"Start prevented, try again," my car says at an ever annoying rate. I have had it checked once (computer cleared) and it still happens. Most recently, when I tried to leave a busy take-out place tonight with friends waiting on me for dinner. It took about 20 minutes to "fix" this time. Longest delay so far. I've been warned about switching keys, even though I have only ever used one. Other forums talk about a chip in the key that isn't connecting to an antennae somewhere. This is the kind of thing that makes you want to sell a car.I want this problem to go away. My service shop doesn't seem to know what to do. Anything I can direct them with?

 

AFAIK it is the engine imobilizer antenna. It is located in the steering column around the key hole. It is a common problem with the earlier models. If I remember right, the fix is to replace it.

Check over at Volvospeed. It seem to recall seeing a few messages about it over there. I seem to recall there was a procedure you could go through locking and unlocking the doors with the key that helped "reacquaint" the car with the key a little more quickly.

 

If you use the same key every time and don't have other car keys on the key chain, the most likely fix is what is called an "anntenna ring". It is located directly around the ignition lock and can be accessed by removing the steering column cover. (3 25T screws on the bottom the top snaps off; one clip on "anntenna ring itself".) the part is about a $100. A hard reset is amore likly temporaryto fix this problem.

 

I have a 2002 s60 with 53K on it.
I got this message too. I have only ever gotten it twice, and that has happened in the last 2 months. My car is currently in Service at Volvo for the Fuel Pump Recall issue (see other thread I posted on today) My car was/is exhibiting all the symptoms - hard to start, gas smell.

Now I attribute the message to the fuel pump issuse - could that be your problem?

 

The "Start prevented, try again" message should not be related to the fuel pump issue. S.P.T.A is a security feature. Not a safety or fuel issue.

 

Granted, Im mostly clueless about cars....but doesnt a leaky fuel pump constitute a security/safety issue?

 

A security feature means it is part of the anti-theft system on the car.

 

Fish,
My car is doing the same thing 03/S60.Did youtry to make the fix yourself?Twice this week I got no juice to the engine and had toplay the wait game. Help

 

Had the same problem on 2003 xc70. Have only used one key with the car since purchase. Tried a different key 8 hours later and worked fine so now am wondering if just waiting solved the problem. Have not retried the old key but will do that tonight. I understand there is a chip in the key itself and had just assumed it had failed.

 

I wanted to let everyone know this post helped me out the other day. I was very far from a dealer but an excellent local shop helped me out and I'd like to think the information I gave them about the antennae ring helped. Total cost was $275. I'm relieved this problem is gone now. My advice is if you start getting this problem, realize it will get worse and eventually fail. I was lucky I was parked at home when it happened.

 

Just had this happen to my '05 S60 T5 for the first time, this thread definitely helped. Looks like be making plans to have the antennae ring fixed in the near future...

 

Recently had this start happening when I use a car starter. Each time the car attempts to start the message is displayed. Car starts fine with the fob, only other light is CEL for small emissions leak. Car starter problem? Antenna ring problem? Something else? 06 S60R. Thanks guys.

 

I have the same issue. I get the SPTA code on the dash. I replaced the antenna with a junk yard one and got the same issue. Is there a chance that the junk yard one was bad? I only have one key... so I can't really troubleshoot. My plan is to have a key made and see if that resolves it.

 

I had the same message show up on my 2004 S60. My husband and I sat there, frustrated for hours, thinking my car would never start again. I searched through these threads trying to find ANYTHING that might be even the littlest bit helpful, when I read something that mentioned the antenna inside the ignition and that it has to be able to communicate with the chip inside of the key in order to start. Earlier that day, I'd purchased a little car accessory thing from the dollar store. Basically, it was a ring of sequins that fit perfectly around the spot the key goes in to start the car and made it look pretty. I called it my "bling". Well, turns out that the stupid little thing was somehow messing up the cars ability to send messages to and from my key so the car wouldn't start. How dumb did I feel? I pulled it off and the car started right up, without any message on the dash. Just like that! So, I thought I should post my experience on here and hopefully save other people the headache of trying to figure out why the heck their volvo suddenly refuses to start for absolutely no logical reason. Hope it helps!