hello! relatively new volvo 850 owner. First winter. Find the car will turn then die. It can take up to 30 tries. Took it to a volvo/saab mechanic and they tested overnight and said codes all good (but it wasn't quite freezing that night!). Recommended keeping gas level high to prevent condensation in tank. All done, still doesn't start in cold. Any recommendations?

Thanks!!!! I've found this site so helpful so far!
Christine

 

Sounds like they're not very interested in getting into your wallet...

My car had similar issues. MAF sensor was dirty. As you're trying to start it, open the hood and look at the VERY LARGE diameter tube that sucks air in (comes over the radiator). It will likely be "squashed" and won't be able to bring air into the engine.

MAF sensors sense the amount of air coming into the engine and they're picky in cold weather.

Hope this helps

 

Hi and Welcome to the forum.

I moved your post to the 850 section so you can get some help with your issue. We never check the new member area. The forum ask that you DO NOT post problems that you want help with there (for a reason).

If you still have a problem, I'd replace the temp sensor under the thermostat. If it's bad it will cause starting issues when cold.

 

Coolant temp sensor is a good guess if you have no choice but to throw parts at it. If you took it to a good volvo mechanic, I would hope that it would be one of the main things they looked at.

From your description of the problem, sounds like you are describing the car actually firing, but then immediately dying out, is that right? Or is it just cranking and cranking without any fire?

How long since the car has had an ignition tune-up? Plugs, cap, rotor, and plug wires if they need it? A weak spark will definitely show itself on a freezing cold startup. If they have not been done recently, or you don't know when, even if it does not fix the problem it will not be money wasted.