hello, everyone. I just bought a 2000 Volvo s40 and drove fine for 3-4 days. Then, it was raining one day here in Florida and the car suddenly just stopped on the highway. I towed it to home and it never started since then.
When I turning the key, there is some type of sound coming out of the right side of engine bay area, similar to sound of motorcycle fuel pump kicking in before it starts. The starter won't crank. I connected regular code reader, it shows no codes. Checked underneath the car, previous owner did an oil pan repair (there was a big crack there before), and the car was leaking oil. Bought new oil pan (why in the hell do you want to repair this, it doesn't cost arm & leg to get a new one), fill the engine with new oil, no difference.
the only message shows on the dashboard - skid service requested - but it was there since I got the car and it started fine. So now I have no idea what is wrong with it. Usually the computer always helps but in this case no crank, no codes, good battery (even tried to jump start it) - and I'm confused big time.
any ideas what could be wrong?

 

Could be the alternator. Have you tested your battery to validate that you ar getting proper voltage?

 

I didn't know alternator has to do something with the car cranking... I can't obviously test it without the car running.

 

Here's what Pierre is suggesting:

Test the battery across the terminals using a volt meter. You should see 12.5 or 12.6 volts. If you have less than 10, it means you have a dead cell and you need a new battery. If your alternator failed and the car died, it means the battery drained and couldn't mantain voltage to operate the computers, relays etc.

If you have 12+V, you can try to jump start the car. If the battery is weak, the starter will engage the solenoid/gear but won't have enough power to crank the engine. The sound you are hearing is likely the vacuum pump (it kicks in to build vacuum in the brake booster on a cold start).

If the car does start with a jump, then you should measure the voltage across the battery with the engine running. You should see about 14 to 14.5 volts. If you 12ish, the alternator is not charging.

 

I tried to jump start the car but nothing happens.
Even without jump starting, when you turn ignition key, everything lights up, and stays lit even when you try start the car. From my experience with other cars, when there is a dead battery in the car, all the dash lights go off when you turn ignition key. So I don't think battery is the problem, however, will try new battery. But I doubt it will help

 

When you turn the key to start, do you hear the solenoid click? The problem may be the solenoid.

TF

 

Check the relays and the fuses?

 

Sounds like a battery/alternator issue. The cars computers need about 10 volts to run the car.....anything below that and the computer will shut down and the car will stop. If the battery has a dead cell it is quite possible that even jumping it will not provide enough power to start it. Did you happen to see the red battery/alternator light on the dash come on before it died??

 

Maybe you should also inspect the belts. Have a look at the top passenger side corner. There should be a pulley clearly visible there (power steering). Is the belt there? Is it in good shape? Does it smell the same burning smell that you noticed when the car stopped running? I wonder if maybe one of the pulleys seized on you. To inspect the timing belt just pop the plastic engine covers off. Do the same thing. Look, smell, observe. Hopefully timing belt is all good. You