I'm having problems starting my 1998 Volvo S40. The local Volvo garage cannot figure out the problem.
The car starts first time when it is cold or has not been driven for a couple of hours. However after a journey it will not start. It will turn over but will not start. I have to wait and eventually it will start.
My local Volvo garage plugged in their computer and advised that the Catalytic converter should be replaced. I did this, but I am still having the same problem! Also I had the fuel pump replaced.
Can anyone advise me?
thanks

 

Any coolant temp sensor codes?

DId they check to see what signal is missing when it won't start?

 

I had a similar problem earlier this year with my 2001 Volvo S40 T4.
I never had any problems starting cold the car would start instantly. But after a drive where the engine got nicely warmed up, it would take a little while to get it started. Then it got worse, I ended up having to leave around 1 and half hours before I could start again, at this point the engine management light came on. So I got an reader and found the there was only misfires error code. So I cleared the code to see if it would pop up again. As the problem got worse I started get problems where the cars rev would 'stick' at around 2000rpm Anyway the engine management light came back on, so I re-read the codes and now there was one for the coolant sensor. I ordered a replacement coolant sensor and thermostat (have to remove themostat housing to get to the sensor) and changed both, reset codes again and the problem was gone. Was the first work I have done myself and was really easy + parts are cheap ...

So the sensor was faulty for a while before it started to show up any error codes with the Engine Management. The other problem I had, is that the car was consuming fuel faster, M.P.G. dropped from about 30-32 to 27-29. Hope this helps.

 

Hi there, thanks for the replies.
tech;
I don't have any of the codes that they got, they did mention that with it being an older model the computer isn't as precise as it is with the newer cars. I'm taking it in on Tuesday so I'll ask about the codes and about the signal, thanks.
mrneb;
It's interesting you say about the MPG as I'm pretty sure that has deteriorated recently. Your description is exactly what I'm experiencing.

The engine management light has only come on once, and that was after it stalled and I had to push start it down a hill. The garage then cleared the codes and couldn't replicate the problem.

Also after a long drive I've noticed that if I leave the engine running it stutters when idling until it eventually stalls.

Thanks