Hey, new to this forum hope I put this in to the correct category

I'm having an issue with my 2000 (the 2000-2007 model) v70 2.4t. My car had been sitting for a day outside, and when I went to try and start it I had some issues. Basically the key turns all the way, but only the radio and the cigarette lighter turn on. Everything else is dead, the engine won't even try to start. I tested the battery and it seems to be fine. I'm kind of lost, but I have a few ideas. Could it be the ignition, even though the key turns all the way? Maybe the ECU? Any ideas would be helpful, need the car for work. Should I just have it towed to a proper mechanic? Any kind of help is appreciated!!

 

I would suspect simply a bad battery - What methods have you used to test it? A simple load test will tell you if the battery can provide the current needed. Batteries can fail overnight - that's happened to me personally a few times and hundreds of times for my customers when they came in with the same problem. If you don't have a load tester perhaps a temporary replacement battery from another vehicle will confirm whether or not your old battery is ok.

 

It seems SO much like a battery issue that you could be right. I just used a simple load test since I didn't want to buy a new battery straight away (poor student lol). Also thought that since the battery was so new (January -21 according to the stamp) that it couldn't be that. I'll have to test this tomorrow with a friend. Thanks a lot though, will come back to tell if this worked.

 

Actually don't know what a "load tester" is, only word I know for the thing that I have is a voltmeter. Is that the same thing, I think so right? Guess this is an english lesson as well for me.

 

A load tester simulates a load with a resistance such as this cheap one. A voltmeter just measures static voltage and does not give any indication of what the battery is really capable of. Sure if you have 12.4 static volts that's great, but what kind of current can the battery provide? A load tester will give you a clue.

If it is a new (Jan 21) battery and it is indeed bad - most quality manufacturers have a 12-18 month free replacement policy. They understand that not 100% of their products are perfect.

 

UPDATE: As if by some miracle, I came back to the car this morning, and it worked almost perfectly. The car started well and drove nicely, but I still have a few issues. The fuel gauge doesn't work at all and the car's computer won't tell me how many kilometers I have left in the tank. The boot and the rear doors won't open either. These are just the issues that I have spotted so far (there could be more). Would this point towards the battery being the problem or something else? All fuses looked ok.

 

Do those things work with the engine running?
You may have a drain someplace. Your symptoms sound similar to what happens when one leaves a light on or something is running and then later turn it off (or it turns itself off).
Did you just buy the car? Since you had to check the battery for a few month old battery, I assume so. May be why the previous owner sold it - intermittant battery drain.

There's a little vacuum pump on turbo Volvos, the switch is really cheap/thin plastic. If you bump it it breaks and the pump will run, open the hood and see if you hear anything. Stick ear behind the airbox