i have 2001 volvo s40. it works well till some time last July 2010.

Suddenly it did not start. I towed it to local mechanic, it turned out one of the fuse, 20 amp, labeled "ecm - immobilizer, engine relay" was blown. they replaced it but could not find the reason why. It needed a new starter if it got blown again - they said.

Car worked fine till August 2010 and my wife reported that it did not start. She tried in the day time. Then, after works, i replaced the fuse and it started again.

Then, a month later, Sep 2010, i drove it to the beach for 4 hours, then made 3-4 small stops with no problems restarting. Then, suddenly, the fuse got blown. Immediately, i changed the fuse. To my surprise, it got blown again the first time i tried to restart. Then, i waited for 1.5 hours ( to replicate when it happened to my wife), changed the fuse and it worked like a charm.

My question is that: should i replace the starter? fuse that got blown is 20 amp and starter fuse is 40 amp. It seems to me that i need to replace the "ecm for immobilizer" or "engine relay" if there is such component.

Thanks.

 

You might have an issue with the induction hose from the air box to the turbo.
If it is only the fuse for the ECM. When it will not start does the starter turn at all?

 

Here's a question. Did anyone change the spark plugs recently? A lot of times the wiring harness that leads to the coil packs and the CCV sensors on the front of the cams (I believe that s40's only have one) can get caught under the plastic cover. If it is tightened down it can break the plastic covering and shorting to the valve cover. Thus causing the ECM fuse to blow. I'd check for exposed wiring shorting out the fuse.

 

Not at all. Totally dead.

 

Spark plugs were changed about 1 year ago, right after i bought it in July 2009. Ignition coils were changed about 3 months ago. both of them. Thank you for the CCV info because the next day, my engine light was on and the error message was P0013. I googled it up and one of the possible answer is "CCV" cover. I am going to try this one.

 

Sorry, How do i check "induction hose to the turbo" ? also, where do i find the CCV sensors ( canister close valve, right? ) i googled at autozone.com but it does not have any parts named ccv sensor. thanks.

 

Do you mean CVV as in Camshaft Variable Valve (T)iming solenoid, aka CVVT? Those wires are right there by the coils.

 

RVA_Tech, that is it, i think. I opened up the engine cover and one of the wire got stuck with the bolt that hold the engine cover. it was burnt. I drove around and P0013 did not come up. I hope that would take care of it.

Thanks much.

Regarding not starting - i may want to try the Neutral Safety Switch. Autozone has it for $97 but i cannot return it and so far i could not find it in the car ( but i did not look hard). well, car is running without engine light on so if i just use it locally; it should ok in the short term.