I have an intermittent starting problem with my 2000 S40. When it does not start everything appears normal but there is no cranking... not even the dead battery type click. So, far between two dealers (one of which talked to their Volvo rep for help) we have replaced the stater, the starting relay, the immobilizer antenna, the immobilizer computer unit, and the keys. I am beginning to hate this car. What are your suggestions?

 

A few more details...

The problem only occurs when the outside temperature is about 65 degrees F.

Generally when you have the problem, if you come back after some period of time (varying from 15 minutes to 4 hours) it will start fine. There was one exception... a couple of weeks ago in some very warm weather while visiting North Carolina I could not get it to start for 2 days. At that point I had it towed an hour north to a dealer in VA Beach. There the immobilizer, it's antenna and the keys were replaced. Two days after picking it up form the dealer, a family member (in NC) who is holding the car for us called to report the same intermittent starting problems that we had experienced so many times before.

 

Next time it happens try to see if it will start in nuetral.

 

I have tried. No luck. Excellent starting point though.

 

Do you have a picture of a Car with an X through it by the speedometer?
If so does it flash when it won't start?

Next thing if you can try to wire a small light bulb to the small wire on the starter. When it fails see if the light lights up. If so then it is in the starter. If it doesn't light up it is in the immoblizer or the PNP switch(Park nuetral Position sensor).

 

There is a indicator similar to what you are describing... signifying the immobilizer. It however does not do anything other than the normal blink during the initial system check.

When the symptoms arise, no power is supplied to the starter. The immobilizer has been replaced.

 

Might be a bad PNP switch.

 

I am having the same issue. Going to dealer tomorrow. I will let you know what they tell me.. 2nd time I having this car worked on. 1st time was a bad idler motor. What is going on with all the S40 problems? Sounds like there should have been recalls.

 

Just got the car back. Dealer replaced the antenna ring on the imobilizer. Will update if not a fix..