would not start. But this time all electrical systems (dashboard, open-door beeps, power seats, power brakes, etc.) are working properly, but just that the engine will not start.

Symptoms:
1) Key fob is inserted in the slot and the dashboard lights up
2) Car is in 'Park' but dashboard says, 'Shift to P'
3) Nothing happens when engine start/stop button is pressed. There is no engine cranking sound, nothing. The dashboard goes blank (shuts off) with some clicking sounds, when the button is pressed. Then, after a few moments, the dashboard comes back alive and starts to display #2 message again. Pressing the start/stop button again makes the dashboard go off and come back alive after few moments
4) While #2 is displayed, key fob is stuck in the slot. It does not get released
5) A while later (anytime around 15-20-30 seconds), if I do not do anything, #2 disappears and the key fob then can be released
6) When #2 disappears, I tried to start the car but it does not start. #3 occurs.

Finally got the car towed to my home. I think check engine light is showing up; will check out tomorrow and get the codes.

Anyone experienced similar problems with your XC70? What could be wrong? Ignition or starter problems?

Or is it just that the 2008 XC70 is not meant for shopping?

Would appreciate any insight and help on what to check and how to fix this.

Thanks!
Azeez
Hi, my 2008 Xc70 is doing the same thing. Did you ever get to the bottom of it?

 

[QUOTE=Gdt928;490352]
His last post immediately above yours.