S70 not starting...
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Joined: Jul 2007
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S70 not starting...
Hi, I have a 2000 S70 with a little over 100k km on the dial.
This morning, after a lot of recent precipitation (we keep it in the driveway outdoors) the car would not start. Symptoms were: turned the key and all warning lights flashed only during startup attempt with clicking noise. No clicking noise from starter motor. Checked the battery, it was fully charged. I used the boost function of my charger to start the car. It started fine. Turned off the car, left charger on for a few minutes anyway. Car proceeded to start without charger boost. Drove car a couple of km, turned off car, it started fine again. My wife took the car, drove around, left it sitting for a while, and it again started fine. After a few hours of sitting in the driveway, it now will not start again, same symptoms.
Weird that the dashlights click and flicker during startup attempt - is there a short? Why would it work after slightly boosting the battery? Is it possibly a moisture problem? (we've been having a lot of rain lately).
Any advice before I take it to be looked at and repaired would be appreciated. Of course, it happened on a Friday ;-)
This morning, after a lot of recent precipitation (we keep it in the driveway outdoors) the car would not start. Symptoms were: turned the key and all warning lights flashed only during startup attempt with clicking noise. No clicking noise from starter motor. Checked the battery, it was fully charged. I used the boost function of my charger to start the car. It started fine. Turned off the car, left charger on for a few minutes anyway. Car proceeded to start without charger boost. Drove car a couple of km, turned off car, it started fine again. My wife took the car, drove around, left it sitting for a while, and it again started fine. After a few hours of sitting in the driveway, it now will not start again, same symptoms.
Weird that the dashlights click and flicker during startup attempt - is there a short? Why would it work after slightly boosting the battery? Is it possibly a moisture problem? (we've been having a lot of rain lately).
Any advice before I take it to be looked at and repaired would be appreciated. Of course, it happened on a Friday ;-)
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5
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RE: S70 not starting...
Sorry for the late reply, but it was the battery. I should have known better because EVERY SINGLE European car that I've owned, no matter how good the car (and I've owned a 911) has come with a sh*tty Euro battery that's not made to last. Got one with a 5-year replacement warranty for about $100 and we're back in business.
I didn't have an ammeter, only the volt meter on the recharger - which is what threw me off. With a full voltage indicated, either the battery is completely messed up (which it was) or something in the ignition circuit would be at fault (not a happy prospect).
One little point for all of you who haven't swapped a battery in an S-70: it's a bit funky, without ANY tie-down wires or straps. There's a lip to hold the battery edges down and a plastic clip that snaps on to hold the battery from sliding back and forth. MAKE CAREFUL NOTE of how the clip is attached so you won't get frustrated later. It goes on over the entire plastic holder, not just the battery (if that makes any sense). Typically Volvo, it works like Lego or Tupperware, so once you get the hang of it, you'll love it for life and maybe even try it over a couple of times just because it's kind of fun.
I didn't have an ammeter, only the volt meter on the recharger - which is what threw me off. With a full voltage indicated, either the battery is completely messed up (which it was) or something in the ignition circuit would be at fault (not a happy prospect).
One little point for all of you who haven't swapped a battery in an S-70: it's a bit funky, without ANY tie-down wires or straps. There's a lip to hold the battery edges down and a plastic clip that snaps on to hold the battery from sliding back and forth. MAKE CAREFUL NOTE of how the clip is attached so you won't get frustrated later. It goes on over the entire plastic holder, not just the battery (if that makes any sense). Typically Volvo, it works like Lego or Tupperware, so once you get the hang of it, you'll love it for life and maybe even try it over a couple of times just because it's kind of fun.
Joined: Oct 2007
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RE: S70 not starting...
just changed my battery and I am having problems with the plastic clip I thought I had a good idea of how and were it goes but it seems like it will only go toward the end of the tray and then dies not seem very secure like if you hit a small bump it would come loose any suggestions ????? [X(]
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5
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RE: S70 not starting...
Sounds like you're either installing the clip wrong or the battery does not have the correct base. It should snap on with the "C" portion holding the battery and the tray together. It will not appear secure if it is on incorrectly.
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Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Columbus, OH
RE: S70 not starting...
I did this once too and could not get the clip on the battery and the tray. My problem was that the battery was just a little bit differnent and it would not go over the lip. Took the battery back and made sure I got the exact match the 2nd time. Had to switch to a different brand at AutoZone.
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From:
RE: S70 not starting...
ORIGINAL: thomaskr
Sorry for the late reply, but it was the battery. I should have known better because EVERY SINGLE European car that I've owned, no matter how good the car (and I've owned a 911) has come with a sh*tty Euro battery that's not made to last. Got one with a 5-year replacement warranty for about $100 and we're back in business.
I didn't have an ammeter, only the volt meter on the recharger - which is what threw me off. With a full voltage indicated, either the battery is completely messed up (which it was) or something in the ignition circuit would be at fault (not a happy prospect).
One little point for all of you who haven't swapped a battery in an S-70: it's a bit funky, without ANY tie-down wires or straps. There's a lip to hold the battery edges down and a plastic clip that snaps on to hold the battery from sliding back and forth. MAKE CAREFUL NOTE of how the clip is attached so you won't get frustrated later. It goes on over the entire plastic holder, not just the battery (if that makes any sense). Typically Volvo, it works like Lego or Tupperware, so once you get the hang of it, you'll love it for life and maybe even try it over a couple of times just because it's kind of fun.
Sorry for the late reply, but it was the battery. I should have known better because EVERY SINGLE European car that I've owned, no matter how good the car (and I've owned a 911) has come with a sh*tty Euro battery that's not made to last. Got one with a 5-year replacement warranty for about $100 and we're back in business.
I didn't have an ammeter, only the volt meter on the recharger - which is what threw me off. With a full voltage indicated, either the battery is completely messed up (which it was) or something in the ignition circuit would be at fault (not a happy prospect).
One little point for all of you who haven't swapped a battery in an S-70: it's a bit funky, without ANY tie-down wires or straps. There's a lip to hold the battery edges down and a plastic clip that snaps on to hold the battery from sliding back and forth. MAKE CAREFUL NOTE of how the clip is attached so you won't get frustrated later. It goes on over the entire plastic holder, not just the battery (if that makes any sense). Typically Volvo, it works like Lego or Tupperware, so once you get the hang of it, you'll love it for life and maybe even try it over a couple of times just because it's kind of fun.
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rideagiant
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Sep 10, 2009 07:56 AM
