My daughter has had her 2000 S40 for about 4 months now and our problem is getting worse. She can start the car, drive to school, attemps to leave for lunch...but the car will not turn over. Lights come on but turning the key doesn't start the car. She can wait about 30-45 minutes and then try again and usually the car would start. We have taken the car to a Volvo dealer in hopes of getting this problem resolved. They suggested to change the main computer at $1,000.00. That did not cure the problem. As a matter of fact, it is getting worse. Now she must wait 1-2 hours. Last night she waited 3 hours. We cannot continue taking the car to Volvo to have them guess the problem by changing this and that and then trying to see if the problem still exists. The last time we went in they stated it was some kind of problem in the automatic shifter and it would be another $300.00. Not believing them we left.This car has become the "Money Pit" andwe are contemplating getting rid of it.Has anyone else experienced this situation and what did you do to remedy the problem?Sincerely appreciate any advice. Thanks.

 

Is thecheck engine light on? How many miles?From what you have explained, I would check the fuel pressure regulator and make sure their is no leak.( It is less than $200 for parts and labor) or check the coolant temp sensor because that is a common part to go bad and what it will cause is hard starts and all other types of issues. I had a similar problem and my car was not starting right away and the culprit was the fuel pressure regulator.

 

I had the same problem with my car and what it turned out to be was the gear selector switch, the car would think it was in drive or reverse when infact it was in park..so it wouldnt start until it reset itself. the part cost 145.00 + 300.00 labor and the cars been starting up fine since.

 

Did this fix the problem? I have a 2000 S40 and I have EXACTLY the same problem. I've had it in the dealer 2x and the last time they thought it was the battery, so now I have a new battery! If the gear selector switch fixes this, I will mention this to them because this is VERY annoying! Thanks.

 

One somewhat easy way to test is to run a wire with a light bulb to the small wire on the starter. When it won't start see if the bulb is lighting up when the key is turned. If the bulb lights up the starter is bad. If the bulb doesn't light up the PNP might be the problem.

 

i have a 1998 2.0l S40, it started to delay when cranking the engine, eventually (3mths) it stopped cranking at all, I replaced the battery as suggested still woudnt start. i took it to a local volvo dealer they advised a new aternator, this i replaced myself. still the engine wouldnt crank all other electrics worked fine. whilst jump starting the car i put the negative lead onto the engine block and it started imediatley, upon investigation i found the earth lead from the battery to the block was broken, replaced it and it now starts first time every time. i would suggest next time this s40 doesnt start run a jump lead from the negative terminal to the block see if it starts then.