hi guys, my s40 has developed a problem, before doing too much i thought i would ask here. so i drove it to the store started and ran as usual. when i came back out it will not start. the dash operated normal, but when you turned the key, nothing, no click whirl, nothing. dash lights stayed on, it was in park the indicator in the dash read park. twisted the key about 20 times, turned it over and nothing, i was stuck. i called my good friend and he came to look. he had a scanner that could deep scan the system. no codes anywhere. the immobilizer checked ok. we fiddled for a while, eventually switching the engine and start relays, nothing. after twisting the key another 20 times it suddenly started as normal and i drove it home. it ran as usual. got home and turned it off and again no start. battery is charged, replaced the battery in the remote just in case.acts as there is no connection to the starter.any ideas?

 

Ok you turned it over , is that the key or did the engine turn over? if its intermitend then probably a loose or bad connection to the starter

 

when i turn the key, nothing,no click, the dash lights do not waver nothing. i see the confusion about the key. i meant that i turned the key over in the slot. i will check the starter, it just seems odd that it makes no noise at all, and on this car you have to remove the air box and computer to get to the starter. i am afraid the computer is not reading the key. that would be an expensive dealer only repair. even getting a key is over $500 here

 

went out today to work on it, turned the key and it started as usual. repeated about 20 times, started every time. frustration how can i drive it knowing it will fail again sometime? went ahead and pulled the air box and ecu to check connections at starter. nothing wrong all tight.checked starter solenoid- ok . maybe it is a computer glitch, still how can i trust it?

 

Ok then check battery connections one may be a bit loose giving power to the dash lights but not for the starter

 

i had pulled both battery connections to charge the battery, chg and load test batt ok. cleaned and reinstalled cables and tightened them, made no difference. pulled air box to chk starter connections and starter. nothing found. reassembled air box, greased ecm plugs with that special grease and reinstalled. chk start, no start. same action like starter was not connected to switch. found i had not reinstalled plug to throttle body, the retainer had broken off the plug, pluged it in, car started as normal another 20 times, drove it around to get it hot. started another 20 times.seems unlikely starter was in same circuit as throttle body, but it is a volvo. will re post if fails again.

 

Well if it works now good but the key sometimes gives problems the key ignition switch fail , good luck

 

thanks, that type of failure is always on my mind. here otherwise good volvos are being scrapped for having lost the key.right now there is a nice o7 s40 at a bargain price except lost key. i drove mine today and when i got home, the battery failed of course it takes a special battery, it has premium sound and it is a volvo. about $300 in local stores. i found one for $100 on face book. it is new, but of course an off brand. on we go.