Hi!

I've been having intermittant problems with my 2004 Volvo S40. For the past two weeks the car has required several attempts before turning on completely. My mechanics have been trying to search for the solution, but I thought it'd be good to get additional input.

First they thought it was the coolant sensor, but the problem persisted after it was replaced. Then they thought it was the computer, and then the immobilizer. Now they're back to thinking it's the computer, and that it has to be replaced.

Anyone had a similiar experience? The car runs normally once the engine starts properly.

HELP!

 

does it crank when you try to start it? or just not turn on at all.

does it happen if the car sits a bit? or even if it was just runing.

 

Yes, it sounds like it's about to turn on, then just dies. All the lights come up on the dash.

It's been more likely to happen in the morning, after my car's been parked for a few hours, but it's happened after I've run into a store for 5 minutes too.

 

after is had been parked over night in the morning pull off the vacuum line from the fuel pressure regulator and see if gas drips out. if gas does drip out then you know the fuel pressure reg is bad.

 

+1 tony

 

whats the verdict.

 

I made this same comment in another thread here. The cheapest (free) test is to check your battery and starter grounds. Where ever they're located on your car. Hard experience in the Harley and Ford worlds taught me that the grounds can corrode or come loose. Starters flow a lot of juice, but can't with a poor ground. It doesn't have to be entirely loose, corrosion or semi-loose can cause enough resistance to prevent it from cranking. I assume that's what you mean by "almost" starting. And it can be intermittent depending where the straps/cables end up each time.

 

Ok, so I took my car to the Volvo dealership yesterday for a second opinion (I typically take my car to an independent Volvo specialist).

The dealership also told me it was the fuel pressure regulator, and said nothing about the computer. So, I decided to get it replaced, hoping it would solve my problem. Several hundred dollars later, my car wouldn't start again this morning!

I took it back to the dealer today and they haven't been able to replicate the problem since I dropped it off. Although it's happened intermittantly throughout the day, it seems to always happen in the morning. They're planning to keep it overnight and test it again.

Any idea what the problem could be now? I'll have to ask if they checked the battery and starter grounds, but I assumed they did a full inspection.

ahhhh!

 

well to start the should of tested the fuel pressure reg before replacing it. fuel pressure regs never get *kinda bad* either they work, or dont work at all. so on that note, i think they just raped you on the money.... sorry man

on the issue of still having issue starting. when and if u have trouble starting right away check for fuel pressure (there is a valve up on the fuel rail, take off the cap and push in the valve, watch out for the fuel spray) if it sprays you have pressure, if not you dont have pressure and it could be a fuel pump relay or pump.

if it sprays next you need to check for spark.

side thought: i wonder if a faulty/going MAF sensor could do that.... hmmm any check engine lights?

 

The check engine light does come on when the car won't start, but so do most of the other lights on the dash.

I'll have to check with the mechanic on Monday about the other issue you mentioned. This whole thing is getting so frustrating, so thanks again for the suggestions!

 

the check engine light should come on if the car is not started, but once started it should be off.